Armenia: Commissioner Hammarberg releases report on his special mission
Strasbourg, 20.03.2008 – The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human
Rights Thomas Hammarberg, today released his special report on its
three-day visit to Armenia, calling on national authorities to lift the
State of Emergency and carry out a credible inquiry to clarify the
violent events which occurred during the confrontations in Yerevan on 1
March.
"In the existing situation, there is a need to clarify what actually
happened and what provoked the outbreak of violence" he said. "It is
important to establish a comprehensive inquiry which is independent,
impartial, transparent and perceived as credible by the whole
population." Mr Hammarberg suggests that if the Armenian Government
decides to seek a substantial contribution from the international
community to conduct the investigation, it should make "a precise and
targeted request for such assistance".
Commissioner Hammarberg calls on the Armenian authorities to lift the
State of Emergency and recommends that proposed changes of the law
relating to freedom of expression and assembly only be adopted when in
conformity with the European Convention on Human Rights.
He also urges that all detainees who have not committed concrete acts of
criminal violence be released and that cases of excessive force by the
police during 1 March be investigated and those responsible held to
account.
The purpose of the visit was to monitor the overall human rights
situation and the impact of the State of Emergency. From 12 to 15 March
2008, Mr Hammarberg held discussions with the President, the Prime
Minister and President-elect, the Foreign Minister, the Minister of
Justice, the Prosecutor General and the Head of Police. He met also the
President of the National Assembly, representatives of the political
parties including those in opposition and had a separate meeting with
former President and presidential candidate, Levan Ter-Petrosian.
Commissioner Hammarberg also visited places of detention and interviewed
recently arrested people. Furthermore, he visited hospitals and met
policemen and civilians who had been injured during the violence. He
also met with the National Human Rights Defender, defence lawyers,
representatives of the media, non-governmental organisations as well as
foreign diplomats and representatives of the international and regional
organisations in Yerevan.
Press contact:
Stefano Montanari, tel. +33 6 61 14 70 37; [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 205a08
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:
To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47
member states.