TRANSPARENT AND NONDISCRIMINATORY APPLICATION OF LAW IN MATTERS OF ENTRY OF DIASPORAN ARMENIANS INTO THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA IS ESSENTIAL TO FAIR GOVERNMENT
19:28, February 10, 2016 | News, Other news | J. B. Ozkirisyan (Shant Voskerchyan)
The Armenian Rights Watch Committee (ARWC) of the Armenian Bar Association has been monitoring the case of Shant Voskerichian, a French national of Armenian origin denied entry into the Republic of Armenia in May 2015. This denial of entry has been challenged and the court hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2016, Yerevan, Armenia.
This case is of particular concern to the ARWC as no substantive explanation as to the basis for Mr. Voskerichian’s denial of entry has been provided by the Armenian Government so far. Accordingly, the Armenian Bar Association demands that governmental authorities publicly disclose the specific reasons why Mr. Voskerichian was denied entry to the Republic of Armenia. The Association further cautions all relevant governmental and judicial authorities in Armenia to ensure that the hearing of the case currently scheduled is conducted in full compliance with international norms of due process, including an opportunity to be heard and, of course, the chance to confront any substantive allegations.
While we admit that the Republic has the authority to regulate entry at its borders; we argue that it remains the duty of fair government to ensure that any regulation, even of entry into its borders, is in accordance with the rule of law and not exercised in an arbitrary or discretionary manner. To be clear, the need for transparent and nondiscriminatory application of law in border entry matters is particularly acute in the Armenian context where, by virtue of our historic and demographic circumstances, a significant portion of our Armenian nation lives outside the Republic and, as such, must not be subject to arbitrary restrictions on freedom of movement into, and within, the Armenian Republic.
Public disclosure of the reasons underlying the Government’s denial of Mr. Voskerichian’s entry and, of course, the administration of the scheduled hearing in accordance with both procedural and substantive due process is a matter of significant concern for the Association. To be sure, it must be a concern for Armenians globally who seek to maintain ties to the Armenian Republic and serve a role in the affairs of Armenian nation. The ARWC remains vigilant in its monitoring of the situation.
ARWC of the ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
February 7, 2016