Support for civil iniciatives Archives
Right to civil disobedience
The right to civil disobedience, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, conscience, thought and freedom of religion make part of the incomplete list of the rights retained by each individual, person and citizen, regardless of their place of residence, nationality, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, education, social status and the nature of the dominant regime in the country. A person is entitled to make independent decisions, express his/her opinions freely, defend his/her right to freedom and if necessary, oppose illegality.
“We are all from Childhood” festival-event dedicated to HCA Vanadzor’s 15th Anniversary
On September 14, 2013 Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor organized “We are all from Childhood” festival-event dedicated to HCA Vanadzor’s 15th anniversary at Vanadzor central park named after Sayat Nova. The goal of the event was to organize fun leisure time for Vanadzor residents, for a few hours take them away from everyday problems, provide pleasant moments to children, promote respect towards human rights and each other as well as humanitarian treatment.
The statement of the US Embassy is a support to the human rights activists: Artur Sakunts
It is noteworthy that the statement issued by the US Embassy also read, “The government should ensure that its citizens can exercise their fundamental rights of freedom of assembly, expression, and speech without fear of retribution.”
Local EU Statement on recent cases of violence against civil activists and intimidation of human rights defenders in the Republic of Armenia (13/09/2013)
The EU Delegation recalls that respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms remain essential elements in the European Union’s bilateral agenda with Armenia.
Urgent appeal of Armenian NGOs and citizens addressed to UN
A number of concerned NGOs and citizens in Armenia would like to appeal to you and bring to your attention the increasingly degrading situation in the field of human rights that is leading to physical injuries and risks to human life. State authorities do not take necessary actions to stop the violence, and the lack of adequate response and condemnation along with continuous impunity provide an evidence of their support for the brutalities by criminals and police.
STATEMENT ABOUT THE ACTS OF INTIMIDATION TOWARDS ARMENIAN CIVIC ACTIVISTS
We declare that the full responsibility for this act of intimidation falls on the authorities of Armenia, particularly the law enforcement bodies. If this crime is not solved as soon as possible, it will allow us to declare that this act of violence is directly sponsored by the Armenian authorities.
‘RA POLICE, WHAT A SHAME!’
On August 27, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., a march and assembly were launched against the mass repressions by the police in front of the RA Police Office. Despite the prior notice on holding the assembly directly in front of the Police Office, the Deputy Chief of the RA Police Valeri Osipyan argued that the assembly participants closed the entrance to the Police Office, and he was unable to ensure their security there.
“I can assume that the Police are either lying or are illiterate”
And if they were notified, then perhaps the recommendation wasn’t given to the police officials”, notes Mr. Sakunts and doesn’t exclude that the Police intentionally allowed Mihran Melkonyan to continue remaining in the sit-in action participant list, so that they well use the wanted “card” against the activists at their time of convenience.
The Latest Actions by the Police point to the State’s Attitude towards Public Initiatives
Artur Sakunts, Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor told journalists today that the recent unlawful conduct of the police against public initiatives, namely the activists of the Army in Reality Initiative, Vardges Gaspari and Lala Aslikyan. Sakunts noticed that the police actions show their attitude toward public initiatives.
Statement Summarizing Results of the Conference “Aarhus in Armenia: Evaluation by the Public”
The Republic of Armenia has signed the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) in June 1998 and ratified it in May 2001. The Convention entered into force in October 2001.
Homeless in Vanadzor expelled from their temporary shelters with nowhere to go
# 1 area of temporary shelters in Vanadzor has been sold and 40 homeless family members are in danger of being forced out of their home. The cases of many of them are currently being tried in Court. According to HCA-Vanadzor lawyer Haykuhi Harutyunyan, the sale was carried out illegally.
Statement
On August 27, 2009, the employees of the service of Compulsory Enforcement of Court Decrees and the employees of Police and the municipality performed unlawful actions while operating their functions in Vardanants and Spandaryan streets of Vanadzor.