The processes related to the early parliamentary elections in the
Republic of Armenia will be under the direct attention of the Human Rights
Defender; investigations, complaints and appeals will be conducted on issues
related to the Defender's competence.
Ensuring the right to vote is
one of the basic directions of the Human Rights Defender's activity. Due to
this right, democratic institutions and a system of government are being formed
in the country.
The freer and unhindered the
possibility of exercising the right to vote, the greater the trust in the newly
formed body as a result of the public expression of the citizen's will.
One of the fundamental issues
for this purpose is the elimination of insults, swearing and hatred, and the
guarantee of an atmosphere of solidarity in the country.
We call on all political actors
and public figures to refrain from actions that exacerbate society and increase
tensions, and use words that spread insults or hatred. Public figures, in
particular, are obliged to set an example in this matter by their actions and
words
Every process taking place in
the country must be unconditionally based on the rule of law. Human rights must
be at the heart of any initiative.
All state bodies, the
officials of these bodies should keep in mind that their direct obligation is
to exclude from their speech and behavior any event that leads to tension: insult
and hatred, swearing, direct or indirect justification or encouragement of
violence. The main responsibility for ensuring an atmosphere of solidarity,
human rights and respect for everyone's opinion lies on the state.
The monitoring of the Human Rights
Defender's staff shows that fake pages and accounts supporting different
parties have already been activated on social networks. They contain insults
that are offensive, aggressive, even encouraging or justified. These vile
phenomena increase the tension.
The Human Rights Defender
considers of key importance the rapid response of law enforcement agencies to
issues within their jurisdiction. The Defender's staff will provide the
necessary cooperation and communication with them on this issue.
The Human Rights Defender
will act exclusively within his competence and will operate as publicly as
possible.
Вe
inform once again for everyone's knowledge that the Defender does not have the authority
to resolve disputes or hear complaints, which are specific cases and aimed at
protecting specific officials from individuals or from private individuals.
The rights of journalists and
observers will be under the direct attention of the Human Rights Defender.
Accordingly, there will be a
Working Group at the Human Rights Defender's Office that will conduct an
independent monitoring in the pre-election, post-election stages, as well as on
the voting day.
On the day of the voting, the
central and regional subdivisions of the Defender's Office will work from early
morning on a 24-hour basis. Rapid response to verbal and written complaints
addressed to the Defender will be provided, including hotline alerts.
The representatives of the Working
Group will be sent to the regions or communities where there are no regional
subdivisions.
Complaints or alerts related
to the voting rights can be addressed to the Defender's Office by calling the
hotline at 116 or (096) 116 100.
Necessary
cooperation will be provided with the Central Electoral Commission and civil
society organizations.
Հայերեն
