The Minister will be politically responsible - Deputy Minister of Justice Arpine Sargsyan submits package for establishment of Ministry of Internal Affairs

Today, Deputy Minister of Justice Arpine Sargsyan submitted to the National Assembly the package of the draft "On making amendments and supplements to the Law "On the structure and activities of the Government"” and of drafts attached to that draft, by which it is proposed to establish the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to Sargsyan, bodies subordinate to the Ministry will be the Police of the Republic of Armenia, the Migration and Citizenship Service and the Rescue Service. The heads of the subordinate bodies will be appointed to or dismissed from position by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, upon recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The heads of these bodies will continue to manage their services directly and on a daily basis, will bear official liability for the activities of the services, and the Minister of Internal Affairs will bear political responsibility. Through a package solution, the Ministry of Emergency Situations will terminate its activities, according to the transitional schedule.

Deputy Minister Sargsyan emphasised the advantages of having a civil ministry, noting that the formation of the Ministry will allow to first have a person responsible for policy development in the police sector, an implementer of sector-specific reforms, to have parliamentary and civil oversight over the Police — such control through the use of all tools. She also stated that in democratic states, a ministry helps to ensure development of the police as a specialised institution. Arpine Sargsyan stated that through the establishment of the Ministry, a number of public services will be provided by the Ministry itself, providing citizens with a new quality service. Sargsyan attached importance to the development of a personnel policy, emphasising the need to ensure proper education of the personnel of structures operating under the subordination of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. From this perspective, for instance, the education of a police officer must be linked to the challenges and real needs set forth for the police, not continuation of a good tradition. Accordingly, an educational complex of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be established. Touching upon the image of a policeman, Sargsyan stated that the objective is to have an image of a police officer who has integrity and professionalism and serves the public, and no effort shall be spared in this regard. Therefore, the officers must perceive the changes as a chance to ensure new quality. Sargsyan also emphasised the importance and role of engagement of international partners and civil society representatives in the implementation of reforms.

During the session, there was a question-and-answer and exchange of ideas. The package of drafts was adopted by the parliament in the first reading.