UN Department of Public Information
Contact: Information Officer Armine Halajyan
Yerevan Office (Armenia)
Tel.: (374 10) 560 212
Fax/Tel.: (374 10) 561 406
Mobile: (374 91) 20 37 25
Arbour deeply troubled about deaths during post-election protests in Armenia
Geneva, 2 March 2008– United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Louise Arbour said that she was deeply troubled following reports of
eight deaths and numerous injuries on Saturday during demonstrations in
the Armenian capital Yerevan, where a state of emergency has been declared.
The High Commissioner was particularly concerned by reports that force
had been used against peaceful demonstrators and that opposition
protestors had been detained. She called upon the authorities to
exercise the utmost restraint and to ensure that due process is followed
in the case of any detentions.
The High Commissioner recalled that Armenia is party to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which stipulates
that, even during states of emergency, fundamental rights — such as the
right to life and the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhumane and
degrading treatment — cannot be suspended. Any restrictions of rights
must be proportionate and may only be applied to the extent and duration
strictly warranted by the circumstances.