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Counrty visit

Commissioner Hammarberg concluded today a three-day visit to Erevan where he weighed the progress made in the investigation of the violent events in March in connection with the demonstrations after the recent Presidential election. He also sought information on the judicial procedures against those detained.

"The response to our recommendations is still unsatisfactory" said the Commissioner during the press conference in Erevan. "The Armenian authorities should make further efforts to ensure that human rights are respected and the recommendations made by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly are fully implemented".

The Commissioner was concerned that the inquiry started by the parliamentary commission would be unable to establish facts about the events 1-2 March in a manner that would be accepted as credible. "There is a need to ensure total impartiality".

He also stressed that only those who had themselves committed or directly ordered violent crimes should be brought to justice. "Court proceedings in all such cases should now be pursued without further delay and all other detainees should be released".

The Commissioner regretted that no policeman had so far been charged in spite of the evidence that excessive force had been used by law enforcement forces against demonstrators. "It is crucial that the judicial response to these unfortunate events has no political bias and is seen to be impartial", he said.

Commissioner Hammarberg is expected to present his observation to the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly next 11 September.

See also

Erevan 15/07/2008
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* On 16 March 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted a decision by which the Russian Federation ceased to be a member of the Council of Europe, after 26 years of membership.
** All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.