ARMENIAN JUSTICE MINISTER AND CE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MEET

arminfo
2008-03-13 14:29:00

ArmInfo. Armenian Justice Minister Gevorg Danielyan met with CE
Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg who is in Armenia
to get first hand view of the situation after the State of Emergency
Declaration in the country and to favour an effective protection of
fundamental human rights.

Press Secretary of Armenian Justice Minister Lana Mshetsyan told
ArmInfo that Commissioner Hammarberg stated that international law
provides for imposition of the State of Emergency and asked for
legal grounds for State of Emergency declaration in Yerevan. He was
satisfied with the explanations and comments he was provided with
and stressed the necessity of softening some provisions of the State
of Emergency Declaration. The provision restricting the media became
a topic for discussion. Thomas Hammarberg was sure that to prevent
the groundless rumors in the country it is necessary to soften the
restrictions since the law-abiding media will avoid disseminating
misinformation. In this connection, the Commissioner was informed
that some media had regularly disseminating provocations that made
the authorities resort to temporary restrictions. At the same time,
he was informed that the restrictions apply to a definite cycle,
however some media try to make the issue more acute and refrain from
publishing at all. Thomas Hammarberg also took an interest in the
inquiry of the facts that became a reason for imposing the State of
Emergency. In this connection, Minister Gevorg Danielyan stressed that
the issue is within the competence of the Prosecutor General and the
inquiry is transparent and studies all the versions. For conclusion,
CE Commission expressed desire to visit he arrestees and his request
was satisfied.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress