PACE ADOPTS 1677 RESOLUTION ON THE FUNCTIONING OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
June 25, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS: "Through the adoption of a general
amnesty for the persons deprived of their liberty in relation to the
events of 1 and 2 March 2008, the Armenian authorities have complied
with a crucial demand of the Assembly with regard to the political
crisis that ensued after the Presidential election of February
2008. This, as well as the assurances given by the authorities
that they intend to conduct and conclude an impartial and credible
investigation into these events and the circumstances that led to them,
in line with the demands of the Assembly, is a clear indication of the
willingness of the authorities to overcome the political crisis and
its consequences, and to turn to a new page in Armenia’s democratic
development," says the 15th point of the Resolution 1677 adopted by
the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on the functioning of
democratic institutions in Armenia.

In the document the Assembly particularly points out that it considers
that the demands and recommendations contained in its earlier
Resolutions 1609 (2008), 1620 (2008) and 1643 (2009) form a concrete
and realistic roadmap to resolve the political crisis that ensued
in Armenia after the Presidential election in February 2008. These
demands and recommendations therefore remain fully valid.

The Assembly welcomes the proposal for a general amnesty submitted
by the President of Armenia to the National Assembly on 16 June 2009
and its prompt adoption by the National Assembly on 19 June 2009. In
relation to this amnesty, the Assembly notes that, under this amnesty,
most, but not all, persons deprived of their liberty in relation to
the events of 1 and 2 March 2008 will be released and the Assembly
will follow the developments with regard to the remaining cases.

With regard to the independent, impartial and credible investigation
into the events of 1 and 2 March 2008, and the circumstances that
led to them, the Assembly regrets the breakdown of the work of
the independent expert group to establish the facts in relation to
these events (fact-finding group) and calls upon the members of the
fact-finding group to present their findings and conclusions, possibly
in the form of individual reports, to the Ad hoc Parliamentary Inquiry
Committee. It is noted that the Assembly considers that the final
report by the Ad hoc Parliamentary Inquiry Committee will determine
whether the criteria of impartiality and credibility have been met
and whether further investigations are necessary.

The Assembly also notes about the necessity of reforms in electoral
processes and judicial system.

The Assembly strongly supports the process of democratic consolidation
in Armenia and therefore considers that the assessment of Armenia’s
compliance with the remaining demands made by the Assembly in
Resolutions 1609 (2008), 1620 (2008), 1643 (2009) should take place
in the framework of the ongoing regular monitoring procedure of the
Assembly with respect to Armenia. The Assembly invites its Monitoring
Committee to consider as a priority, within this framework, the
compliance by Armenia with the above mentioned resolutions as well
as with this resolution.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress