Calling on Prescott to drop mandate
The "Center for Rights and Freedom" NGO (headed by Vardan Harutyunyan) has sent a letter to PACE Co-Rapporteur on Armenia John Prescott.
"Dear Mr. Prescott,
The media informed us that as PACE Co-Rapporteur on Armenia, you told journalists that you refuse to talk about Armenia and the political prisoners in the country.
What attracted our attention wasn't your refusal, which is unquestionably your right, but your reasoning. You said: "I am a Co-Rapporteur and have to prepare a report. When I meet with the authorities, they complain that I am not presenting the reality. When I meet with the opposition, they say I am not presenting the reality."
You actually accept the fact that you are dependent on the contradicting opinions of the Armenian authorities and the opposition. But the PACE mandate is given not to be dependent on the opinions of the authorities or the opposition or to be afraid of them, but to study the reality in Armenia, freely express opinions and impartially present those opinions to the PACE. Your words make it more than clear why the past two and a half years weren't enough for the PACE to condemn the falsified elections in Armenia and release the political prisoners. You were not involved in solving issues that emanate from the mandate of a Co-Rapporteur, but in maneuvering your way between the Armenian authorities and the opposition.
Mr. Prescott,
Since you are not able to free yourself from the pressures of the Armenian authorities and the opposition, we call on you to drop your mandate as Co-Rapporteur on Armenia as soon as possible. Perhaps after that, the mandate will go to a much more independent and impartial delegate who will set aside the contradicting interests of the Armenian authorities and the opposition and will be able to impartially present the reality to the PACE, which is exactly what the mandate of a Co-Rapporteur requires."
