HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IS DEPLORABLE IN ARMENIA, ANC STATES

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with the 60th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Armenian
National Congress (ANC) issued a statement, which in particular says:

"In this respect the situation in Armenia is deplorable, which
particularly became evident completely and in its disgusting details
at the last presidential election:

a) The rights of free speech, receiving information, free movement,
confidentiality in correspondence and other fundamental rights,
up to the right of life, are completely violated.

b) The right to form power by means of free elections is violated:
at the February 19 presidential election in Armenia, the overwhelming
majority of voters gave their votes to the candidate of the People’s
Movement Levon Ter-Petrosian, whereas the election results were
turned topsy-turvy and the candidate of the authorities was announced
the winner.

c) A brutal beating of the peaceful demonstrators took place in
Liberty Square on March 1, while on the evening of the same day special
antiriot weapons and firearms were used against peaceful demonstrators,
at least 10 people died.

d) Nearly 10 thousand citizens have been persecuted for their political
convictions. About 150 people were deprived of liberty for political
motives, and until now 67 of them have been political prisoners.

e) the political opposition’s 91 applications for peaceful rallies
have been rejected, the requests to be provided halls for meetings
have been rejected tens of times."