Does the ombudsman play into Azerbaijan's hands?
RA Ombudsman Armen Harutiunian today presented his 2008 report in the National Assembly. Mr. Harutiunian briefed on the boisterous post-election clashes of March 1-2, 2008.
"We consider most alarming police officers' unlawful and inadequate behaviour during the events of March 1-2, which was accompanied by violence, torture, mass arrest, and so on," reads the report.
The Ombudsman's Office considered "the actions of the prosecutor's office and special investigation bodies as repressive."
Republican MP, Deputy Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on the Protection of Human Rights, Rafik Petrosian, got indignant at the Ombudsman's report. He accused Armen Harutiunian of defaming the country and taking an opposition posture.
"You play into Azerbaijan's hands as they say the same thing from the PACE rostrum. Armenian opposition closely cooperates with Azerbaijanis," said Mr. Petrosian.
"In some situations a human rights defender has to take the role of an opponent. It is not me who tarnishes this country and its people. It is the structures and officials who violate human and civil rights.
