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BAKU: Hard-hitting report on European official's Armenia trip

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  • BAKU: Hard-hitting report on European official's Armenia trip

    news.az, Azerbaijan
    Jan 22 2011


    Hard-hitting report on European official's Armenia trip
    Sat 22 January 2011 05:45 GMT | 7:45 Local Time


    The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner focused on political
    and media freedom and human rights in the army during a trip to
    Armenia.


    Thomas Hammarberg visited Yerevan from 18 to 21 January, where he met
    Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan,
    Justice Minister Hrair Tovmasyan, other officials, opposition
    politicians, including former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and
    rights activists.

    The events of March 2008, when at least 10 people were killed in the
    violent dispersal of protests at perceived fraud in the presidential
    elections, freedom of expression and the media, and human rights in
    the army were the main themes of the visit, Thomas Hammarberg's office
    said in a press release yesterday.

    "The effects of the tragic events of March 2008 can still be felt in
    Armenian society. A major problem is the continuing lack of clarity as
    regards the responsibility for the 10 deaths which occurred during the
    demonstrations. The commissioner urged that the responsibility for
    these deaths be established; this presupposes a thorough, impartial
    and credible analysis of the methods used by the police as well as the
    command responsibility. The commissioner has recommended concrete
    measures to address the needs of the families of the victims," the
    press release said.

    Thomas Hammarberg raised the cases of prisoners from the opposition
    Armenian National Congress, which organized election protests.

    "The Armenian National Congress indicated to the commissioner that
    nine persons affiliated with them remain imprisoned, most of them in
    connection with the events of March 2008. The commissioner discussed
    this issue with the Armenian authorities," his office said.

    The commissioner clearly thought that much remained to be done to
    prevent a possible repeat of the March 2008 events.

    "The ad hoc parliamentary inquiry committee, which was established to
    examine the March 2008 events and identify ways to prevent the
    recurrence of a similar tragedy, formulated certain recommendations of
    a systemic nature. Moreover, the OSCE/ODIHR Trial Monitoring Report
    identified several shortcomings in the conduct of the trials related
    to the March 2008 events. A thorough follow-up of the recommendations
    made by the ad hoc parliamentary inquiry committee and by OSCE/ODIHR
    should be ensured, in particular with regard to ongoing reform of the
    police (including the use of force by the police), ensuring that the
    judiciary is independent and competent, and guaranteeing the right to
    liberty and to a fair trial. In addition, the legislation and practice
    on freedom of assembly should be brought fully in line with
    international human rights principles," the press release continued.

    Thomas Hammarberg raised concern about A1+ television, station which
    lost its broadcast licence in 2002.

    "The commissioner discussed the case of A1+ television, which had been
    the subject of a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights where
    the court had found a violation of the right of freedom of expression.
    During a recent competition for a broadcasting licence, the bid of A1+
    was once again rejected; the reasoning given in the decision of the
    National Commission on Radio and Television was that the documentation
    which had been submitted by A1+ contained fraudulent documents. The
    commissioner stressed the importance of ensuring that the media
    environment in Armenia is sufficiently diverse and pluralistic. He
    noted the work to amend the law 'On television and radio' and trusts
    that the question of the independence and pluralistic membership of
    the regulatory authorities will be addressed."

    On the army, the press release said: "The commissioner also had the
    opportunity to look into the human rights situation in the army. He
    expressed particular concern regarding non-combat deaths,
    ill-treatment and hazing, and highlighted the importance of conducting
    effective investigations into these cases with the aim of identifying
    and punishing those responsible. The commissioner encouraged the
    ongoing reforms taking place in the armed forces, including in
    relation to disciplinary procedures and the establishment of effective
    complaint mechanisms. He also addressed the issue of the right to
    conscientious objection during his visit and understands that the
    Armenian authorities are in the process of developing the legislation
    in this area. The objective should be to establish a genuinely
    civilian service."

    The commissioner is to publish a full report in the coming months.

    News.Az




    From: A. Papazian
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