2012 parliamentary elections to be marred by large-scale fraud
The Civil Society Institute (CSI) has published its annual report, expressing concern over a number of violations and cases of violence against human rights advocates.
The report mainly focuses on the violence against environmentalist Mariam Sukhudyan and young activists of the opposition Armenian National Congress. It stresses that instances of violence and encroachment upon human rights activists particularly increase at the threshold of elections.
"We view all problems connected with the young activists as violence against human rights activists," said Artak Kirakosyan, member of the CSI Board.
For his turn, CSI Chairman Arman Danielyan noted that the rights of Armenian citizens are not fully protected.
"You may wonder why. First of all we lack independent judicial system which could prevent violence. Should we have free courts, we would be able to punish violators and election riggers and find the elections invalid," he said.
To amend the judicial system it is necessary to carry out constitutional changes which, according to Mr. Danielyan, are impossible in the next five years. The human rights activists think that the 2012 parliamentary elections will be marred by large-scale fraud as a result.
