The issues related to the initiating
of criminal prosecution and depriving of the liberty of the former Head of
Meghri Community of Syunik province, the administrative Heads of Vorotan,
Karahunj communities and Goris Community, and the Heads of Kajaran and Sisian
communities, were under the attention of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia
since their initiation.
In particular, after the
receipt of the alarming-calls by the Human Rights Defender, a working group was
sent to Syunik province, visits were made to a number of the heads of
communities that were deprived of their liberty, and discussions were held with
the residents of the region. Discussions were also held with some of the
mentioned law enforcement and local self-government bodies. The publications of
the media and social networks are studied and analyzed separately.
The lawyers of the heads of
the communities addressed complaints to the Human Rights Defender regarding the
criminal prosecutions against them and the deprivation of their liberty.
According to the lawyers, the criminal prosecutions, the arrests and detentions
have no grounds and they should be stopped or eliminated immediately.
A number of official letters
have already been sent by the Office Human Rights Defender.
Moreover, a meeting with
lawyers took place at the Office of the Human Rights Defender on July 16th.
The issues raised by the lawyers of the
heads of Goris, Sisian, Kajaran communities, and former head of Meghri
community and the protection of the rights of each of their clients were
discussed in detail. Among other issues, the lawyers claimed that the arrest
and apprehension of their clients took place with violations of their rights;
the initiation of criminal proceedings and their detention took place in violation
of the law. During the meeting, they also discussed the taking of appropriate
measures by the Human Rights Defender.
With
this statement, we consider it necessary to mention that within the competence
of the Human Rights Defender, the measures provided by law will continue to be
taken, including through discussions, visits and official communications.
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