IFEX – News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT – ARMENIA
5 June 2009
Human Rights Defenders’ Office must be recognised as an important actor in
protecting fundamental rights, says ARTICLE 19
SOURCE: ARTICLE 19, London
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – London, 5 June 2009 – ARTICLE 19 believes that the
Armenian government must recognise the Human Rights Defenders’ Office of
Armenia as an important actor protecting fundamental human rights.
Repression of freedom of expression in Armenia remains of great concern.
ARTICLE 19 congratulates the incumbent Armenian Human Rights Defender,
Armen Harutyunyan, on the fifth anniversary of the establishment of his
office and stresses the continued importance of his work in the area of
human rights and, in particular, freedom of expression. The Human Rights
Defenders’ Office is independent and non-political, established to monitor
and report on human rights violations and examine individual complaints. It
also has the authority to instigate its own investigations.
ARTICLE 19 welcomes Mr Harutyunyan’s commitment to freedom of expression,
as a central element of the national debate on human rights. This was
clearly demonstrated by last week’s conference on the right to freedom of
expression and fair trail, organised by the Human Rights Defenders’ Office,
to celebrate their fifth anniversary.
However, ARTICLE 19 would also like to use this opportunity to once again
raise concern about ongoing repression and erosion of the right to freedom
of expression in Armenia. We call on the Armenian government to:
– Reform Armenian legislation to bring about greater independence,
pluralism and diversity of its broadcasting services, in particular by
lifting the moratorium on the distribution of frequencies. We specifically
call on the government to implement a European Court of Human Rights
‘decision’ (See:
s/ECHR_Judgments/case%20of%20meltex%20ltd%20and%20 mesrop%20movsesyan%20v.%20armenia.doc
) to allow A1+ to take part in a public tender process under equal and fair
conditions.
– Further amend media legislation, to ensure that the National Commission
on Television and Radio is fully independent from the influence of the
government and that its composition represents the diversity of Armenian
society.
– Ensure safety for journalists, effectively investigating attacks and
intimidation of journalists, and bringing to justice those who have
instigated and carried out attacks.
ARTICLE 19 urges the Armenian government to enter into constructive
dialogue with the Human Rights Defender and civil society organisations in
order to facilitate a serious programme of reform.
man_rights_defenders_office/
For further information, contact ARTICLE 19, 6-8 Amwell Street, London,
EC1R 1UQ, U.K., tel: +44 20 7278 9292, fax: +44 20 7278 7660, e-mail:
[email protected], Internet:
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of
ARTICLE 19. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please
credit ARTICLE 19.
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