“I believe that what I testify to them would have some importance for their conclusion when it comes to the possible sanction, which would mean that the parliamentary delegation from Armenia would be deprived of their right to vote,” said CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg in a press conference. And as a summary result of his regular visit, the CoE Commissioner presented his assessment on Armenia’s implementation of Resolutions # 1609 and 1620 prior to the January summit of the Council of Europe, “Armenia’s issue has already been included in the agenda. Before the summit, I have two concerns. First, whether there will really start an impartial inquiry into the March events, and second, what’s the situation with the people arrested on charges of organizing the March events and how they are treated in the places of detention. I am independent of the summit as much as the summit is independent of me. However, whatever I report or present as an evidence, that will have a significant impact on the conclusions of the summit. I consider the application of sanctions possible. Depriving Armenia of the right to vote may be one of such sanctions. However, we still have some time, and that period is quite enough for recording a certain progress. Today, I positively estimate the initiative of setting up a fact-finding group. However, it is very fragile. There is a need for assistance for ensuring the independence and impartiality of the group. The bad news is that I am concerned about the condition of the detainees and the level of the preparation of the proceedings.” Therefore the only possible solution for correcting the situation and our status in the Council of Europe is the quick release of political prisoners through extraordinary court trials.
