OSCE IS GOING TO SUPPORT THE CONDUCT OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA IN CONFORMITY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

arminfo
2007-12-10 14:57:00

ArmInfo. Supporting the conduct of presidential elections in conformity
with international standards for democratic elections will be in the
focus of the OSCE work in 2008, the head of the OSCE Yerevan office
Sergey Kapinos said at the conference on "Human Rights and Armenian
Realities" devoted to the International Day of Human Rights being
held in Yerevan.

He also stressed the essential importance of transparent, fair
and democratic electoral processes. "Elections are the most vivid
indicator of the state of affairs in the realm of fundamental human
rights and freedoms, which are reflected in the OSCE commitments",
– the diplomat said and added that the level of democracy in a given
state cannot be judged only on the basis of the outcome of elections,
or even the observation of an election.

"A free and fair election competition is the result of a fulfillment
of commitments that span the whole spectrum of civil and political
rights, especially freedom of expression, freedom of association and
assembly. Only when these rights are guaranteed and the confidence
of voters is ensured can we talk about a truly democratic electoral
process", – S.Kapinos emphasized.

Nevertheless he added that establishing a human rights culture is
not the sole responsibility of any single group or entity. It is
a sustained effort that requires everyone’s commitment so that it
becomes an integral part of the government, the administration,
law-enforcement institutions and the population they serve.

To recall, presidential election in Armenia will take place on 19
February 2008.