09.12.2009

On the occasion of the Human Rights Day we, the representatives of Human Rights Organizations actively working in Armenia, express our deep concern regarding the overall situation concerning the law enforcement bodies, judiciary and administration of justice in Armenia.

With the sense of regret, we point out that in 2009 human rights defenders have recorded number of cases of torture, coercive testimony and violations of right to fair trial during number of trials.

 We would like to mention events of 1-2 March 2008 and the processes followed those events as a vivid example of concerns expressed above.

So far no any effective investigation was conducted into the circumstances that led to the killing of 10 citizens in the result of excessive use of force by the Police in the evening of March 1, 2008 and nobody was hold accountable.

Consequently, Armenia failed to fulfill its obligations under the 1609, 1620, 1643, 1677 resolutions of the Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted following to 2008 March events.

Today there are dozen political prisoners in Armenia deprived of their liberty.

We, human rights organizations in Armenia, condemn any kind of violence and call upon the   Armenian authorities to

• To make public the activities conducted by the authorities which are aimed at disclosure of the circumstances of the killings of 10 citizens on March 1,
• To disclose urgently the circumstances led to the killings of 10 citizens and bring to justice those who are responsible in order to stop further deepening of the atmosphere of impunity,
• To release all political prisoners thus make Armenia a country where nobody is persecuted on political grounds.

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor office
Civil Society Institute
Transparency International Anti-corruption centre
Helsinki Committee of Armenia
Armenian Helsinki Association
Collaboration for democracy centre
Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Armenian Committee
Foundation Against Violation of law
Right and Freedom Centre