On April 5, at Civil Society Institute, the president of International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Souhayr Belhassen met wives of political prisoners.  The meeting was organised at the initiative of Ms. Belhassen on the eve of the Congress Justice: New challenges - The Right to an effective remedy before an independent tribunal .

In the beginning of the meeting Souhayr Belhassen mentioned that she is convinced that the wives of political prisoners understand who are they and how they can help.

"I hope that you also understand that if we came here-400 people- to meet, it is not to shake hands with high-ranked officials but to help lawyers and people, who became victims of injustice."

Belhassen noted that as a result of FIDH intervention more than 1000 persons were released, and this included also the first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who was kept as a political prisoner in Moscow.  

"We never can think about somebody's freedom sitting in the limited circle. If we invite high ranked officials to the forum, it is to provide an opportunity to apply to them directly. Thus, it was not occasional that we wanted to meet you before the forum and to pass your words to meeting participants. All this is done for freedom of your husbands, colleagues and sons, and there is a purpose that with us is the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and many other lawyers.

Ms. Anahit Kirakosyan, the wife of a political prisoner Ashot Manoukyan suggested to Ms. Belhassen that a member of FIDH come tomorrow to Vanadzor to see how people are constrained to come to Yerevan to participate in the demonstration which will take place at the time of FIDH Congress.

Marine Haroutyunyan, the wife of a former prisoner Grigor Voskerchyan expressed her concern that some human rights defenders boycott the Forum.

"I am very concerned that people who really defend human rights

will not participate in the Forum.  I am concerned that Mikael Danielyan, who is a long-time human rights defender refuses to participate in the Forum."

According to Artak Kirakosyan, the chairman of board of Civil Society Institute (CSI), they always had a clear position that political prisoners should be released.

"We used every opportunity to raise this issue and we are glad that this issue will be raised not only at the meetings on the official level but also with lawyers from different countries.

Souhayr Belhassen added that at her last meeting she was in Armenia and met with Sasha Davtyan.

"Our intervention to some extent helped to release him, and I do not need  explanation how the process with the governmental bodies goes on. Armenia is not the only place with bad situation with human rights.

Melissa Brown, a wife of ex-minister of Foreign Affairs and former political prisoner Alexander Arzumanyan, said that she met FIDH representative two years ago, and now she is concerned that Gagik Haroutyunyan and Gevorg Danielyan are given a chance being invited to the Forum.

"They will appear on the television, smiling and shaking hands, which will be used against us.  We are not Myanmar and Zimbabwe, but they force us to move in this direction step by step," said Melissa Brawn.

Souhayr Belhassen assured that they thought of all possible options that the state can shift from the bad path towards the good path.

"Now Armenia is on the path which can ended badly or well.  We wanted to come to this country to fight together that it does not take the bad direction and this is a critical moment for fight", she said.

Artak Kirakosyan added that they tried to use the optimum of the forum to address the issue of political prisoners and human rights and do not politicise their work.

Sevak Saghatelyan, son of a political prisoner Moushegh Saghatelyan approached Ms. Belhassen saying that she said nice words and that many people say nice words." I do not believe that you can do anything with legal means to release political prisoners. I hope and believe that you are committed to your mission on defending human rights and will do everything you can."

Souhayr Belhassen in her reply to Sevak Saghatelyan said that she is committed to her mission and because of that she is here.

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