HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ORGANIZATION FIXES CASES OF VIOLENCE DURING ARMENIAN ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 22, 2008

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian government should
investigate alleged assaults on election observers and journalists that
marred the presidential election on February 19, 2008, Human Rights
Watch said today. According to victim testimonies taken by Human Rights
Watch, assailants beat and threatened opposition party activists,
domestic observers, and journalists who attempted to document election
fraud at polling stations during the presidential vote.

"These election-day attacks targeted the very people trying to ensure
the integrity of Armenia’s vote," said Holly Cartner, Europe and
Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The Armenian government
should carry out independent and speedy investigations to ensure
justice is served and to send the message that intimidation won’t
be tolerated."

In nine cases documented by Human Rights Watch, assailants intimidated,
threatened, and even violently attacked opposition party activists,
domestic observers and journalists at eight polling stations
in and around the capital, Yerevan. Victims variously described
their assailants as "big guys," "athletic," "tough," and apparently
supporters of Sargsian. Most victims had been attempting to expose what
they believed to be violations of electoral rules, such as incorrect
voters’ lists, intimidation of voters, violations of the right to a
secret ballot, and ballot-box stuffing. None of the victims was able
or willing to return to the polling station to continue observing
the voting.

In several incidents, the assaults took place in the presence of
police and polling station officials who did not intervene, and in
one case a police officer appeared to assist the assailants. Some
victims reported the attacks to police, who are investigating.

Human Rights Watch called on the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to look into election-related violence
and ensure that its final report on the vote records these incidents.

In one case documented by Human Rights Watch, assailants grabbed a
Ter-Petrosian proxy (a candidate’s authorized representative) at a
polling station in Yerevan, forced her into a car and drove her to
a remote area. There, they beat her in the head and face, threatened
to rape her and attack her family, and abandoned her. She eventually
made her way to a police station where she filed a complaint. She is
still suffering from headaches.

At least three journalists were attacked.

The OSCE election monitors stated that the elections were held
"mostly in line" with international commitments.