IN OPINION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST VARDAN HAROUTIUNIAN, SANCTIONS WILL BE USED NOT TO COUNTRY BUT TO AUTHORITIES
Noyan Tapan
Jan 19, 2009
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. According to human rights activist
Vardan Haroutiunian, the Chairman of the Committee for Protection
of Political Prisoners and Persecuted People, the Armenian society
expects a right and fair position from the Council of Europe. In his
interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent he expressed confidence that
as a result of the latest visit of PACE Co-rapporteurs on Armenia
John Prescott and George Colombier Council of Europe will give an
adequate estimation to Armenia’s home political situation.
Touching upon RPA Board member Rafik Petrosian’s statement voiced
some days ago that the opposition treats the prospect of country’s
being deprived of the vote with calf’s rejoicing, V. Haroutiunian
said that sanctions will be used not to the country but to the
authorities. According to him, "being deprived of the vote in their own
country, now they will not have the vote in Europe, either." He added
that there are all bases for suspending Armenian delegation’s vote.
V. Haroutiunian confirmed the rumors in media, according to which
people imprisoned on the March 1 case are asked, made and are offered
money for writing appeals of mercy to the President. However, such
a conduct of the authorities, according to V. Haroutiunian, is
like the efforts of a drowning man clinging to foams. He stressed
that the prevailing majority of the imprisoned people refused to
introduce an appeal of mercy. "Even if 15-20 people are released,
all the same Armenia’s prisons are filled with political prisoners,"
the Committee Chairman said.