YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The following human rights orgaizations: Civil Society Institute, Helsinki Committee of Armenia, Against Legal Arbitrariness organization, and Helsinki Civil Assembly Vanadzor Office call on the National Assembly of Armenia to refrain from adopting the government-proposed amendment to the legislation on the judicial system, by which in case of a disrespectful attitude to court, the court may remove the accused person from the courtroom and continue the trial in his (her) absence. "Apart from the fact that the wording "disrespectful attitude to court" can be commented on and used in an arbitrary way, the right of any individual to be tried in his (her) presence is part of the fundamental right of fair trial and is guaranteed by a number of international documents signed by Armenia, including the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that stipulates that during an examination of any criminal charge, any person has the right to be tried in his (her) presence," in said in the statement of the human rights organizations.

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