The opposition party of Armenia 'Heritage' has organized a protest in
four Armenian cities against the Compulsory Motor Third Party
Liability (CMTPL), News Armenia reports.
Approximately 40 protestors in Yerevan gathered on Brazil Square
before driving to Government House and handing in a protest note,
demanding reconsideration of the law on CMTPL.
A member of the 'Heritage' faction, Armen Martirosyan, says that the
law implies new financial expenses for drivers. 'Heritage' is not
against the CMTPL, but believes that the law needs to be adopted when
it does no harm to citizens.
The protest note demands debates on the law on the 1st of January 2011
be put off, high prices be reduced, the maximum sum of compensation
for car accidents to be raised, the order of licensing insurance
companies to be reconsidered and the process to be more clear. They
also demand the government hold an unscheduled session on December 31.
Similar protests were seen in Gumri, Vanadzor and Armavir.
The law on CMTPL was adopted on May 18, 2010, to provide proper
compensation for damage in car accidents and protection of the
interests of injured parties.
Armenia has approximately 430,000 vehicles registered. The executive
director of INGO-Armenia Levon Altunyan says that only 10-15% drivers
have concluded CMTPL deals.
