On the International Day of Human Rights, several Armenian NGOs (Helsinki Committee of Armenia, Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Center of Freedom and Law) released a statement voicing their concerns over the problems in the country’s justice and law enforcement system.
The statement indicates law enforcement bodies’ unlawful conduct in 2009, particularly extortion of evidence by use of force and irregularities observed during court proceedings. “A fair example is the March 1, 2008 tragic events and the subsequent developments,” says the release.
According to the representatives of above mentioned state bodies, the circumstances in which 10 people died during March 1 disorders still remain undisclosed and over a dozen political prisoners are kept under arrest.
In their statement, NGOs also urge Armenian authorities to disclose, within the shortest time-limits, the circumstances of March 1 tragedy victims’ death and hold the culprits accountable, as well release all political prisoners.
