JOHN PRESCOTT WELCOMES THE LIFTING OF TWO PROVISIONS OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
11.03.2008 10:29

John Prescott (United Kingdom, SOC), Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly (PACE) rapporteur on the Armenian elections, today welcomed
the lifting of two provisions of the State of Emergency declaration
by the Armenian authorities.

"I especially welcome the lifting of the suspension of the activities
of political parties and NGOs, which I specifically called for during
my visit.

I now call upon the authorities to lift the remaining provisions
of the declaration of the State of Emergency, especially those that
limit the freedom of the media. I reiterate my conclusion that the
only manner in which the current crisis can be resolved is through
the recognition of the authority of the Constitutional Court and its
ruling on the outcome of the Presidential elections; the lifting of
the State of Emergency and the restoration of individual Human Rights
and Freedoms; the establishment of an independent inquiry into the
circumstances that led to the events on 1 March 2008; and the start
of a dialogue between all political forces on the necessary political
and electoral reform", Mr Prescott stated.

John Prescott will report on his findings and conclusions to the
President of the Assembly at the meeting of the PACE Bureau in Paris
on 13 March 2008.