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ARMENIAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION PETITIONS AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL RE: ELECTION
http://hetq.am/eng/news/24505/armenian-law-students-association-petitions-amnesty-international-re-election.html
11:18, March 16, 2013
Armenian Law Students Association (ALSA)
Southwestern Law School
3050 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90010
March 14, 2013
Samantha Rodgers
Chief Membership Mobilization Officer
Amnesty International USA
5 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Dear Ms. Rodgers:
We are a group of concerned Armenian-American law students writing
to express our deep concern regarding the reports of human rights
violations during Armenia~Rs February 18, 2013 presidential election.
We appeal to Amnesty International to assist the Armenian people
in realizing their democratic aspirations by launching a supporter
mobilization campaign.
We strongly concur with your February 28, 2013 Public Statement that
there is an urgent need for Armenian authorities to investigate
election-related human rights violations. We do not ask Amnesty
International to take a position on the outcome of the election, but to
help mobilize and organize the public in their pursuit of a meaningful
and impartial investigation into the many alleged human rights abuses.
Per your statement, ~SAmnesty International calls on the relevant
authorities to carry out prompt and impartial investigations into
all allegations of rights violations during the elections and hold
those responsible to account. The authorities must also guarantee the
safety of participants at postelection protests and public meetings.~T
These are fundamental rights which must be upheld, as protests are
ongoing and the Constitutional Court has just denied a petition
disputing official election results. Unfortunately, public trust
in the Constitutional Court~Rs impartiality is weak, so we also ask
Amnesty International to look into potential abuse of the rule of law.
Judging by the passionate reaction from Armenians to reports of
roughly 400 election irregularities, there is widespread support for
a mobilization campaign. For the past month, protests have been made
on a daily basis in Armenia, not only in Yerevan but in towns and
villages across the country. At the risk of violent reprisals and
loss of employment (and financial ruin), ordinary citizens in Armenia
have openly protested election misconduct. University students are
engaged in a brave strike that enjoys wide popular support. Diaspora
communities in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Brussels have rallied
in solidarity with native Armenians.
For many in the diaspora, the local Armenian response to what is
perceived as an undemocratic electoral process is the most encouraging
display of civic participation we have seen since Armenia became an
independent Republic in 1991. We are inspired to do our part to support
those at the forefront of the quest for a more democratic Armenia,
and we urge Amnesty International to assist in that universal cause.
Yours truly,
Tamara Shahabian Voskanian ALSA Vice President On behalf of the
ALSA Board
http://hetq.am/eng/news/24505/armenian-law-students-association-petitions-amnesty-international-re-election.html
11:18, March 16, 2013
Armenian Law Students Association (ALSA)
Southwestern Law School
3050 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90010
March 14, 2013
Samantha Rodgers
Chief Membership Mobilization Officer
Amnesty International USA
5 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Dear Ms. Rodgers:
We are a group of concerned Armenian-American law students writing
to express our deep concern regarding the reports of human rights
violations during Armenia~Rs February 18, 2013 presidential election.
We appeal to Amnesty International to assist the Armenian people
in realizing their democratic aspirations by launching a supporter
mobilization campaign.
We strongly concur with your February 28, 2013 Public Statement that
there is an urgent need for Armenian authorities to investigate
election-related human rights violations. We do not ask Amnesty
International to take a position on the outcome of the election, but to
help mobilize and organize the public in their pursuit of a meaningful
and impartial investigation into the many alleged human rights abuses.
Per your statement, ~SAmnesty International calls on the relevant
authorities to carry out prompt and impartial investigations into
all allegations of rights violations during the elections and hold
those responsible to account. The authorities must also guarantee the
safety of participants at postelection protests and public meetings.~T
These are fundamental rights which must be upheld, as protests are
ongoing and the Constitutional Court has just denied a petition
disputing official election results. Unfortunately, public trust
in the Constitutional Court~Rs impartiality is weak, so we also ask
Amnesty International to look into potential abuse of the rule of law.
Judging by the passionate reaction from Armenians to reports of
roughly 400 election irregularities, there is widespread support for
a mobilization campaign. For the past month, protests have been made
on a daily basis in Armenia, not only in Yerevan but in towns and
villages across the country. At the risk of violent reprisals and
loss of employment (and financial ruin), ordinary citizens in Armenia
have openly protested election misconduct. University students are
engaged in a brave strike that enjoys wide popular support. Diaspora
communities in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Brussels have rallied
in solidarity with native Armenians.
For many in the diaspora, the local Armenian response to what is
perceived as an undemocratic electoral process is the most encouraging
display of civic participation we have seen since Armenia became an
independent Republic in 1991. We are inspired to do our part to support
those at the forefront of the quest for a more democratic Armenia,
and we urge Amnesty International to assist in that universal cause.
Yours truly,
Tamara Shahabian Voskanian ALSA Vice President On behalf of the
ALSA Board