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HR Commissioner - Report on his special mission to Armenia

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  • HR Commissioner - Report on his special mission to Armenia

    Armenia: Commissioner Hammarberg releases report on his special mission

    Strasbourg, 20.03.2008 - The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human
    Rights Thomas Hammarberg, today released his special report on its
    three-day visit to Armenia, calling on national authorities to lift the
    State of Emergency and carry out a credible inquiry to clarify the
    violent events which occurred during the confrontations in Yerevan on 1
    March.

    "In the existing situation, there is a need to clarify what actually
    happened and what provoked the outbreak of violence" he said. "It is
    important to establish a comprehensive inquiry which is independent,
    impartial, transparent and perceived as credible by the whole
    population." Mr Hammarberg suggests that if the Armenian Government
    decides to seek a substantial contribution from the international
    community to conduct the investigation, it should make "a precise and
    targeted request for such assistance".

    Commissioner Hammarberg calls on the Armenian authorities to lift the
    State of Emergency and recommends that proposed changes of the law
    relating to freedom of expression and assembly only be adopted when in
    conformity with the European Convention on Human Rights.

    He also urges that all detainees who have not committed concrete acts of
    criminal violence be released and that cases of excessive force by the
    police during 1 March be investigated and those responsible held to
    account.

    The purpose of the visit was to monitor the overall human rights
    situation and the impact of the State of Emergency. From 12 to 15 March
    2008, Mr Hammarberg held discussions with the President, the Prime
    Minister and President-elect, the Foreign Minister, the Minister of
    Justice, the Prosecutor General and the Head of Police. He met also the
    President of the National Assembly, representatives of the political
    parties including those in opposition and had a separate meeting with
    former President and presidential candidate, Levan Ter-Petrosian.

    Commissioner Hammarberg also visited places of detention and interviewed
    recently arrested people. Furthermore, he visited hospitals and met
    policemen and civilians who had been injured during the violence. He
    also met with the National Human Rights Defender, defence lawyers,
    representatives of the media, non-governmental organisations as well as
    foreign diplomats and representatives of the international and regional
    organisations in Yerevan.

    Press contact:
    Stefano Montanari, tel. +33 6 61 14 70 37; [email protected]

    PRESS RELEASE
    Council of Europe Press Division
    Ref: 205a08
    Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
    Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
    [email protected]
    internet: www.coe.int/press

    To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
    [email protected]

    A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
    promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
    common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47
    member states.
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