STATEMENT OF  THE PROMPT RESPONSE GROUP ON HUMAN RIGHTS
PROTECTION

23.04.2004



On April 22 , around 13:00, on the Tumanyan Street of Yerevan, a famous public
and political activist Ashot Manoucharian was severely beaten by unknown
persons. Ashot Manoucharian received serious injuries and was hospitalized.



This case finds its place in the context of recent situation in Armenia.

The signed below non-governmental organizations believe that this case in
connected to public and political activity of Manoucharian.

We have to remind that this case is in continuation of violence executed towards
Victor Dallaqian an opposition member of Parliament, human rights defender
Michael Danielyan, participants of peaceful demonstrations and journalists
reporting on these demonstrations.

All of this and particularly, attack and cruel feud on Ashot Manoucharian are
different aspects of one general plan.

We believe that people developing and wishing to implement these plan need to
inderstand that these programs are failed from its basis, and that all efforts
to stop free thought and free speech will be failed.

We condemn the fact of using violence against public and political figure Ashot
Manoucharian and state our support to him.



Gayane Markosyan

Free Tribune for Civil Initiatives



Artak Kirakosyan

Civil Society Institute



Avetiq Ishkhanyan

Helsinki Committee of Armenia



Georgi Vanyan

Caucasus Center for Peacemaking Initiatives



Artur Sakunts

Helsinki Citizens` Assembly Vanadzor Office



Vardan Harutyunyan

Speech Freedom Support Fund



Levon Barseghyan

Journalists’ Club “Asparez” Gyumri



 

YOUTH AGAINST VIOLENCE

23.04.2004

A number of Armenian youth organizations reacted to the assault on Socialist
Forces leader Ashot Manucharyan, who was beaten Wednesday by unidentified males,
by issuing a statement.

“We demand the masterminds and perpetrators of that vicious action to be tracked
down and prosecuted”, the statement says.

The organization’ members gathered today in the street, where Manucharyan had
been attacked, in a protest against ongoing violence to attract, as they say,
public attention to the problem of violence and to restore justice.

A1 plus

 

Announcement

23.04.2004

Yesterday, on April 22 Ashot Manucharyan, Head of the Socialist Party of
Armenia was severely beaten.

We, the representatives of a number of right protective, youth and student
public organizations, condemn another action of violence and demand that the
organizers and performers of such a shabby act be revealed and punished.

If the corresponding bodies are inconsistent to the implementation of their
direct obligations, we consider it our duty to draw the public attention to the
issue of persistent violence through protest actions and reach the restoration
of justice.

You can express your consent upon the above issue by joining us at a protest
action that will take place today, April 23 at 13:00 near the “Grand Holding”
(Spendiaryan Street, near Tumanyan streeet, Yerevan) or by signing this message.
The announcement will be submitted to law- enforcement bodies.

RA citizens:

Isabella Sargsyan

Hrant Ter-Abrahamyan

Karen Hakobyan

Gayane Shagoyan

Ara Pahlevanyan

Lala Aslikyan

Areg Tadevosyan





22.04.2004

As we have informed from the reliable source, today was beaten Ashot
Manucharyan. Now he is in emergency hospital of Nork.

In today’s Golos Armenii issue was suggested that Ashot Manucharyan has
relations with Armenian Intellectuals` Forum, which recently condemned Armenian
authorities.