We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned with the fact that even the minimal
requirements to restore some democratic practices, outlined in the PACE
resolutions 1609 and 1620 and acknowledged by the Armenian government as urgent,
have not been implemented, and that instead new restrictions are being enforced
by authorities. We are especially concerned about the fundamental right of
freedom of assembly enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights and in the
Armenian Constitution.

During the months following the State of Emergency, Armenian civil society has
repeatedly been denied the right to conduct meetings, discussions, film
screenings, and round-tables on numerous important issues ranging from the human
rights situation in the country to religious freedoms. It has become common
practice for hotels, cinemas, and business centers to refuse rental of space to
civil society organizations critical of the Armenian government and the current
state of affairs. The Armenia Marriott Hotel, Congress Hotel, Ani Plaza and
other hotels, as well as the Moscow theater have repeatedly refused the rental
of halls for civil society events, labeling them as “political.”

Some hotels were very straightforward and said that they were instructed not to
rent halls for any event that may be considered political and that they had to
make calls to “respective people” to verify the ”political” nature of the event.
Some said orally that they were not allowed to rent halls for such purposes, but
in their written responses provided other various excuses, such as technical
problems or the non-availability of the halls.

This government pressure on businesses not to rent out halls is exercised
completely outside any legal context; there is no law regulating hall renting
practices by private companies. These undemocratic practices pose a new and
serious blow to democracy.

Below are only some of the examples of the legitimate organizations and
activities that were refused rental agreements:

• In September Congress Hotel refused hosting the Fund against Violation of Law
  event on the issue of Sayat-Nova school teachers’ dismissal (labor rights
  protection case). The verbally given explanation was that it was of political
  nature.
• Congress Hotel, first confirmed and then refused hosting the October 09 the
  Partnership event to discuss the main concerns with the processes in the country
  (recently adopted amendments to the broadcast law, violations of freedom of
  media/access to media, freedom of assembly and association, widespread
  corruption and the abuse of power, the CoE Human Rights Commissioner’s report
  and the country’s implementation of PACE resolutions 1609 and 1620). The
  verbally given explanation was that they cannot host “political” events and that
  OSI would get refusal from all other hotels. In parallel, the Foundation sent
  the same request to Armenia Marriott Hotel. The latter had to find out from
  “decision-makers” whether they could allow hosting it.
• Moscow theatre first agreed but then refused hosting viewing of the film
  “Alienation,” produced by Tigran Paskevichyan and ordered by “The Victims of
  State Needs” NGO, even though per the initial agreement the funds had already
  been transferred. The official verbal response was that they cannot allow
  viewing of films of ‘political nature.’ The reason for considering it
  ‘political’ was that Levon Ter-Petrosyan was seen in one of the episodes of the
  film. Later, both Marriott and Congress hotels rejected hosting the viewing of
  the film. The event was originally planned to be held on October 10, but due to
  the change of the venue, it was rescheduled to be held on October 27 at the
  Tekeyan Cultural Center.
• The Helsinki Committee of Armenia had to struggle to rent hotel space for its
  presentation on “Violence in schools.”
• Ani and Congress hotels refused hosting a seminar on Religious Tolerance
  organized Collaboration for Democracy NGO. Erebuni Hotel first confirmed and
  then refused hosting the event. The official explanation was that there were no
  available halls, which was not true as we found out.

We find this situation deeply disturbing and unacceptable for a country engaged
in the European Neighbourhood Policy and that claims to be committed to
democratic values and principles. We call on the Armenian government to stop
this abuse of power which goes against all norms of democracy and free economic
system. We also call upon all businesses to not yield to government pressure
that denies Armenia’s citizens of their fundamental rights to freedom of
assembly and freedom of expression.

These abuses of the rights provided in the Constitution of the Republic of
Armenia, which are rights the Armenian people gave themselves, must be stopped
now.

Arena of Education NGO

“Asparez” Journalists’ Club

Civil Society Institute

Collaboration for Democracy

Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression

Helsinki Committee of Armenia

Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor Branch

“Internews-Armenia” Media Support NGO

Media Diversity Institute

Menq Plus NGO

Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia

Transparency International Anti-corruption Center

Yerevan Press Club

The Victims Of State Need NGO