A lawsuit is filed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Armenia. This was told by the Chairman of the “Informed Citizens Association” NGO, Daniel Ioannisyan, in the interview with Aravot.am, who also noted that the appeal was submitted at night by the lawyers, defending their rights for urgent procedure. Ioannisyan said that this urgent appeal reads that here, in Armenia, there might be a threat to the health and lives of the protesters as during the same protest, on June 23, 25 people applied for the medical aid and 5 of them were in the intensive care unit, and the police chief has also announced that they are going to use harsher methods against the protesters.
In addition, the appeal details all the offenses committed by the police and the authorities: obstructing the work of journalists, the use of violence against individuals during the peaceful rallies, and keeping individuals detained to the police department longer of the defined term. “We have mentioned that this very threat once again is posed to the citizens of Armenia,” said Ioannisyan. Aravot.am was curious to know that since the lawsuit is an urgent proceeding, so whether they have any news about it, what will happen after accepting the lawsuit as a proceeding, and if a judgment is made in favor of them, then what it assumes. In this regard, Ioannisyan said, “They have received the lawsuit, and they may reject or not. If a proceeding is accepted, they will examine by rather accelerated procedure and will declare the verdict. The ECHR will oblige the RA authorities to restore our violated rights and take measures for non-recurrence of the violation of our rights.”
Daniel Ioannisyan said they have submitted a lawsuit by bypassing the RA law enforcers as there is a real danger for the lives of the citizens. “Until now, we see a heavy equipment in Baghramyan Avenue: 4 units of combat equipment that are used during the military operations, we see 4 water cannons, not to speak about the large number of policemen, not to speak about the intimidations by the police chief. This issue is very important and if the verdict is made in favor of us, it will become mandatory for the RA authorities. If it failed to fulfil, then the compulsory service will fulfil it. The core sense of the lawsuit is that the RA authorities have changed their stance in these days. Yesterday, the deputy police chief Osipyan has said that they will not use force, they are now talking with a request, dear people, please, do not make noise, keep the rules of coexistence. They have stepped back from the style of intimidation. All of this is related to the lawsuit, because the ECHR was supposed to demand explanation from the RA authorities, now, they are trying to convince the ECHR with their mild behavior that there is no danger. Importantly that now ECHR is knowledgeable about the true events going on here.”
Nelly BABAYAN
