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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS OF ILL-TREATMENT OF THE FOUR DEFENDANTS AND THE LACK OF AN EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THESE ALLEGATIONS
ARMINFO
Friday, January 25, 16:51
Human Rights Watch has sent a letter to the President of the Court of
Cassation of Armenia, Arman Mkrtumyan, and said it is very concerned
about the allegations of ill-treatment of the four defendants from
Armenian National Congress and the lack of an effective investigation
into these allegations.
We are writing to express our profound concern regarding the lack of
effective investigation into allegations of ill-treatment relating
to the case of Armenian National Congress activists Tigran Araqelyan,
Artak Karapetyan, Sargis Gevorgyan, and Davit Kiramijyan, accused of
disorderly conduct and violence against government representatives
during an encounter with Yerevan police in August 2011.
On July 20, 2012, the Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and
Norq-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan sentenced the four men
to between two to six years in prison on charges of violent resistance
or threat of violence against government authorities and hooliganism.
On August 20, the defense filed an appeal based on substantive and
procedural violations in the activists' case. On November 13, the
Court of Appeal rejected the appeal.
We are aware that you are at this time determining whether to hear the
cassation complaint submitted on December 23, 2012 concerning these
cases and that you will issue a decision by January 27. Irrespective
of whether the Cassation Court ultimately decides to hear these
appeals, we urge you to consider the serious and credible llegations
of ill-treatment of these four men immediately prior to their arrest
and while in police custody on August 9, 2011.
We are very concerned about the allegations of ill-treatment of
the four defendants and the lack of an effective investigation into
these allegations.
International treaties to which Armenia is a party, including the
European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
all strictly prohibit inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
This includes the right to a timely, impartial, effective
investigation capable of leading to identification and prosecution of
perpetrators. The failure to uphold these standards would constitute
serious breaches of Armenia's international obligations.
Your honor, we hope that the Court of Cassation will be fully mindful
of the above information as it relates to the case, and that it
reviews all aspects of the case in accordance with Armenia's binding
human rights obligations.
Human Rights Watch believes that it is very important that given the
credible allegations of ill-treatment in this case, and Armenia's
obligations to do so, that a prompt and thorough investigation into
the allegations be conducted.
To note, the letter to Arman Mktrumyan was sent on 24 January. At
the same day the Court of Cassation adopted a decision to give 20
day term to the lawyers' of activists to be able to appeal again.
ARMINFO
Friday, January 25, 16:51
Human Rights Watch has sent a letter to the President of the Court of
Cassation of Armenia, Arman Mkrtumyan, and said it is very concerned
about the allegations of ill-treatment of the four defendants from
Armenian National Congress and the lack of an effective investigation
into these allegations.
We are writing to express our profound concern regarding the lack of
effective investigation into allegations of ill-treatment relating
to the case of Armenian National Congress activists Tigran Araqelyan,
Artak Karapetyan, Sargis Gevorgyan, and Davit Kiramijyan, accused of
disorderly conduct and violence against government representatives
during an encounter with Yerevan police in August 2011.
On July 20, 2012, the Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and
Norq-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan sentenced the four men
to between two to six years in prison on charges of violent resistance
or threat of violence against government authorities and hooliganism.
On August 20, the defense filed an appeal based on substantive and
procedural violations in the activists' case. On November 13, the
Court of Appeal rejected the appeal.
We are aware that you are at this time determining whether to hear the
cassation complaint submitted on December 23, 2012 concerning these
cases and that you will issue a decision by January 27. Irrespective
of whether the Cassation Court ultimately decides to hear these
appeals, we urge you to consider the serious and credible llegations
of ill-treatment of these four men immediately prior to their arrest
and while in police custody on August 9, 2011.
We are very concerned about the allegations of ill-treatment of
the four defendants and the lack of an effective investigation into
these allegations.
International treaties to which Armenia is a party, including the
European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
all strictly prohibit inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
This includes the right to a timely, impartial, effective
investigation capable of leading to identification and prosecution of
perpetrators. The failure to uphold these standards would constitute
serious breaches of Armenia's international obligations.
Your honor, we hope that the Court of Cassation will be fully mindful
of the above information as it relates to the case, and that it
reviews all aspects of the case in accordance with Armenia's binding
human rights obligations.
Human Rights Watch believes that it is very important that given the
credible allegations of ill-treatment in this case, and Armenia's
obligations to do so, that a prompt and thorough investigation into
the allegations be conducted.
To note, the letter to Arman Mktrumyan was sent on 24 January. At
the same day the Court of Cassation adopted a decision to give 20
day term to the lawyers' of activists to be able to appeal again.