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FIDH Urges EU Not To Sign An Agreement With Armenia

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  • FIDH Urges EU Not To Sign An Agreement With Armenia

    FIDH URGES EU NOT TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH ARMENIA

    A1+
    [06:30 pm] 14 November, 2006

    On the occasion of the three Cooperation Councils between the European
    Union (EU) and Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, to be held on 13 and 14
    November 2006, and which should lead to the adoption of three Action
    Plans with those countries, the International Federation for Human
    Rights (FIDH) wishes to express various concerns about the situation
    of human rights in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

    FIDH also wishes to make recommendations aimed at improving that
    situation. We hope that, within the framework of strengthened
    bi-lateral relations, the EU will relay those recommendations.

    FIDH published recently three notes on the human rights situation in
    Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and stressed out the need of quick
    and effective reactions of the authorities in order to improve the
    human rights situation in those countries.

    Despite the diversity of the situations in the region and the various
    intensity of violations, FIDH is preoccupied by worrying trends within
    the three countries and particularly by: the persistence of torture,
    ill-treatments and excessive use of force by public authorities ; the
    culture of impunity including for many serious human rights violations
    and which is a main hurdle to the promotion and protection of human
    rights ; the repression of human rights defenders, journalists,
    political opponents, and the obstacles to the right to freedom of
    assembly and to the freedom of the media.

    Furthermore, FIDH regrets that NGOs have not been sufficiently
    associated by the European Commission to the preparation of the
    Action Plans and hopes that their views will be taken into account
    in the framework of the follow-up of the Action Plan. NGOs should
    be systematically consulted in the process of preparation of the
    Commission's regular report on the Action Plans' implementation.

    OVERVIEW OF MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA The
    Republic of Armenia presents a contrasted picture as far as respect for
    Human Rights is concerned. On paper, they are pretty much a model for
    the South Caucasus region as they have ratified most of the European
    Human Rights instruments and conducted major law reforms in conformity
    with them.

    However the following concerns are noticeable: although the country
    showed exceptional growth over the last years, the economic and social
    situation does not benefit equally to the whole population. The failed
    transition from a soviet communist system to a liberal economy created
    enormous disparity between an elite group of persons or clans, who,
    on the one hand, monopolised the majority of the resources, and the
    rest of the population on the other. Although the country witnesses
    the emergence of a middle-class, it is still at the very bottom of
    the social scale.

    Furthermore, these new wealthy people, which are interrelated
    with the spheres of political power, have instituted private armed
    polices, thus subjecting the country and the citizens to tangible
    threats and acts of violence, be they motivated by political or
    economic reasons. In addition, the country witnesses a high level of
    institutional corruption, endemic in the whole region.

    Factual anti-democratic events are perceived as a growing and
    threatening trend over rights and freedoms before crucial parliamentary
    elections in 2007 and presidential election in 2008. A population
    indifferent to internal politics, an ethnically homogeneous country,
    a strong support from the Diaspora are all factors that ease the
    ruling of the country but also enable abuses by the holders of
    power. Political and economic powers enjoy impunity.
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