Strictly adhere to the principle of equal responsibility before the law
17:20, July 25, 2016 | Announcements, Own
After ‘Sasna Tsrer’ Group seized with the use of arms the premises of the RA Police patrol and guard service regiment with all the ammunition therein on July 17, 2016 and published their demands on Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation from his office of the RA President and release of Zhirayr Sefilyan and the other political prisoners, the authorities, represented by the law enforcement agencies, took large-scale actions against the members and supporters of the Founding Parliament and other RA citizens.
Over the past 8 days, spontaneous assemblies and marches were held; the main demand of the people attending them was to evade force and overcome the current crisis only through negotiations to prevent the possible bloodshed and further aggravation of the crisis.
The spontaneous assemblies and marches were accompanied by violence and pressure by police forces against the participants of the assemblies. Despite the efforts of the assembly participants to avoid clashes with the law enforcement agencies, sometimes it appeared impossible to prevent such clashes resulting in bodily injuries sustained by both the civilians, and the representatives of the law enforcement agencies.
Criminal proceedings were initiated with а qualification of inciting mass riots, under which a number of citizens were prosecuted.
At the same time, under the criminal proceedings initiated later based on the illegal actions taken by the law enforcement agencies against citizens for their political views, we can see no efforts and consistency in the criminal prosecution against the police officers who exerted violence, including any evidence of arrest and detention.
Moreover, without applying the legal regulations and any reasonable grounds, the searches, persecution and harassment against RA citizens are obviously carried on.
Having created for years an atmosphere of impunity by their illegal actions, the RA authorities do not change their practices in the current crisis situation and carry on violating human rights:
- right to security of person and home;
- right to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment;
- right to legal protection;
- right to medical care;
- freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and right to receive and impart information,
which are enshrined in the RA legislation and the protection of which is the responsibility of the RA authorities.
The main guarantees for overcoming the current political crisis may be only the actions aimed at application of the rule of law principle, equal responsibility before the law and elimination of the practices of impunity.
We hereby once again urge the RA authorities to overcome the practices that have become usual over the years and exert efforts in the current crisis situation to ensure substantial and unreserved protection of human rights and prevention of the actions leading to human rights violations.