28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Internal movement generally not restricted, case of police hindering opposition members to attend protest rally; exiting country difficult for specific groups like persons subjected to military service ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29491],  [ID 3489]

"The Government generally did not restrict internal movement, and citizens had the right to change their residence or workplace; however, corruption and an inefficient bureaucracy hindered citizens' efforts to register changes.

In April, human rights groups reported that police stopped cars from entering the capital in an attempt to prevent opposition members from attending protest rallies.

The law requires authorities to issue passports to all citizens, expect for convicted felons; however, an exit stamp may be denied to persons who possess state secrets, are subject to military service, are involved in pending court cases, or whose relatives have lodged financial claims against them. An exit stamp is valid for up to 5 years and may be used without limit. Men of military age must overcome substantial bureaucratic obstacles to travel abroad."

Document(s): Open document

16.09.2003 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Constitution provides the rights to freedom of movement; substantial bureaucratic complications for men of military service ("Background information; situation of ethnic minorities; groups possibly at risk: religious minorities, members of opposition, homosexuals, deserters") [#47207],  [ID 3490]

"85. The Constitution provides the rights to freedom of movement. There are no restrictions on internal movements and citizens have the right to change their residence or workplace freely. However, men of military service age must overcome substantial bureaucratic complications to be deregistered from one place and to be registered at another place in order to change the residence within the country.
86. The Law on Citizenship and a subsequent governmental decision require that every citizen be issued a passport when he or she reaches the age of 16. When a citizen is suspected, accused, or convicted for crimes, the law enforcement bodies or courts seize his or her passport to prevent the person from leaving the territory of the Republic of Armenia. The passport will be returned when the person is released. RA citizens who wish to travel abroad need a stamp on their passports as an exit permit. An exit stamp is valid for up to five years and may be used as many times as an individual chooses to travel. An exit stamp may be denied to those persons who possess state secrets, to those subject to military service, to those who have financial obligations towards other citizens as decided by the court."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

In order to be registered at a particular residence, a person must be either the property owner or an immediate family member of the owner ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 3491]

"The Constitution provides for these rights; however, the Government placed restrictions on some of these rights.
The Government does not restrict internal movement, and citizens have the right to change their residence or workplace freely. However, citizens must negotiate with a sometimes corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy to register these changes. In addition, registration of a residence is difficult, because in order to be registered at a particular residence, a person must be either the property owner or an immediate family member of the owner. Special written permission from the owner of the property, signed by a lawyer, is required to make a temporary or permanent registration of a non-immediate family member."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

An exit stamp may be denied in several cases ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 3492]

"The Constitution and laws require that passports be issued to all citizens except convicted felons; however, in cases of permanent residents who wish to relocate abroad permanently, an exit stamp may be denied to those persons who possess state secrets, to those subject to military service, to those who are involved in pending court cases, and to those whose relatives have lodged financial claims against them. An exit stamp is valid for up to five years and may be used as many times as an individual chooses to travel. Men of military age must overcome substantial bureaucratic obstacles to travel abroad."

Document(s): Open document