MEMBER OF ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO PACE: WE ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE ASSEMBLY’S POSITION IN RESPECT TO ARMENIA

APA
June 25 2009
Azerbaijan

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubayli – APA. The Document 11962 "The functioning
of democratic institutions in Armenia" prepared by co-rapporteurs on
Armenia Georges Colombier (France) and John Prescott (United Kingdom)
was presented at the plenary meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) on June 24, APA’s Europe bureau
reports. The rapporteurs spoke about the state of democracy in the
country and touched on the main problems.

French co-rapporteur Georges Colombier highly appreciated the act of
amnesty adopted in Armenia and said the decree is applicable not only
to the imprisoned persons, but also to the persons, who hid from the
police during March happenings.

"If they surrender to the law-enforcement bodies by July 31, 2009, the
amnesty will also be applied to them. It should be noted that PACE had
a great role in the adoption of the amnesty. I think independent and
transparent investigation should be carried out concerning the March
happenings and this process should be completed. Moreover, there is
a need for reforms in the judicial and police system. Reforms should
also be carried out in Armenia concerning the right of election in
the mayor elections. We, co-rapporteurs, consider that under the
present circumstances PACE Monitoring Committee should support the
reforms carried out in Armenia," he said.

The other co-rapporteur John Prescott said the problems have not been
completely solved in Armenia, but important steps have been taken in
accordance with PACE requirements.

"Anyway, we will continue expressing our concern, advance our work
in the Monitoring Committee," he said.

Following this, discussions began on the report. Most parliamentarians
expressed their concern over the state of human rights and democracy
in Armenia.

Zaruhi Postanjyan, member of Heritage faction of Armenia, criticized
Armenian government. She said the Armenian people are disappointed,
as Armenian government does not fulfill the commitments undertaken
vis-a-vis the PACE.

"I also want to express my dissatisfaction with PACE that prefers
more geopolitical and other interests," she said.

According to Zaruhi Postanjyan, the police system in Armenia is fully
dependent on the government, no political conditions have been created
for independent and alternative mass media, fundamental freedoms.

"Despite all this, no sanction is imposed on the country. The present
political system in Armenia does not meet criteria of the Council
of Europe. The attitude towards the criminal Armenian government,
this position confuse the Armenian people. Therefore I consider that
we should use more effective means within PACE in order to establish
justice," she said.

The document was put to the vote and adopted.