FIDH calls Armenian authorities to release political prisoners

In the run-up to the Congress of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), to take place in Yerevan on April 6-8, the Federation has appealed to the authorities of Armenia to release all the country's political prisoners.

Souhayr Belhassen, President of the FIDH, has addressed the authorities of Armenia with an appeal to hold an effective investigation into the events on March 1, 2008, including, the inquiry into the murder of ten citizens.

"Release of political prisoners will be evidence that Armenia advances towards supremacy of the law. Armenia has human rights problems; and there are also serious problems in the sphere of justice, which essentially hamper the supremacy of the law in Armenia. We hope that the Congress will start its work in the Armenia, which is free of political prisoners," runs Ms Belhassen's statement.

Let us note here that some Armenian human rights activists had stated that they would not take part in the Congress. Thus, Vardan Arutyunyan, chairman of the organization "Centre of Law and Freedom", refused to take part in the event, where, according to his story, "the floor would be given to authors and executors of illegal litigations, which followed the 2008 March events."

Arthur Sakunts, head of the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Civil Assembly, also refused to attend the Congress, having motivated his decision by the fact that the agenda did not assume presentations of human rights activists, and the possible final document would take into account only the viewpoints of state officials of Armenia.