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HWR: SPATE OF ATTACKS AGAINST PROTESTERS IN ARMENIA
http://www.armenianow.com/society/human_rights/48455/armenia_human_rights_watch_activists_attacks
HUMAN RIGHTS | 12.09.13 | 11:47
An international human rights watchdog has urged authorities in Yerevan
to deal with what it described as a 'spate of violent attacks against
peaceful protesters' in Armenia of late.
In a letter addressed to the Armenian police chief and the head of
the Special Investigative Service the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said
"officials should swiftly bring the attackers to justice and make
clear that any violence against people for exercising their right to
peaceful protest will be neither tolerated nor condoned."
It said that the attacks appear to be "a concerted effort to intimidate
activists and should be effectively investigated".
"If thugs keep jumping on protesters and beating them up as they
leave for home, that's hardly a coincidence," said Giorgi Gogia,
senior South Caucasus researcher at Human Rights Watch, according
to the organization's news release. "The police and other Armenian
authorities need to be prepared to make clear that they are going to
put a stop to these attacks, starting with effective investigations
that lead to arrests and prosecutions."
In a statement last week the Armenian police reassured the public
that they were taking all necessary measures to investigate a
series of reported attacks against civil activists and even urged
any witnesses who could help the investigation to come forward and
provide information, even on condition of anonymity.
From: A. Papazian
http://www.armenianow.com/society/human_rights/48455/armenia_human_rights_watch_activists_attacks
HUMAN RIGHTS | 12.09.13 | 11:47
An international human rights watchdog has urged authorities in Yerevan
to deal with what it described as a 'spate of violent attacks against
peaceful protesters' in Armenia of late.
In a letter addressed to the Armenian police chief and the head of
the Special Investigative Service the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said
"officials should swiftly bring the attackers to justice and make
clear that any violence against people for exercising their right to
peaceful protest will be neither tolerated nor condoned."
It said that the attacks appear to be "a concerted effort to intimidate
activists and should be effectively investigated".
"If thugs keep jumping on protesters and beating them up as they
leave for home, that's hardly a coincidence," said Giorgi Gogia,
senior South Caucasus researcher at Human Rights Watch, according
to the organization's news release. "The police and other Armenian
authorities need to be prepared to make clear that they are going to
put a stop to these attacks, starting with effective investigations
that lead to arrests and prosecutions."
In a statement last week the Armenian police reassured the public
that they were taking all necessary measures to investigate a
series of reported attacks against civil activists and even urged
any witnesses who could help the investigation to come forward and
provide information, even on condition of anonymity.
From: A. Papazian