Statemeny by NGOs 20.03.2008

Dear Mr. Secretary General,

The deep political crisis, which emanated from the 2008 rigged presidential elections and is the result of a violent crackdown on the March 1 peaceful demonstrations and protests against fraud, remains unsettled even though more than two and a half years have passed since the day:

Opposition politicians Aleksandr Arzoumanian and Ararat Zurabian were arrested on 10 March in the capital, Yerevan. Dozens of opposition activists have also been arrested before and since the disputed presidential election of 19 February. All are at risk of torture or other ill-treatment; there have been numerous reports of the beating of detainees while in police custody, while others believe they have been imprisoned solely on account of their political beliefs.

Armenia։ Lift Ban on Peaceful Protest
Opposition Demonstrators Detained Under New Restrictions
(New York, March 27, 2008) " The Armenian government should lift new restrictions on freedom of assembly and cease detaining opposition supporters participating in peaceful protests, Human Rights Watch said today.

Commissioner Hammarberg calls on the Armenian government to lift emergency measures, ensure media freedom and initiate an impartial investigation into recent violent acts
Strasbourg 18.03.2008 - "The State of Emergency should be lifted in Armenia and an independent, impartial and transparent inquiry initiated to clarify what actually happened during the confrontations in Yerevan between the police and opposition demonstrators on 1 March", said Council of Europe Commissioner on Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg after a three-day visit to Armenia.

The Presidency of the EU is concerned about the situation in Armenia, and calls on the Armenian authorities to lift the State of Emergency. The Presidency is particularly concerned about reports of continuing arrests.
The Presidency welcomes the positive decision of the Armenian authorities to lift two provisions of the declaration of the State of Emergency on the activities of political parties and NGOs, and the announcement that the lifting of the restrictions on the media is being considered.