Recently, published in the “Implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy 2013 – Annual Progress Report” was published, which contains estimates about the violence against human rights defenders, infringements and tortures on civil society activists and journalists. The report specifically states that the number of records on violence against political activists and human rights defenders, as well as infringements against peaceful demonstrators and excessive pressures has been increased. The RA Human rights defender stated the violence committed by the police, however, no violator has been brought to responsibility by the court.” The report also notes that “human rights defenders, journalists and other persons who have opinions of minority about controversial issues, such as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the abuse in armed forces, sometimes are subjected to intimidation, harassment, threats and violence.” With this regard, in the conversation with Aravot.am, human rights defender, the Head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office Artur Sakunts assured that the EU report provides for all the problems that exist in our country. “We have a lot of facts about violence against human rights activists, journalists, and civil society activists. During the 2013 presidential elections and council elections, when we were exercising an observation mission, the infringements against civil activists, especially near the Municipality, are sharply increased. Let’s remember the infringements against civil activists during the civil actions on municipal transport fare, especially near the Municipality, the violence against the Board member of Transparency International Center Surik Saghatelyan, the fact of violence against participants of civil disobedience by Shant Harutyunyan, obvious illegal imprisonment of 100 participants protesting against Serzh Sargsyan’s decision to join the Customs Union, even in the short term, when they were apprehended to the police station during the peaceful rally and disabled the march. In 2013 municipal elections, there were also violence against MP Zaruhi Postanjyan. Only during the protest on December 2, there were public intimidations against human rights activists, journalists, and civil society activists through the media being managed by the authorities and operated under their leadership, when they were called national traitors, or the 5th echelon, demolishers of the state security.” Artur Sakunts also reminded about the Khachik Saryan’s threats addressed to Zaruhi Postanjyan. “There was a public threat against Postanjyan to burn her on the fire. The case is in the phase of trial. Since filing a criminal case was denied, we appeal it to the court.” Artur Sakunts noted that now the police had changed its method of oppression and violence on the citizens. “If in the past the police was directly used for restricting the activities of journalists, infringement against human rights defenders and activists, it was apprehending Levon Barseghyan, for example, a new phenomenon occurred in 2013. They started using the criminal people and commit violence with the help of them. As if they were unable to identify those committing violence and crime. Both, the police committing violence remains unpunished, so as the civilians committing violence, which are sponsored or are close relatives of political power or their supporters. In other words, there is an atmosphere of impunity. If we look at the number of suits against mass media and journalists, we can see a growth. In other words, there is a policy inside the state to punish those alarming about the violations. The violence still continues to function on the Police departments as a method for obtaining evidence. Moreover, the complaints that refer to violence by police officers against civilians, as a rule, criminal cases are not initiated. Even if initiated, they are discontinued due to the lack of evidence. Police continue to be a tool in the hand of government. The report indicates that “anxiety is raised about suspicious deaths in the Armed Forces under non-combat conditions, as well as concern over the practice of hazing and other mistreatment of conscripts.” As said by Artur Sakunts, “Every time when we voice cases of violation of human rights in armed forces, we hear rages, including by the members of RPA faction Haik Babukhanyan, Artashes Geghamyan, and Karen Avagyan.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
