Kocahrian's name mentioned at PACE session
After the report on impunity in PACE member states at PACE's plenary session Armenian delegate Zaruhy Postanjyan made a speech and reminded European parliamentarians about an atmosphere of impunity reigning in Armenia.
"The March 1 will remain undisclosed as the main actor of the events and the key perpetrator of the carnage Robert Kocharyan used the whole arsenal and armed forces contrary to the RoA Constitution. He imposed a 20-day state emergency violating Article 15 of the International Convention on Human Rights.
Zaruhy Postanjyan's speech made the other members of the Armenian delegation indignant. Now they are going to answer Mrs. Postanjyan.
Diana Markosyan
Strasbourg
Zaruhy Postanjyan's speech
Dear colleagues,
Today I will speak about previously adopted resolutions concerning Armenia and the consequences of their non-enforcement and non-compliance, particularly regarding the painful reality of the "strengthening of impunity" among the authorities of my country. The most significant citation from Resolution 1609, adopted by the Assembly on 17 April 2008, firmly establishes that "the Assembly believes that the underlying causes of the crisis are deeply rooted in the failure of the key institutions of the state to perform their functions in full compliance with democratic standards and the principles of the rule of law and the protection of human rights."
In any state, one of the most important institutions is the judiciary, but when it is overly dependent on the executive branch of power and incapable of exercising sufficient independence, the citizens are denied any recourse or recompense when their rights are violated, even more, they are highly vulnerable to any abuse of power, which is in its term enjoys full impunity. The Assembly, by not sufficiently pressing for conformity to the demands of its resolutions, is in danger of contributing to a deepening of impunity.
I fully support when the Council of Europe considers the struggle against impunity as a priority, especially from the standpoint of protecting human rights, but I can not accept when the same Council of Europe is closing eyes on non compliance with its resolutions, as a result of which the authorities of some member- states are only strengthening their sense impunity in the face of violations against their own people.
The Armenian authorities are obliged to investigate the circumstances of the tragic and violent events of 1 March 2008 that resulted in the senseless loss of life and killing of 10 people, out of which according to official announcements at least three died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the police. Yet the Armenian authorities have failed to initiate even one criminal case in the face of multiple uncontested cases of excessive force, abuse and torture by law- enforcement personnel during the detention of individuals held in police stations, jails and other detention facilities, in violation of obligations assumed under the 2nd and 3rd articles of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Moreover, former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, in violation of the 15th Article of the European Convention on Human Rights, imposed a 20-day state emergency on 1 March 2008 and, in violation of the Republic of Armenia Constitution, ordered the use of the armed forces for domestic purposes. Unfortunately, the Assembly in this case has failed to evaluate or condemn these flagrant violations by the former and current Armenian authorities.
Dear colleagues,
The failure of the Armenian authorities to fulfill the basic terms and demands of Resolutions 1609, 1620 and 1643, duly adopted by the Council of Europe, only encourages a culture of impunity among the authorities of the Republic of Armenia.
Yet even the circumstances of the deliberate killings of 1 March 2008 remain undetermined and the political prisoners are still being held in detention.
In conclusion, I can only remind my colleagues that by closing the eyes to such impunity and allowing the Armenian authorities to subvert and ignore its obligations and commitments, particularly under these thee resolutions, you not only contribute to farther human rights violations in Armenia but also weaken and endanger the image and the reputation of the Council of Europe as an institution that embodies such core values as democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Unduly tolerable attitude in regard of such unashamed manifestation of impunity in one member state can also result in the reoccurrence of such "March 1st events" in all Council of Europe member-states.
Thank you for your attention.
Zaruhi Postanjyan
