PanARMENIAN.Net
EP adopts resolution calling on RA authorities to lift emergency rule
14.03.2008 17:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `In the wake of the presidential elections in
Armenia on 19 February, a police crackdown against opposition
supporters who were peacefully contesting the results left eight dead
and dozens injured. A state of emergency was declared on 1 March and
media freedom has been restricted,’ says a European Parliament’s
resolution, adopted by 60 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions.
The resolution deplores the loss of life, urges all parties to act
responsibly and calls on the authorities to investigate the violence
and take other measures.
The International Election Observation Mission stated that the
elections were "administered mostly in line with OSCE and Council of
Europe commitments and standards" but also identified a number of
concerns, in particular concerning the media’s commitment to providing
impartial information.
In the resolution, Parliament "expresses its concern at recent
developments in Armenia" and "calls on all parties to show openness
and restraint, to tone down statements and to engage in a constructive
and fruitful dialogue aimed at supporting and consolidating the
country’s democratic institutions".
It also calls "for a prompt, thorough, transparent, independent and
impartial investigation of the events of 1 March" and "for all those
responsible to be brought to justice and punished for misconduct and
criminal acts of violence". The Council and Commission should offer
EU assistance to help with the investigation.
The Armenian authorities are asked to lift the state of emergency,
restore media freedom and take all measures necessary to ensure a
return to normalcy. In addition, they are urged "to release citizens
detained for exercising their right of peaceful assembly".
Parliament points out that the EU’s Action Plan with Armenia under the
European Neighborhood Policy covers the strengthening of democratic
structures and the rule of law. In this context, it urges the
Commission "to focus its assistance to Armenia on the independence of
the judiciary and the training of police and security forces" and
calls on the Armenian authorities "to implement swiftly all the
remaining recommendations made by the International Election
Observation Mission", the EP press service reports.