Journalists are worried over the fact that there is ongoing pressure and threats as the parliamentary elections get closer. The people pressuring and threatening are the ones afraid of criticism and having some of their actions revealed.
Two unusual cases took place last week alone-head of the “Investigative Journalists” NGO Edik Baghdasaryan received a threat, while photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan from the “Fourth Power” newspaper was attacked, physically abused and robbed for simply carrying out his professional duties. In their court appeals, our colleagues have stated the names of the suspects “unsatisfied” with the journalists’ work. In fact, Gagik Shamshyan has even said the names of the people who threatened and attacked him, but according to our sources, there haven’t been any legal proceedings yet and the journalist has been “punished” again.
This proves that not only is there capriciousness before the elections, but also that police are not able to ensure the security of mass media representatives and keep the criminals away. It is worth mentioning the clause stated in the RA law about ” Mass Media”, which reads as follows:
“During his legal, professional work, the journalist is protected by the Republic of Armenia” and that “It is forbidden to… 3) create obstacles for the journalist”.
But the law and the cases don’t correspond. The majority of crimes against journalists, including the obstacles created for the journalists, remain unrevealed.
In this context, we don’t accept the silence of the Armenian prosecutor’s office to the many calls to release chief editor of “Time-Yerevan” newspaper Arman Babajanyan. We don’t have the right to get deeper into the legalities of the case or to predict the investigation results of any of the cases mentioned above. We are worried because there is no response from the authorities regarding the tense situation of journalists, provision of security and our calls.
Once again, we urge you to discuss the issue of changing the means of keeping Arman Babajanyan locked up, investigate and punish the criminals that attacked Gagik Shamshyan and research in detail the threats made to Edik Baghdasaryan. The government’s readiness to respect the democratic institutes, especially the press, and defend the citizens from hooligans trying to come to power will determine the kind of environment the upcoming parliamentary elections will take place in.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
Chief editor of “Aravot” daily
HAKOB AVETIKYAN
Chief editor of “Azg” daily
NIKOL PASHINYAN
Chief editor of “Time-Yerevan” daily
SATIK SEYRANYAN
Chief editor of “168 Hours” semi-weekly
SHOGHER MATEVOSYAN
Chief editor of “Fourth Power” newspaper
HOVHANNES GALAJYAN
Editor of “Iravunk” newspaper
LIZA TCHAGHARYAN
Correspondent editor for “Time-Yerevan” daily
VASAK DARBINYAN
Chief editor of “Taregir” newspaper
BORIS NAVASARDYAN
Head of Yerevan Press Club
ASHOT MELIKYAN
Head of the Freedom of Speech Defense committee
VARTAN HARUTYUNYAN
Head of the Right and Freedom Center
AVETIK ISHKHANYAN
Head of the Armenian Helsinkian Committee
July 17, 2006