US commission for democratic Armenia condemns violence against opposition

Arminfo
15 Apr 04

YEREVAN

The US commission for democratic Armenia expresses its deep concern
about the Yerevan events on the night of 12-13 April. A statement
forwarded to Arminfo news agency today says that the terrorist gang
acting under the name of the state law-enforcement bodies subjected
the opposition leaders, peaceful demonstrators and journalists to
brutal beatings and mass arrests.

The US commission for democratic Armenia and other human rights
organizations addressed US President George Bush, Secretary of State
Colin Powell, all senators and congressmen, condemning the bloodbath
in Armenia and calling on them to take the necessary measures to end
acts of violence and persecution continuing in the country.

The commission informs Armenia’s relevant bodies that deviation from
democracy casts an irreparable shadow on Armenia’s authority. The
night events make it possible to note that the Armenian authorities
are quite indifferent to their commitments to authoritative
international organizations.

“We warn that from now on, using all possibilities and levers, we will
disrupt all visits by Armenian officials to the USA. At the same time,
we state our fight for forming a legal government, democracy and a
civic society in Armenia,” the commission noted in the statement.