The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: info@nci.am
Website:

March 20, 2008

NCI Evaluates Recent Domestic Developments

"Armenian civil society will not succumb to reckless authorities"

Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a
public hearing which brought together social activists and NGO
representatives. The roundtable participants thoroughly discussed the
current situation in Armenia and adopted a joint statement, which they
began to circulate for endorsements from all social organizations,
civil society representatives, and intellectuals. The statement reads:

"We, the undersigned representatives of Armenia’s civil society,
hereby affirm that:

– the peaceful demonstrations and rallies, which were held following
the 2008 presidential elections in Armenia, were the manifestation of
the citizens’ dissatisfaction with the elections, accompanied as they
were by fraud and violence; these demonstrations and rallies were also
a protest against the limitations that were put on free speech, the
repression of human rights, and the impunity of the real criminals,
all of which continue to deteriorate;

– the use of brutal force against the peaceful demonstrators at
Liberty Square on the morning of March 1 and the ensuing arrests were
a confrontational and a disturbing measure taken by the authorities,
and it was the primary cause of the tragic events that unfolded on
March 1 and through the morning of March 2;

– the army’s barricading of the peaceful demonstrators and the firing
of real bullets constitute a provocation by the Armenian authorities
and a crime committed against their own people;

– the suppression of the citizens by way of media blockades and
censorship, the denial of free speech to individuals and associations,
the widespread violations and political manhunts–all of which are the
direct consequence of the state of emergency declared on March
1–stand as yet another revelation of the truly anti-democratic
substance of today’s rulers;

– the fact that the Constitutional Court did not guarantee
constitutional justice bespeaks the absence of an independent and
impartial judiciary branch in a country that has declared itself
democratic and lawful; and,

– the National Assembly’s post-election activities, and specifically
the adoption of laws that legally consolidate tyranny in
Armenia–which is a blatant violation of Armenia’s constitution and
the international conventions on the protection of human rights–once
again show that the country’s legislative branch is a mere servant of
the executive branch.

We therefore condemn the extensive and systemic fraud and violation
carried out by Armenia’s authorities during the elections, the
post-election violence, the abrogation of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, and the political manhunts, all of which were masked under
the pretext of "preventing the danger that threatens constitutional
order and defending the people’s rights and lawful interests."

We demand that the authorities:

– release all political prisoners forthwith and cease the "witch
hunt," the large-scale pursuit and intimidation of Armenian citizens
carried out by the National Security Service and the Police
Department;

– undo the changes made in Armenian law with respect to the legal
consolidation of power and the limitation of human rights and
fundamental freedoms; and,

– put an end to untrue, provocative, intolerant, and biased media
coverage, which result from the authorities’ unlawful and total
control of the media.

We ask that the international community:

– conduct an independent inquiry to reveal the real culprits of the
events of March 1 and 2, and

– take preventive measures against the limitation of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in Armenia, and contribute to the establishment
of institutions that are guided by truly democratic values.

We declare that Armenia’s civil society is determined to fight for the
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and it will not
succumb to the arbitrary rule and suppression of the authorities.

‘Against Legal Arbitrariness’ NGO
‘Armenian Ecotourism Association’ NGO
‘Asparez’ Journalists’ Club
Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
‘Cooperation for Democracy’ NGO
‘Helsinki Civil Assembly’ NGO
Helsinki Civil Assembly Vanadzor office
‘Huis’ NGO
‘Krtutian Asparez’ NGO
‘Lawyers for Human Rights’ NGO
‘Menk+’ NGO
‘Rights and Freedom Center’ NGO
‘St. Sandukht’ NGO
The Soldier’s Protection Committee
Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center
Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development
‘Victims of State Needs’ NGO
Women’s Republican Council
‘Women’s Resource Center" NGO
‘Young Conservatives’ NGO
‘Youth for Democracy’ NGO
‘Zartonk-89′ NGO
National Citizens’ Initiative

March 20, 2008
Yerevan"

For further information on the national Citizens’ Initiative, please
call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email
info@nci.am; or visit