Armenia: Commissioner Hammarberg visits Yerevan to advocate human rights
protection after post-election violence
Strasbourg, 11.03.2008 – In the aftermath of the post-election violence
in Armenia, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas
Hammarberg, will carry out a three-day visit to Yerevan starting on
Wednesday 12 March where he will meet the highest national authorities
in order to promote effective protection of fundamental human rights.
During his visit, the Commissioner will meet President Robert Kocharyan,
Prime Minister and President-elect Serghz Sargsyan, former President and
candidate Levon Ter-Petrossyan, Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosyan, the
Chairman of the Constitutional Court and the Human Rights Defender Mr
Armen Harutyunyan, as well as representatives of international
organisations, the diplomatic corps and civil society.
Commissioner Hammarberg will also visit prisons, police stations and
hospitals to meet people affected by the events.
"I am concerned about the human rights situation in Armenia and the
consequences of the declaration of the state of emergency," said Mr
Hammarberg. "It is urgent to restore a situation where the activities of
the media, political parties and non-governmental organisations are not
hindered."
Press contact:
Stefano Montanari, tel. +33 6 61 14 70 37; [email protected]
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