COE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT YEREVAN

armradio.am
11.03.2008 12:45

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg,
will pay a three-day visit to Yerevan to meet with the highest national
authorities in order to favor an effective protection of fundamental
human rights.

During his visit, the Commissioner will meet, among others, President
Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister and President-elect Serge Sargsyan,
former President and candidate Levon Ter-Petrossyan, Parliament
Speaker Tigran Torosyan, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court
Gagik Harutyunyan, the Human Rights Defender Mr. Armen Harutyunyan,
as well as representatives of international organizations, diplomats
and representatives of the civil society.

Commissioner Hammarberg will also visit prisons, police stations and
hospitals to meet with people affected by the events.

"I am concerned about the human rights situation in Armenia and the
consequences of the declaration of the state of emergency" said Mr.

Hammarberg. "It is urgent to restore a situation where the activities
of the media, political parties and non-governmental organisations
are not hindered."