OSCE Concerned About Increasing Number of Violent Incidents in ROA

A1 Plus | 22:01:51 | 29-04-2004 | Politics |

OSCE CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASING NUMBER OF VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN ARMENIA

The OSCE Office in Yerevan is deeply concerned about the increasing number
of violent incidents, an alarming lack of progress in bringing to justice
the perpetrators and the atmosphere of intolerance in the Armenian society.

“There is a need for an urgent, efficient and fair investigation of these
cases, resulting in the prosecution of the perpetrators in accordance with
the law,” said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office, in a
letter sent to Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian.

In this respect, Ambassador Pryakhin referred to the recent attack on the
Member of Parliament Victor Dallakian on 23 March, the beating of human
rights defender and Chairman of the Helsinki Association, Mickael Danielyan,
on 30 March, as well as of the well-known politician, Ashot Manucharyan on
22 April.

Ambassador Pryakhin expressed his regret that the investigation of these
incidents and of the attacks against journalists during the demonstrations
on 5 and 13 April had not progressed and no offender had yet been held
accountable.

At the same time, the Office is also concerned and follows closely the
investigation of the cases of violence, intimidation and detentions
following the recent demonstrations in Armenia.