Police violated Hovannisian’s right
Support A1+!Armenia's newly-appointed Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan has denounced yesterday's incident at Liberty Square in which police officers tore and broke an umbrella erected for hunger striker Raffi Hovannisian.
"Police clampdown on the citizens' attempt to put up an umbrella at the square is a violation of human rights. Erection of a single tent, which is not used for public events, cannot be viewed as a breach of public order," said the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman reminds that issues connected with the conduct of peaceful meetings, assemblies, rallies and demonstrations are regulated by the Law on conducting meetings, assemblies, rallies and demonstrations.
"Guided by the principle of humanity and taking into account the need to protect human rights and freedoms, I urge the Armenian police not to interfere with the citizens' actions and allow erection of the umbrella," said the Ombudsman.
Karen Andreasyan was informed about the incident by Heritage party MP Larisa Alaverdyan who was involved in the incident.
Note that today the Ombudsman visited Heritage Leader Raffi Hovannisian at Liberty Square.
Over the past three days, Heritage members have tried to get permission from police to put up the umbrella as a precaution against rain, but to no avail.
