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BAD CONDITION: HELSINKI ASSOCIATION SAYS ARMENIA LACKS HUMAN RIGHTS RESPECT
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow
23.02.12 | 13:44
Nina Karapetyan, Mikael Danielyan
An annual report published by Helsinki Association on Wednesday shows
that Armenia continues to be challenged with gross violations of
human rights and fundamental freedoms, while authorities are doing
nothing to rectify it.
Association president Mikael Danielyan says human rights are mostly
violated at state bodies and the situation in 2011 has not improved
as compared to 2010.
"Human rights are frequently violated at state structures: police,
prosecutor's office, justice ministry-controlled inspectorates,"
he says.
The report presents the spheres where human rights are violated,
among them freedom of press, freedom of assembly, prison monitoring,
the army, courts, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)
related issues, and religious minorities.
Danielyan believes that neither the change of the Ombudsman nor
the Chief of Police have contributed to the human rights defense in
the country.
"Penitentiaries continue to be overcrowded and it's a serious issue,
convicts are tortured and subjected to inhumane and humiliating
treatment," he says, "Escaping army service Jehovah's Witnesses are
sent to prison. According to their data there are now 58 JWs serving
a sentence at penitentiaries, because they refused to serve in the
armed forces of Armenia."
Danielyan says the authorities do not respond to the complaints voiced
by human rights activists. He thinks that the authorities are not
willing to solve any issue in this sphere.
"Armenia is a state of criminals and police and military, and since
the authorities are interwoven with the regime, they are not ready
to solve any issue," he says.
Attorney Nina Karapetyan says the judicial system is in complete
dependence on the police.
"Very rarely the court changes the defendant's solicitation. The moment
the investigator enters the court with a grounding of not enough proof,
the court would satisfy it. The laws on bailing and a promise not to
leave under signature are hardly ever applied," he says.
Referring to the forthcoming May elections Danielyan predicts numerous
human rights violations.
"No change can be expected for as long as this administration
continues ruling, no fair election will be held, only fraudulent
processes by means of election bribes and falsified voting results,
because otherwise they cannot keep their hold of power," he says.
From: A. Papazian
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow
23.02.12 | 13:44
Nina Karapetyan, Mikael Danielyan
An annual report published by Helsinki Association on Wednesday shows
that Armenia continues to be challenged with gross violations of
human rights and fundamental freedoms, while authorities are doing
nothing to rectify it.
Association president Mikael Danielyan says human rights are mostly
violated at state bodies and the situation in 2011 has not improved
as compared to 2010.
"Human rights are frequently violated at state structures: police,
prosecutor's office, justice ministry-controlled inspectorates,"
he says.
The report presents the spheres where human rights are violated,
among them freedom of press, freedom of assembly, prison monitoring,
the army, courts, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)
related issues, and religious minorities.
Danielyan believes that neither the change of the Ombudsman nor
the Chief of Police have contributed to the human rights defense in
the country.
"Penitentiaries continue to be overcrowded and it's a serious issue,
convicts are tortured and subjected to inhumane and humiliating
treatment," he says, "Escaping army service Jehovah's Witnesses are
sent to prison. According to their data there are now 58 JWs serving
a sentence at penitentiaries, because they refused to serve in the
armed forces of Armenia."
Danielyan says the authorities do not respond to the complaints voiced
by human rights activists. He thinks that the authorities are not
willing to solve any issue in this sphere.
"Armenia is a state of criminals and police and military, and since
the authorities are interwoven with the regime, they are not ready
to solve any issue," he says.
Attorney Nina Karapetyan says the judicial system is in complete
dependence on the police.
"Very rarely the court changes the defendant's solicitation. The moment
the investigator enters the court with a grounding of not enough proof,
the court would satisfy it. The laws on bailing and a promise not to
leave under signature are hardly ever applied," he says.
Referring to the forthcoming May elections Danielyan predicts numerous
human rights violations.
"No change can be expected for as long as this administration
continues ruling, no fair election will be held, only fraudulent
processes by means of election bribes and falsified voting results,
because otherwise they cannot keep their hold of power," he says.
From: A. Papazian