“You made our work more complicated”
President of GALA TV Vahan Khachatryan sent a letter to the ambassadors of Council of Europe countries accredited to Armenia on the decision taken by the CE Ministerial Committee on "A1+" TV.
"Your Excellency,
I am writing this letter with deep disappointment and panic in relation to the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee's decision on ending the investigation into the case of "A1+" TV, accepting as a basis the fact that the Armenian government has fulfilled its obligations to restore the rights of "A1+".
I know very well how the rights of media are protected in Armenia. the regional GALA TV that I personally preside continues to be a target for nonsensical pressure ahead of the 2012 elections, even in the case when the European Court of Human Rights is still discussing our appeal filed in 2007 and 2008.
It is the right of "A1+", as well as all media outlets to receive fair, equal treatment according to the law. Free press guarantees the right to freedom of speech, which is the fundamental civil right that can't be duly exercised in the absence of freedom of mass media. In the case of "A1+", before and after the positive verdict of the European Court of Human Rights, the Armenian government didn't adopt new laws or rules and regulations, and it didn't strictly follow up on the demands for good and bad laws and rules and regulations to show that depriving "A1+" of airtime was legitimate.
Of course, it is up to the government and the society to change and improve the state of media in Armenia. Others can't do that for us. But you can't ignore the expectations of our society, our non-governmental organizations and our people to live under better conditions when you state that the Armenian government has fulfilled its obligations, while in reality it continues to avoid fulfilling those obligations.
It would be nice if you didn't impose inadequate standards or shut an eye when we don't meet the standards that have been set. Your decision doesn't encourage those who are fighting for democracy in our country. It's also not good for the freedom of press today as we are approaching the two-year election campaign. You have made our presses' work more complicated and have left the people in more despair.
I am sending this letter to you, diplomatic representatives of the Council of Europe-member states and ask you to disseminate this letter to your colleagues in the capital of your respective countries, as well as Strasbourg," as stated in the letter.
