Armenia’s constitutional reform process is entering a new stage. The full draft of the new Constitution has been completed, and the next step will be its publication followed by broad public consultations. Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan announced the development while speaking to reporters.
Draft Completed, Public Consultations Come Next
According to the minister, after taking office she made a strategic decision to abandon lengthy conceptual debates and move directly to drafting the constitutional text.
“When I was appointed minister, I said that we would no longer focus on developing the concept but instead draft the text itself. A conceptual framework already existed, although it did not address every issue. It quickly became clear that no matter how many conceptual discussions were held, consensus within the Constitutional Reform Council would not be achieved. Therefore, we decided to complete the drafting process within the Ministry of Justice and then submit the finished text for professional discussion,” Galyan said.
She noted that this stage has now been completed.
“The text is essentially complete, and we are preparing to launch public consultations. Our draft has been finalized, and the next step is to discuss it with citizens, hear their feedback and explain why specific amendments are being proposed.”
The minister stressed that the version to be published would not be the final one.
“The text that will be published is not the final draft. It must go through extensive public consultations, further revisions, refinement and public communication before becoming the final version,” she added.
From Institutional Balance to Judicial Independence
Galyan also outlined the main institutional reforms included in the draft.
According to her, the document strengthens the system of checks and balances between branches of government, expands the oversight powers of the National Assembly and reinforces judicial independence.
She said the Supreme Judicial Council is expected to receive additional powers to better safeguard judicial independence while improving transparency and accountability.
Regarding expanded parliamentary oversight, the minister emphasized that the reform does not reduce the authority of the Armed Forces.
“We are not taking away any powers from the Armed Forces. We are simply giving the National Assembly additional oversight mechanisms, for example in certain cases involving the use of the military,” she explained.
The Constitution Will Allow the Introduction of Jury Trials
Galyan also addressed the proposal, repeatedly raised by the prime minister, to introduce jury trials.
She explained that the Constitution would merely establish the legal possibility, while all procedural details would be regulated through legislation.
“In cases specified by law, trials may be conducted with the participation of juries. These matters will be regulated in detail by legislation,” she said.
The minister also clarified that the proposal has no connection with the Constitutional Court.
“The Constitutional Court is a completely separate institution that administers constitutional justice. Jury participation cannot apply there,” she noted.
Fundamental Rights Will Be Expanded
According to Galyan, strengthening the protection of human rights is one of the central objectives of the constitutional reform.
She said the draft proposes expanding the list of fundamental rights by granting constitutional status to the rights to healthcare and social security.
“Today these belong to the second generation of rights and are protected through different mechanisms. We are placing all fundamental rights within a single constitutional chapter, making them core human rights and placing greater obligations on the state to protect them,” the minister explained.
The Constitution Will Also Define Citizens’ Responsibilities
One of the key innovations of the draft is the systematic classification of both rights and responsibilities.
Galyan said that while some constitutional experts believe the Constitution should only define the obligations of the state, the authors of the draft have adopted a different approach.
“We do not share that view because citizens also have responsibilities. They are obliged to respect the Constitution and the law, parents have responsibilities toward their children, and there are other duties that already exist in the Constitution. We have simply organized them more systematically while also grouping the restrictions that apply to both the state and citizens,” she said.
A New Social Contract for Society
Summing up, Galyan stated that the success of the new Constitution will depend not only on its content but also on transparent communication with society.
“Our greatest wish is that citizens clearly understand what they are voting for or against. The Constitution should become our new social contract and define the direction in which our country will move,” she said.
What If Parliament Fails to Deliver a Two-Thirds Majority?
Asked whether the government would be able to secure the support of two-thirds of the members of parliament required for constitutional amendments, Galyan said legal experts are actively discussing the issue.
According to her, one of the central questions is whether parliament can limit the will of the people, particularly when the Constitution itself provides for resolving certain issues through a referendum.
“We need answers to these questions and must understand what the people actually want. Once we measure public opinion, perhaps the opposition will also assess it correctly and make an appropriate decision. If not, we will consider what legal mechanisms can operate to ensure that democracy does not suffer,” the minister said.
At the same time, she reaffirmed that the government has no intention of abandoning its constitutional reform agenda.
“We have our own agenda, and we are not deviating from it. At this stage, the completed draft continues to be refined,” Galyan concluded.