HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEEPLY TROUBLED ABOUT DEATHS DURING POST-ELECTION PROTESTS IN ARMENIA
States News Service
March 3, 2008 Monday
The following information was released by the United Nations Office
at Geneva (UNOG):
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour
said in a statement on Sunday, 2 March 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.
For use of the information media; not an official record