U.S. Embassy in Armenia responds to Armenian authorities
"The wording of U.S. State Department's Human Rights Report 2010 stems from our guidelines for preparation of reports on all countries. In no way can it predetermine the outcome of the OSCE Minsk Group-mediated negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.
"We continue to uphold the three Helsinki principles - territorial integrity, the right to self-determination and the non-use of force or threat of force, as fundamental elements of any resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The report on Armenia provides a complete factual picture of Armenia, including the achievements of the government and challenges faced during the protection of human rights Armenian people. We expect to continue fruitful dialogue with the Armenian government on human rights issues raised in the report," reads the statement.
The statement came after the Armenian Foreign Ministry said Armenian authorities are determined to continue democratic reforms in Armenia.
"Regardless of all reports and their contents, Armenian leadership is determined to continue the process of democratic transformation because it is the choice of our country and its people," RA MFA spokesman Tigran Balayan said when commenting on the reports of the U.S. State Department and the UK.
Note that in the section on Armenia of its report "Human Rights-2010" published on April 8, the US Department of State criticizes the situation with human rights, election processes, and situation in the army, media, law enforcement bodies and courts.
