HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CRITICIZES ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES YET AGAIN

Tert.am
14:17 ~U 21.01.10

In its 2010 World Report, Human Rights Watch, an independent
organization dedicated to defending and protecting human rights, has
once again criticized the Armenian authorities on numerous counts
including lack of accountability for excessive use of force (with
particular reference to March 2008 events), torture and ill-treatment
of those in custody, intimidation and other tactics during elections,
lack of media freedom and restricting freedom of assembly.

In the aftermath of the violence of March 1-2, 2008, the report,
published yesterday, criticizes Armenian officials for not ensuring
a meaningful investigatio into the excessive use of police force and
for keeping many opposition supporters in custody on dubious charges.

"The clashes resulted in at least 10 deaths, including two security
officials and eight protestors. Soon after the March events, the
police dismissed several top officials, although none was charged
in relation to the violence. Officials claimed to have opened 200
internal inquiries into police conduct, but only four police officers
have been charged in two separate cases for excessive use of force.

"More than 50 civilians were prosecuted in relation to the March
violence, with some sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Although a
June 19, 2009 presidential pardon released many, local human rights
groups maintain that 17 opposition supporters remain imprisoned on
politically motivated charges," reads the report.

Turning its attention to the May 31, 2009 municipal elections, Human
Rights Watch states that despite European observers’ claim that "the
Yerevan City Council elections were "broadly in compliance" with
European standards, "they also documented cases of intimidation of
party proxies and domestic observers by unidentified persons." The
report also names opposition journalists who were attacked and
prevented from accessing polling stations.

In addition, Human Rights Watch states that "authorities continue to
restrict freedom of assembly by frequently denying requests to hold
rallies, usually on technical grounds. Out of 84 opposition requests
for demonstrations and rallies, only 28 were granted. Opposition
parties and some NGOs allege particular difficulties in securing
meeting venues for indoor events."

Human Rights Watch has also said that authorities’ persecution of
human rights defenders increased in the past year.

The 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in
more than 90 countries and territories worldwide.