SOCIETY DOES NOT NEED RIGHTS
Support A1+!This year 8 Jehovah's Witnesses were arrested in Armenia on the accusation of avoiding military service. However, last year Armenia adopted the law “On Alternative Military Service” according to which they should have been released.
Chairman of the Helsinki Association, human rights activist Mikael Danielyan considers that from the viewpoint of human rights the situation with fundamental freedom is rather grave in Armenia. «The violations of human rights are similar to cancer symptoms. If they are not prevented at an early stage metastases appear in other parts. To date only the position of the leadership can the situation», he says.
When commenting on the violation of human rights Mikael Danielyan cites the Convention on Human Rights, all the 3 tens of items of which are violated in Armenia, including the right of rest. In his opinion, our society is not self-sufficient to defend its rights to date.
«The rise in prices that has occurred in Armenia recently would not be tolerated in any other country. Our nation lacks the demand for human rights. I think it's useless to change the Constitution and laws in our country», the human rights advocate says.
As for the constitutional amendments, in Mikael Danielyan's opinion, the extension of the President's authority is a direct violation of human rights. He is convinced that rights and freedoms should prevail over responsibilities. «For instance, if the Constitution provides for the freedom of speech and censorship is banned, so what is the law «On Mass Media» for? » the human rights activist asks.
Lena Badeyan
