Since August 2001 the Association of Investigative Journalists of Armenia (AIJA) has been publishing a monthly “black list” of the state officials, public figures, heads of state or private organizations and others who violate the right of the people to receive information. The violations they commit are registered by the Center for Freedom of Information established within the AIJA in July 2001. The purpose of the Center is the protection- through legal and civil mechanisms - of peoples’ right to receive information. Seventy names known to the public have already appeared on the list over the last two years. These officials have mostly refused journalists who seek information while conducting investigations.

The highest official in the Republic, President Robert Kocharyan, has also shown up on the list. But he is not alone; he is accompanied by the Chairmen of the Presidential Commissions on Human Rights and on Citizenship Issues as well as by the President’s Chief of Staff.

The executive branch of power is the most active in the cause of disregarding citizens’ requests, and some ministries are permanent guests on the list. Thus, for denying the right of citizens to receive information, the blacklist includes the Prime Minister (4 times), the Minister of Ecology (6 times), the Minister of Internal Affairs (3 times), the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2 times), the Minister of Health (2 times), the Minister of Energy (3 times), the Minister of Trade and Economic Development (3 times), the Minister of Education and Science (2 times), and the Minister of State Revenues (2 times). Appearing once are the Ministers of Local Governance, of Culture, Sports and Youth, of Social Security, of Justice, and of Transportation and Communications. The space for the executive power on the list concludes with various government agencies and commissions, such as the government department on licences, etc. Let us note that these agencies weren’t asked to provide state secrets or other classified information. For example the Association of Investigative Jopurmalists has been asking the Ministry of Ecology for the results of an ecological inspection of the Alaverdi mountainous-mettalurgic plant (ACP CJSC) which it still hasn’t provided. The Ministry of the Interior responds to citizens’ requests by violating the time-limit established by law. And the Minisrty of Foreign Affairs didn’t find it necessary to provide the Center for Freedom of Information with its quarterly report on citizens’ appeals.

Citizens were less often denied information by the legislative branch. Or perhaps they made fewer requests. Only the Speaker of Parliament, Armen Katchatrian, appeared on the list.

The judiciary is surpassed only by the executive branch on the blacklist, featuring Chairman of the Court of Appeal for Civil Cases M. Katvalian, Chairman of the Economic Court Hovhannes Manoukyan, Chairman of the Armavir Court of First Instance Hratch Sarkissian, Prosecutor General of the Republic Aram Tamazyan, (4 times) the Prosecutor of Yerevan (2 times) and the Prosecutors of Erebuni-Nubarashen, Arabkir, and Kanaker-Zeitoun Districs of Yerevan.

The list continues with various officials of regional and local self-government. In first place is Yerevan Mayor Robert Nazarian, followed by the marzpets (governors) of Gegharkyunik, Lori, Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Shirak and Ararat.

The local government contingent is headed by former Council Chairman of the Arabkir District of Yerevan Felix Yayloyan (4 times). He is followed by the Ajapnyak and Nork Marash District Council Chairmen (2 times). Rounding out the list are community leaders from the Shengavit, Davtashen, Nor Nork. Erebuni, Malatia-Sebastia, Kanaker-Zeitoun districts. Some of the community leaders, for example, did not provide the AIJA with information about homeless and beggar children in their communities.

Political parties didn’t escape the notice of the Center for Freedom of Information either. They all appeared on the list because they ignored the written questions of the AIJA regarding their financual statements. There are 17 political parties on the list.

Strangely enough, some of our colleagues also made the list. Executive Director of Prometheus Television Company Samvel Mairapetyan, Executive Director of Armenian Public Television Armen Arzumanyan, and Executive Director of Armenia Television Company Bagrat Sarkssian, for different reasons, all ignored the written requests of the AIJA, thereby denying the constitutional and professional right of journalists to recieve information.

And finally, three international organizations, the Lincy Founadation, the Huntsman-Armenia joint-venture, and the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia left the requests of Armenian citizens unanswered.