Responses of the Ombudsman and the Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs to Application on Political Prisoners
18:41, April 11, 2014 | News, Own news | Prohibition of Discrimination, Right to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, Right to Fair Trial, Right to liberty and security | Political Prisoners
On March 22, 2014, a number of non-governmental organizations and citizens submitted applications to the RA Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan, RA Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan and the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Elinar Vardanyan. Such applications read as follows:
“… We are hopeful that by realizing the indisputable significance of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, you share our position and will consistently seek proper investigation procedures for the fabricated criminal cases against RA citizens Volodya Avetisyan, Shant Harutyunyan, Vahe Mkrtchyan, Liparit Petrosyan, Alek Poghosyan, Misak Arakelyan, Albert Margaryan, Hayk Harutyunyan, Armen Hovhannisyan, Vardan Vardanyan, Avetis Avetisyan, Sevak Mnatsakanyan, Anushavan Grigoryan, Tigran Petrosyan and Mkrtich Hovhannisyan and immediate termination of their political persecution.”
In response to the application, the Ombudsman wrote that considering the compliance of the application with the requirements of Article 7 of the RA Law on Human Rights Defender and guided by Article 11(1)(1) of the Law he decided to handle the complaint and assign its examination to L. Vardapetyan.
The response of the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Elinar Vardanyan closely mirrors the text of the application submitted. In particular, the Chair of the Standing Committee stated:
“We hereby declare that the Committee will consistently seek proper investigation into the criminal cases of the persons mentioned.”
Thus, the Prosecutor General of the RA either has no wish to respond to the application or just has nothing to say.