CoE Secretary General calls for political dialogue to solve the crisis in Yerevan

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland concerned over hostage crisis in Yerevan.

“I follow with concern the events taking place in our member state of Armenia, where for several days already, an armed group has taken hostages in a police station in Yerevan,” the Secretary General said in a statement.

“I would like to recall that in states governed by the rule of law, all conflicts should be resolved through political dialogue with a respect for democratic norms and standards,” the statement reads.

“I therefore call on all those concerned to put an end to this dangerous situation without delay, and to return to the use of democratic means. Democracy, human rights and the rule of law must prevail. The freedom of assembly must be fully respected,”  Thorbjørn Jagland said.

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Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS