FIDH URGES EU NOT TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH ARMENIA

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[06:30 pm] 14 November, 2006

On the occasion of the three Cooperation Councils between the European
Union (EU) and Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, to be held on 13 and 14
November 2006, and which should lead to the adoption of three Action
Plans with those countries, the International Federation for Human
Rights (FIDH) wishes to express various concerns about the situation
of human rights in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

FIDH also wishes to make recommendations aimed at improving that
situation. We hope that, within the framework of strengthened
bi-lateral relations, the EU will relay those recommendations.

FIDH published recently three notes on the human rights situation in
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and stressed out the need of quick
and effective reactions of the authorities in order to improve the
human rights situation in those countries.

Despite the diversity of the situations in the region and the various
intensity of violations, FIDH is preoccupied by worrying trends within
the three countries and particularly by: the persistence of torture,
ill-treatments and excessive use of force by public authorities ; the
culture of impunity including for many serious human rights violations
and which is a main hurdle to the promotion and protection of human
rights ; the repression of human rights defenders, journalists,
political opponents, and the obstacles to the right to freedom of
assembly and to the freedom of the media.

Furthermore, FIDH regrets that NGOs have not been sufficiently
associated by the European Commission to the preparation of the
Action Plans and hopes that their views will be taken into account
in the framework of the follow-up of the Action Plan. NGOs should
be systematically consulted in the process of preparation of the
Commission’s regular report on the Action Plans’ implementation.

OVERVIEW OF MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA The
Republic of Armenia presents a contrasted picture as far as respect for
Human Rights is concerned. On paper, they are pretty much a model for
the South Caucasus region as they have ratified most of the European
Human Rights instruments and conducted major law reforms in conformity
with them.

However the following concerns are noticeable: although the country
showed exceptional growth over the last years, the economic and social
situation does not benefit equally to the whole population. The failed
transition from a soviet communist system to a liberal economy created
enormous disparity between an elite group of persons or clans, who,
on the one hand, monopolised the majority of the resources, and the
rest of the population on the other. Although the country witnesses
the emergence of a middle-class, it is still at the very bottom of
the social scale.

Furthermore, these new wealthy people, which are interrelated
with the spheres of political power, have instituted private armed
polices, thus subjecting the country and the citizens to tangible
threats and acts of violence, be they motivated by political or
economic reasons. In addition, the country witnesses a high level of
institutional corruption, endemic in the whole region.

Factual anti-democratic events are perceived as a growing and
threatening trend over rights and freedoms before crucial parliamentary
elections in 2007 and presidential election in 2008. A population
indifferent to internal politics, an ethnically homogeneous country,
a strong support from the Diaspora are all factors that ease the
ruling of the country but also enable abuses by the holders of
power. Political and economic powers enjoy impunity.