The justification of violence carried out at Baghramyan Avenue
It is the note by the Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan
It turns out that the RA police have already detected the justification-document, which is used to substantiate the violence carried out on June 23 at Baghramyan Avenue. This is Taron Margaryan’s note in which he states that the protesters had the right to carry out a protest action at a certain time and at a certain location, in this case, the Liberty Square, and in the case of violation, they had no right to raise their voice of protest in another location. Member of the Yerevan City Council “Hello Yerevan” faction, Stepan Safaryan, in the conversation with “Aravot”, noted that they knew about this note still in June, but he failed to introduce this issue into the City Council agenda and substantiate that such a document could not serve for carrying out such violence.
Mr. Safaryan was astonished. “It is something not typical in the international practice. According to the norms of any international convention, you cannot condition the realization of human rights and freedoms by a certain time and in a certain location. Taron Margaryan’s note means that no matter the problem will be resolved, I am giving you this much time. While, this note has served as a basis for the legalization of water cannons used on June 23. When you look at the actions of the police, they cite to Taron Margaryan’s note as he has said, solve your problem until 24:00, only the Liberty Square, and go home, and since you have not done it, we have dispersed you. And here is the disproportion.”
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Stepan Safaryan once has told Taron Margaryan that this note has served a basis for human rights mass abuse. The Avenue was still closed, and similar actions were expected, hence, he has suggested discussing this issue at the community council, but to no avail. And although Stepan Safaryan has made it clear that this note can have very serious consequences and become a reason for new violence, however, the council members were strongly against such an issue on the agenda. Mr. Safaryan expressed concern that unlike the Parliament there is no institute of an urgent issue at the community council.
“No to Plunder” initiative member, Maxim Sargsyan, did not know about this note. He considers it illegal and says, “It is an illegal document. Simply the City Hall has issued a document beyond its competences and powers, based on which actions are taken, which was not under the legal field.” He considers this a practice typical to the regime and notes, “Given the practice of the regime that they are not used to operate under the law, but they are accustomed to “Taron, it’s not nice” this kind of practice, it is normal that they have put a demand without any legal basis and the police relied on it. The police cooperate with the regime. The police operated not based on the law but a note from the mayor, which contains no reference to the law.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN,
“Aravot” daily
