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COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PRESENTS REPORT ON ARMENIA
news.am
May 10 2011
Armenia
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg
released a report on May 9 on his visit to Armenia carried out in
January 2011. The report focuses on human rights issues related to
the March 2008 events, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly
and association, and the human rights situation in the army. Armenian
News-NEWS.am presents the report, posted on Council of Europe website.
"Some significant steps have been taken to address the human rights
consequences of the March 2008 events, but more needs to be done to
promote reconciliation in society and reinforce public trust towards
the authorities," Hammarberg said in the report.
The Commissioner considers that the use of force on 1-2 March 2008
was excessive and that the investigation into the ten deaths has not
been effective. "None of the perpetrators have been identified to date.
Command responsibility of senior officials within the police and the
security services appears not to have been seriously considered. The
Armenian authorities should pursue vigorously these investigations
and bring all those responsible to account. The families of the ten
victims should receive adequate compensation for the loss of their
relatives and should be fully associated to and informed about the
investigation," he said in the report.
The Commissioner welcomes the recent instruction from President
Sargsyan with regard to the investigation into the death cases
and hopes that this will be translated into concrete progress in
identifying and punishing those responsible.
While welcoming the release of many of those deprived of their liberty
in connection to the March 2008 events, three of whom were released
after his visit, the Commissioner continues to have serious concerns
about the situation of remaining imprisoned opposition activists and
urges the Armenian authorities to release them.
The report also pays particular attention to freedom of expression,
including freedom and diversity of the media. While welcoming the
decriminalisation of libel and insult through last year's amendments
to the Criminal Code, the Commissioner remains concerned about
the increase of cases brought against media outlets on the basis of
amendments to the Civil Code. He stresses that unreasonably high fines
in civil cases relating to media should be avoided. At the same time,
ethical standards for journalism and a system of self-regulation
should be encouraged.
Expressing alarm over the attacks and pressure on journalists that
have taken place in the past two years, the Commissioner calls upon
the country's leadership to firmly condemn such incidents and to take
measures to prevent their recurrence.
The implementation in practice of the right to freedom of peaceful
assembly in Armenia also remains a source of concern. "Unlawful
and disproportionate impediments on peaceful assemblies, such as
intimidation and arrest of participants, disruption of transportation
means and blanket prohibitions against assemblies in certain places,
should be immediately discontinued. It is crucial that the behaviour
and actions of police forces during assemblies abide by human rights
standards."
Commissioner Hammarberg therefore encourages the Armenian authorities
to review the national legal framework and practice related to freedom
of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly in order
to bring it in compliance with human rights standards.
The report also addresses the issue of non-combat deaths, torture
and ill treatment which have occurred in the Armenian army and have
featured prominently in the country's public debate. "The Armenian
authorities should intensify their efforts to eliminate such grave
cases of abuse in the military and to put an end to the impunity
of perpetrators and responsible commanders," Hammarberg said in
the report.
From: A. Papazian
news.am
May 10 2011
Armenia
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg
released a report on May 9 on his visit to Armenia carried out in
January 2011. The report focuses on human rights issues related to
the March 2008 events, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly
and association, and the human rights situation in the army. Armenian
News-NEWS.am presents the report, posted on Council of Europe website.
"Some significant steps have been taken to address the human rights
consequences of the March 2008 events, but more needs to be done to
promote reconciliation in society and reinforce public trust towards
the authorities," Hammarberg said in the report.
The Commissioner considers that the use of force on 1-2 March 2008
was excessive and that the investigation into the ten deaths has not
been effective. "None of the perpetrators have been identified to date.
Command responsibility of senior officials within the police and the
security services appears not to have been seriously considered. The
Armenian authorities should pursue vigorously these investigations
and bring all those responsible to account. The families of the ten
victims should receive adequate compensation for the loss of their
relatives and should be fully associated to and informed about the
investigation," he said in the report.
The Commissioner welcomes the recent instruction from President
Sargsyan with regard to the investigation into the death cases
and hopes that this will be translated into concrete progress in
identifying and punishing those responsible.
While welcoming the release of many of those deprived of their liberty
in connection to the March 2008 events, three of whom were released
after his visit, the Commissioner continues to have serious concerns
about the situation of remaining imprisoned opposition activists and
urges the Armenian authorities to release them.
The report also pays particular attention to freedom of expression,
including freedom and diversity of the media. While welcoming the
decriminalisation of libel and insult through last year's amendments
to the Criminal Code, the Commissioner remains concerned about
the increase of cases brought against media outlets on the basis of
amendments to the Civil Code. He stresses that unreasonably high fines
in civil cases relating to media should be avoided. At the same time,
ethical standards for journalism and a system of self-regulation
should be encouraged.
Expressing alarm over the attacks and pressure on journalists that
have taken place in the past two years, the Commissioner calls upon
the country's leadership to firmly condemn such incidents and to take
measures to prevent their recurrence.
The implementation in practice of the right to freedom of peaceful
assembly in Armenia also remains a source of concern. "Unlawful
and disproportionate impediments on peaceful assemblies, such as
intimidation and arrest of participants, disruption of transportation
means and blanket prohibitions against assemblies in certain places,
should be immediately discontinued. It is crucial that the behaviour
and actions of police forces during assemblies abide by human rights
standards."
Commissioner Hammarberg therefore encourages the Armenian authorities
to review the national legal framework and practice related to freedom
of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly in order
to bring it in compliance with human rights standards.
The report also addresses the issue of non-combat deaths, torture
and ill treatment which have occurred in the Armenian army and have
featured prominently in the country's public debate. "The Armenian
authorities should intensify their efforts to eliminate such grave
cases of abuse in the military and to put an end to the impunity
of perpetrators and responsible commanders," Hammarberg said in
the report.
From: A. Papazian