The Council of Europe’s top human rights official Thomas Hammarberg expressed “deep concern” at Armenian law-enforcement bodies’ failure to solve any of those killings. “The failure of these investigations is very serious because it means in reality that these cases have not been clarified and there is a problem there with impunity,” he said.
Ending a four-day fact-finding visit to the country, Thomas Hammarberg did not rule out a quick release of the nine oppositionists jailed in connection with the unrest and a disputed presidential election that preceded it. He also made clear that the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) is unlikely to impose sanctions on Armenia’s government. He came to this conclusion after meeting the representatives of government and opposition, the relatives of the victims of the March 1 events, meetings with the political prisoners and their relatives. Mr. Hammarberg also expressed concern that the consequences of the March 1 events are not fully annihilated but the commissioner was milder this time in his formulations than during his previous visits in 2008. Let us remember that Hammarberg is the official from the PACE that called the events of March 1 and the persecutions of the opposition “political vendetta.” The ones, who were expecting fair solution and evaluation from the tragic events, considered Hammarberg the most objective representatives from the Council of Europe. During the previous years, co-rapporteurs Jorge Colombier and John Prescott disappointed these people and the PACE wasn’t consistent either. Hammarberg went on to praise government pledges to reform the Armenian security apparatus and prevent a repeat of such violence in the future. The author of the words of “political vendetta” this time called the situation a deadlock because of the refusal of the opposition prisoners to plea for amnesty to the RA president. Asked whether the individuals regarded by the Armenian opposition and human rights groups as political prisoners could be set free soon, Hammarberg replied, “There were no replies [from the authorities] but I have the impression that they are thinking. We will see.” “I wouldn’t exclude any measures that I hope I have contributed to,” added the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights. Yesterday he also avoided calling them political prisoners by stipulating it with the fact that in the international convention of human rights there is no such term as “political prisoner.” But he also added that two main principles were violated with regard to the imprisoned oppositionists – fair trial and the principle of independence of political views from the law. The failure to disclose the murders of March 1, 2008 is equal to impunity," Mr. Thomas Hammarberg said in Yerevan on January 21. The CoE Commissioner is also concerned over the condition of citizens sent to prison after the tragic clashes. He has already talked to the Armenian authorities and called for their release. He also said Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasian acknowledged that Armenian courts mishandled at least some of the trials of the oppositionsists and that the authorities will seek to improve their “conduct.” In many of the unrest-related cases, the courts convicted defendants on the basis of claims made by police officers. The PACE strongly condemned this practice. The assembly also threatened to impose sanctions on its Armenian members if the authorities in Yerevan fail to comply with its resolutions in full. “I do believe that these people shouldn’t be in prison now because the indictment against them had certain political reasons,” said Hammarberg. Hammarberg went in details of his meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, saying that Pashinyan was very well prepared for the meeting. He also said that he met with Sasun Mikaelyan and found out that he has heart problems. Hammarberg wished him freedom, but failed to say when it can happen. Hammarberg said that he discussed with the power the release of the prisoners and appealed to free them. He says that he got the impression that the power is thinking about it. Everybody knows that certain violence is periodically practiced against Pashinyan and that his rights are limited. Often times he is not allowed to write papers and receive those. He met with Pashinyan but didn’t say anything particular about that meeting. “I think the government should reveal the cases of the 10 deaths and also release the prisoners,” he said. He also spoke about the ad hoc commission headed by Samvel Nikoyan. He mentioned that the culprits of not fully investigating the events of March 1 are the prosecutor’s office and the investigative body. So according to him these bodies cannot compete with other state structures of Armenia in terms of their work done. He also mentioned that he will write and release a report about his last visit to Armenia. The commissioner also gave such a promise during this 2008 visit to Armenia but the report was never released. When the journalists asked what if the report is not released this time either Hammarberg assured that the report would be released. He also spoke about the police structure by saying that the deputy-head of police has submitted a project of reforms. “In 2008 I also had concerns about the working behavior of the police and the lack of their professionalism. In order to exclude the repetition of the events of March 1 certain reforms are necessary,” said Hammarberg. While in Yerevan, the German commissioner also discussed what the Council of Europe sees as a lack of pluralism in Armenia’s broadcast media dominated by TV and radio stations loyal to the government. He said he specifically addressed the authorities’ reluctance to give new licenses to the A1+ and GALA channels. “I think that the system, as it works today, does not guarantee that pluralism,” Hammarberg said. Still, he stopped short from explicitly urging the authorities to let A1+ resume broadcasts after a nearly decade-long shutdown. “I will mention my concerns about the media sector in my upcoming report,” he said. He also expressed concern about the situation in the Armenian army, the violence and abuse and the cases of murder. He said that he had discussed these issues with defense minister and the head of the military police. “We should be very serious about this and the whole army must be alerted. The abused ones should be enabled opportunities to openly express their complaints without feeling any fear of punishment,” said Hammarberg.