In advance of OSCE Summit in Astana, we, undersigned Armenian civil society organizations, would like to bring to your attention a number of pressing human rights issues which negatively affect the state of democracy in Armenia.

Despite the concrete demands articulated in resolutions 1609 (2008), 1622 (2008), 1643 (2009) and 1677 (2009) adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and solid criticism from European Union, United States Government and many other international organizations and foreign governments following the crisis after the rigged presidential elections of February 2008, the Armenian authorities have failed to conduct an impartial and comprehensive investigation into the events of March 1st 2008 and release "persons deprived of their liberty on political grounds". Those responsible for the killings of innocent civilians have not been called to account, and 11 of political prisoners still remain in prisons.

Taking into account the role of the OSCE in promoting human rights and democracy, and in the run-up to the Summit, which we view as an opportunity to advance and protect human rights in OSCE member countries, we call upon you to urge the Armenian authorities to:

- secure the immediate release of all political prisoners
- ensure an independent and impartial investigation into the events of March 1st, 2008

Yours sincerely,

Natalya Martirosyan, Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Armenian Committee
Sona Ayvazyan, Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center
Melissa Brown, Shahkhatun-Political Prisoners' Wives
Mikayel Danielyan, Armenian Helsinki Association
Arthur Sakunts, Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor office
Levon Barseghyan, Journalists Asparez Club
Vardan Harutyunyan, Center for Rights and Freedom
Nadezhda Hakobyan, Menq Plus NGO
Nouneh Dilanyan, Mijnaberd Cultural-Educational NGO
Karen Hakobyan, Hope NGO
Isabella Sargsyan, Youth for Democracy