Commissioner Hammarberg visits Armenia to assess progress made in the
investigation of post-election events

Strasbourg, 11.07.2008 – The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human
Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, will start on Sunday a three-day visit to
Erevan to weigh the progress made in the investigation of the violent
events in connection with the demonstrations after the Presidential
election in March. He will meet with the highest national authorities
and will visit prisons accompanied by two members of his Office and
Johan Hirschfeldt, an international expert with extensive experience on
national commissions of inquiry.

"This visit is part of the ongoing dialogue with the Armenian
authorities, and follows the visits carried out last October and March"
said the Commissioner. "In my last report
< mmDH(2008)11&Language=3DlanEnglish&V
er=3D REV> on Armenia, I advocated for a comprehensive investigation
into
the 1 March events. The aim of this visit is therefore to take stock of
the progress made towards this end and gather accurate information on
the number of detainees and their judicial status" continued
Commissioner Hammarberg. "I have also taken note of the recent
Resolution adopted by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on
the functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia. In this context,
I intend to provide an international contribution towards the
improvement of the human rights situation in the country."

During his visit, the Commissioner will meet the highest State
authorities, including the President Serzh Sargsyan, leading members of
the Government, Parliament representatives, the Prosecutor General and
members of the ad hoc Parliamentary inquiry committee. Commissioner
Hammarberg will also hold further meetings with detainees and their
lawyers, the Human Rights Defender, as well as representatives of
international organisations and civil society.

Press contact:
Stefano Montanari, tel. +33 6 61 14 70 37; stefano.montanari@coe.int

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