Opposition MP briefs EU diplomats on human rights violations at protests in Yerevan

Panorama
Armenia – May 25 2022

Taguhi Tovmasyan, an MP from the opposition With Honor (Pativ Unem) bloc and the head of the Armenian parliament’s Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, on Wednesday met with ambassadors from the EU member states.

The meeting was held at the invitation of Head of the EU Delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, she said in a statement.

The lawmaker discussed with the EU diplomats issues concerning human rights violations at daily opposition protests in Yerevan.

“During the meeting, I voiced problematic issues regarding human rights violations during the whole period of peaceful protests, including the following:

– Excessive force used by the Armenian police against citizens carrying out acts of peaceful disobedience;

– Cases of violence against journalists;

– Issues on taking parliament deputies to the police stations and the violations of their immunity,” Tovmasyan said.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Kristinne Grigoryan also participated in the meeting.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS