COMMISSIONER HAMMARBERG VISITS ARMENIA TO ASSESS PROGRESS MADE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF POST-ELECTION EVENTS

armradio.am
11.07.2008 15:25

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg,
will start on Sunday a three-day visit to Yerevan 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 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,20the 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.