AGO MONITORING GROUP CALLS ON LEADERSHIP AND OPPOSITION TO POLITICAL DIALOGUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
31.03.2008 14:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ago monitoring group of the Committee of Ministers of
the Council of Europe has sent six proposals to the Armenian government
for stabilization of the domestic situation, Ago group head, Swedish
Ambassador to the Council of Europe Per Sjogren said at a joint news
conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

"The document calls on Armenia to return to democracy track. We
propose to release all political prisoners.

The Justice Ministry and Prosecutor General’s office have assured us
that all cases will be considered within shortest terms," he said.

"We believe that the Council of Europe should be informed about 102
arrested. AGO group calls for an impartial and fair investigation
into the March 1 events, at that the Armenian government could offer
international organizations a possibility to join the investigation."

Mr Sjogren said the amendments to the law on rallies and marches are
undemocratic. "These amendments were adopted without consultations
with the Venice Commission, which has already issued remarks. We call
on the leadership and opposition to political dialogue," he said.

For his part, Minister Oskanian said proposals are meant to stabilize
the internal political situation in Armenia. "We think the initiative
positive. As to dismissal of several MFA employees, it was done in
compliance with the Armenian legislation," he said.