Commissioner Hammarberg concluded today a three-day visit to Erevan where he weighed the progress made in the investigation of the violent events in March in connection with the demonstrations after the recent Presidential election. He also sought information on the judicial procedures against those detained.
"The response to our recommendations is still unsatisfactory" said the Commissioner during the press conference in Erevan. "The Armenian authorities should make further efforts to ensure that human rights are respected and the recommendations made by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly are fully implemented".
The Commissioner was concerned that the inquiry started by the parliamentary commission would be unable to establish facts about the events 1-2 March in a manner that would be accepted as credible. "There is a need to ensure total impartiality".
He also stressed that only those who had themselves committed or directly ordered violent crimes should be brought to justice. "Court proceedings in all such cases should now be pursued without further delay and all other detainees should be released".
The Commissioner regretted that no policeman had so far been charged in spite of the evidence that excessive force had been used by law enforcement forces against demonstrators. "It is crucial that the judicial response to these unfortunate events has no political bias and is seen to be impartial", he said.
Commissioner Hammarberg is expected to present his observation to the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly next 11 September.
See also
- Commissioner Hammarberg visits Armenia to assess progress made in the investigation of post-election events (press release, 11/07/08)
- Armenia: Commissioner Hammarberg releases report on his special mission (press release, 20/03/08)
- Commissioner Hammarberg requests the Armenian Government to lift the emergency measures and initiate an impartial investigation (press release, 18/03/08)
- Armenia: Commissioner Hammarberg visits Yerevan to advocate human rights protection after post-election violence (press release, 11/03/08)