US Official News
March 1, 2013 Friday
Washington: US Mission to the OSCE Statement on Armenian Presidential Elections
Washington
Department of US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, The
Government of USA has issued the following news release:
The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on their
February 18 presidential election. We agree with the OSCE assessment
that the election was generally well-administered and characterized by
a respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and
expression, but some key concerns remain.
The OSCE found that the media provided balanced coverage and that all
contestants made use of their free air time.
We share, however, the OSCE observers' concerns about a lack of
impartiality on the part of the public administration and the misuse
of administrative resources that resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party,
both during the pre-election period and on Election Day.
We also agree with the findings that while Election Day was calm and
orderly, it was marked by undue interference in the process, mainly by
proxies representing the incumbent, and by some serious violations,
including instances of pressure on voters.
The United States will continue to monitor the findings of
international and domestic election observers, as well as the
adjudication of election grievances during the post-election period.
We urge Armenian law enforcement officials to investigate and take
appropriate action in response to credible reporting of election law
violations, and we call on all parties to engage peacefully and for
the government to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law.
For more information please visit: http://www.humanrights.gov
March 1, 2013 Friday
Washington: US Mission to the OSCE Statement on Armenian Presidential Elections
Washington
Department of US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, The
Government of USA has issued the following news release:
The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on their
February 18 presidential election. We agree with the OSCE assessment
that the election was generally well-administered and characterized by
a respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and
expression, but some key concerns remain.
The OSCE found that the media provided balanced coverage and that all
contestants made use of their free air time.
We share, however, the OSCE observers' concerns about a lack of
impartiality on the part of the public administration and the misuse
of administrative resources that resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party,
both during the pre-election period and on Election Day.
We also agree with the findings that while Election Day was calm and
orderly, it was marked by undue interference in the process, mainly by
proxies representing the incumbent, and by some serious violations,
including instances of pressure on voters.
The United States will continue to monitor the findings of
international and domestic election observers, as well as the
adjudication of election grievances during the post-election period.
We urge Armenian law enforcement officials to investigate and take
appropriate action in response to credible reporting of election law
violations, and we call on all parties to engage peacefully and for
the government to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law.
For more information please visit: http://www.humanrights.gov