The Armenian society is law-abiding, unlike the authorities which never guide themselves by the Constitution, often causing the citizens to develop skepticism about their own constitutional rights, says Artak Zeynalyan, a human right activist.

“The Constitution first of all establishes frameworks for the regime so the authorities are restrained by an individual’s constitutional rights which have a direct effect,” he told Tert.am in a conversation devoted to the 17^th anniversary of Armenia’s basic law.

The activist considers the society mature enough to accept and guide itself by the principle of rule of law. “So it rests with the authorities to demonstrate a legal understanding and political will to ensure the citizens’ constitutional rights,” said the lawyer.

He noted further that the due process clause remains the most vastly breached constitutional norm.

“People do not trust the legal protection tools and they do not believe their problems will receive a fair solution in administrative institutions,” he said.

Zeynalyan then stressed the need of constitutional amendments.

“The flaws and gaps in any legal act, including the Constitution, are revealed in the course of time. So, better-aimed legal arrangements become necessary. The Armenian Constitutions has many provisions needing clarification but the most important thing is to make a slight change with the involvement of the society’s overwhelming majority to make all believe in the Constitution,” he said.

The Constitution of Armenia’s third republic was adopted in a universal referendum on July 5, 1995. Its first amendments were approved in a November 2005 referendum.