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Member of Armenian delegation to PACE: We are dissatisfied with the assemblyâ€™s position in respect to Armenia

25 June 2009 08:02 (UTC +04:00)

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubayli â€“ APA. The Document 11962 â€œThe functioning of democratic institutions in Armeniaâ€ prepared by co-rapporteurs on Armenia Georges Colombier (France) and John Prescott (United Kingdom) was presented at the plenary meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on June 24, APAâ€™s Europe bureau reports. The rapporteurs spoke about the state of democracy in the country and touched on the main problems.

French co-rapporteur Georges Colombier highly appreciated the act of amnesty adopted in Armenia and said the decree is applicable not only to the imprisoned persons, but also to the persons, who hid from the police during March happenings.
â€œIf they surrender to the law-enforcement bodies by July 31, 2009, the amnesty will also be applied to them. It should be noted that PACE had a great role in the adoption of the amnesty. I think independent and transparent investigation should be carried out concerning the March happenings and this process should be completed. Moreover, there is a need for reforms in the judicial and police system. Reforms should also be carried out in Armenia concerning the right of election in the mayor elections. We, co-rapporteurs, consider that under the present circumstances PACE Monitoring Committee should support the reforms carried out in Armenia,â€ he said.

The other co-rapporteur John Prescott said the problems have not been completely solved in Armenia, but important steps have been taken in accordance with PACE requirements.
â€œAnyway, we will continue expressing our concern, advance our work in the Monitoring Committee,â€ he said.

Following this, discussions began on the report. Most parliamentarians expressed their concern over the state of human rights and democracy in Armenia.

Zaruhi Postanjyan, member of Heritage faction of Armenia, criticized Armenian government. She said the Armenian people are disappointed, as Armenian government does not fulfill the commitments undertaken vis-Ã -vis the PACE.
â€œI also want to express my dissatisfaction with PACE that prefers more geopolitical and other interests,â€ she said.

According to Zaruhi Postanjyan, the police system in Armenia is fully dependent on the government, no political conditions have been created for independent and alternative mass media, fundamental freedoms.
â€œDespite all this, no sanction is imposed on the country. The present political system in Armenia does not meet criteria of the Council of Europe. The attitude towards the criminal Armenian government, this position confuse the Armenian people. Therefore I consider that we should use more effective means within PACE in order to establish justice,â€ she said.

The document was put to the vote and adopted.