OSCE OffICE IS CONCERNED OVER CASES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS
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[04:40 pm] 12 September, 2006
YEREVAN, 12 September 2006 – The OSCE Office in Yerevan issued the
following statement today:
"The OSCE Office in Yerevan is deeply concerned over recent incidents
of violence and intimidation against local journalists which have
obstructed their professional duties and infringed upon the freedom
of expression.
According to reports, on 6 September, the Editor-in-Chief of Iravunk
newspaper, Hovhannes Galajyan, was attacked and beaten by unknown
men outside his Yerevan home. On 12 July, freelance journalist Gagik
Shamshian, who works for Chorrord Ishkhanutiun and Aravot newspapers,
was threatened and abused.
The Office considers it extremely important for these cases to be
properly investigated and calls for the perpetrators to be punished
in full accordance with the law. Law-enforcement bodies are urged to
undertake prompt measures to ensure the safety of media professionals
in order to promote freedom of expression in the country.
The Office welcomes the statements by the Human Rights Defender
(Ombudsman), the President’s Press Secretary and civil society
organizations, who condemned these acts of violence against
journalists.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan will be closely following developments
related to these cases."