Every One of Us Disdained, Disrespected, and Devalued the Fundamental Law of Our Country - Norayr Norikyan

Lawyer Norayr Norikyan wrote on his Facebook page: "Today is Constitution Day, a national holiday celebrated since 1995. Over these years, our country's constitution has been amended twice, in 2005 and 2015. Yet, during this time, we have failed to turn our country into a constitutional one and establish constitutional supremacy.

On the contrary, each one of us has, within reasonable limits, disdained, disrespected, disregarded, and devalued our country's fundamental law. We have not accepted July 5th as a holiday, we have never made it a popular celebration, and we have shown a frivolous attitude towards the constitution, failing to exert the necessary efforts to make the norms of the constitution a norm of life.

Over the past years, many constitutional norms have either not been applied at all, or have been applied arbitrarily, interpreted according to discretion and political circumstances, and from the perspective of fragmented interests. We have demonstrated a frivolous attitude towards the constitution as our most important tool for regulating social relations and are far from the path to becoming a constitutional society.

Life has proven that the current constitution has also failed the test and has shown its lack of viability. I am deeply convinced that as long as society does not respect its law, its country’s law, and does not become constitutional, affirming constitutionalism with its will, the constitution will remain merely a beautifully written document on paper.

However, first and foremost, a qualitatively new constitution is necessary, which will be a truly legitimate fundamental law. Happy Constitution Day!"