16 March, 2003

A1plus

On the 15 of March the head of the Helsinki citizens’ assembly Vanadzor office Mr. Artur Sakunts was arrested. Last week unknown people attacked his office. At night of the 15th of March the office was burned. Mr. Sakunts was arrested near his office when he was taking part in a demonstration. After a shot trial he was arrested for 10 days.

JOINT STATEMENT OF ARMENIAN HUMAN RIGHTS NGO

DECLARATION ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

March 8, 2003

We, representatives of the above signed organizations, in regard to the
presidential elections in Armenia, declare once more that in contemporary Armenia it
is possible to organize and conduct free, fair and transparent elections, and
state that:

• Mass media that is under control of the government, especially all television
stations, did not provide equal opportunities for the candidates. They
advocated for one candidate, the incumbent president, and in the second round of
election, did spread propaganda against the second candidate for President.

• The authorities used state administrative resources in favor to the incumbent
president, putting pressure on heads, subordinates and beneficiaries of
various institutions. There were cases of firing persons who failed to support
the incumbent president with required enthusiasm.

• The whole election period was marred by using pressure, threats, and
violations.

• Arrests, detention and administrative punishment of peaceful demonstrators
since February 21 contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

• On the eve of the elections, those members of the electoral commissions who
could prevent implementation of the planned electoral fraud, were forced to leave.

• On the eve of elections, ballots (according to opposition, about 400,000)
prepared for fraud, were in circulation.

• Members of electoral commissions, candidate proxies and elections observers
appeared under various types of pressure (threats, psychological
pressure, offer of bribes, etc.). On the day of election, the most active
defenders of lawfulness the rule of law, were brutally forced to leave. There were
cases of beaten and arrested proxies.

• Domestic and international observers registered numerous violations, including
ballot stuffing and fraud, that were realized either by order of
authorities of different level, or with their acceptance.



Based on the above:

• We consider the presidential elections of March 5 in Armenia as failed in
fact,

• and support public efforts to achieve establishment of democratic procedures
in Armenia



Helsinki Committee of Armenia

Association of Investigative Journalists of Armenia

Civil Society Development Union

Foundation for Support of Freedom of Speech

Zartonk-89 NGO

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly - Vanadzor

"Society Without Violence" NGO

We call NGO's to join this statement

Contact:

Civil Society Development Union

15/46 Papazyan Str. Yerevan, 375002, Armenia

Tel/fax.: (+3741) 22 34 40

Mobile: (+3749) 40 36 09

csdu@csdu.am

www.csdu.am