PACE URGES ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO DISPLAY GOOD WILL
Trend News Agency
July 8 2008
Azerbaijan
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe urges the authorities
to display good will and release those who were arrested in connection
with March 1 disorders, reported ARKA.
David Harutyunyan, the head of Armenian delegation in PACE, said that
PACE proposes to use all legal mechanisms to stop prosecuting those
charged with resisting policemen.
He said that in its resolution passed on July 25, PACE, taking into
account political situation and insufficient public confidence in
the authorities, puts special emphasis on good will.
"This is considered rather political than legal step", Harutyunyan
said.
He said that PACE also paid special attention to freedom of assembly
and activity of the interim parliamentary committee that conducts
own investigation into the March events.
In particular, PACE proposes concession principle of the committee’s
activity and stressed the necessity to concentrate efforts on detecting
causes of March events and the criminal charges brought immediately
after these events.
"This is very important provision. If efforts to restore public
confidence in local institutions fail, PACE will put this issue on
its floor", Harutyunyan said.
PACE also demands to ensure transparent and just tender for
broadcasting license.
PACE voiced regret at the opposition unwillingness to make due steps
for starting a dialogue with the authorities.
Harutyunyan said that Human Rights Commissionaire will read out his
report on the committee’s activity in September.
The monitoring commission will be able to make its decision at its
session scheduled for September 11. The decision will depend on
the report.
PACE will resume hearing the matter at its January session.