We, the undersigned representatives of Armenia's civil society, hereby affirm that: - the peaceful demonstrations and rallies, which were held following the 2008 presidential elections in Armenia, were the manifestation of the citizens' dissatisfaction with the elections, accompanied as they were by fraud and violence; these demonstrations and rallies were also a protest against the limitations that were put on free speech, the repression of human rights, and the impunity of the real criminals, all of which continue to deteriorate; - the use of brutal force against the peaceful demonstrators at Liberty Square on the morning of March 1 and the ensuing arrests were a confrontational and a disturbing measure taken by the authorities, and it was the primary cause of the tragic events that unfolded on March 1 and through the morning of March 2; - the army's barricading of the peaceful demonstrators and the firing of real bullets constitute a provocation by the Armenian authorities and a crime committed against their own people; - the suppression of the citizens by way of media blockades and censorship, the denial of free speech to individuals and associations, the widespread violations and political manhunts - all of which are the direct consequence of the state of emergency declared on March 1 - stand as yet another revelation of the truly anti-democratic substance of today's rulers; - the fact that the Constitutional Court did not guarantee constitutional justice bespeaks the absence of an independent and impartial judiciary branch in a country that has declared itself democratic and lawful; and, - the National Assembly's post-election activities, and specifically the adoption of laws that legally consolidate tyranny in Armenia - which is a blatant violation of Armenia's constitution and the international conventions on the protection of human rights - once again show that the country's legislative branch is a mere servant of the executive branch. We therefore condemn the extensive and systemic fraud and violation carried out by Armenia's authorities during the elections, the post-election violence, the abrogation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the political manhunts, all of which were masked under the pretext of "preventing the danger that threatens constitutional order and defending the people's rights and lawful interests." We demand that the authorities: - release all political prisoners forthwith and cease the "witch hunt," the large-scale pursuit and intimidation of Armenian citizens carried out by the National Security Service and the Police Department; - undo the changes made in Armenian law with respect to the legal consolidation of power and the limitation of human rights and fundamental freedoms; and, - put an end to untrue, provocative, intolerant, and biased media coverage, which result from the authorities' unlawful and total control of the media. We ask that the international community: - conduct an independent inquiry to reveal the real culprits of the events of March 1 and 2, and - take preventive measures against the limitation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia, and contribute to the establishment of institutions that are guided by truly democratic values.
"Foundation against Violation of Law" NGO "Armenian Ecotourism Association" NGO "Asparez" Journalists' Club Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression "Cooperation for Democracy" NGO Helsinki Citizens' Assembly NGO Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office "Huys" NGO "Krtutian Asparez" NGO "Lawyers for Human Rights" NGO "Menq Plus" NGO National Citizens' Initiative "Rights and Freedom Center" NGO "St. Sandukht" NGO The Soldier's Protection Committee Transparency International Anti-corruption Center Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development "Victims of State Needs" NGO Women's Republican Council "Women's Resource Center" NGO "Young Conservatives" NGO "Youth for Democracy" NGO "Zartonk-89" NGO
