On
September 23, on the instructions of the Human Rights Defender, the rapid
response groups visited to the police departments within the framework of the cases
of arresting people participating in the protests in different parts of
Yerevan.
Private
interviews were held with persons deprived of liberty, the grounds for arrest,
the state of ensuring their rights in the police departments were examined.
The
Human Rights Defender emphasizes once again that the use of force by police
officers should be proportional, according to the law and strictly in
accordance with the specific cases. The Defender also calls on the participants
of the protests to exercise restraint and follow the requirements set by the
legislation. The peaceful nature of the assemblies must be guaranteed.
In
this situation it is also important that public and political figures as well
as mass media not only exclude any speech promoting hatred, violence or intolerance,
but oppose such speech.
Public
solidarity can be ensured only through a tolerant and empathetic attitude
towards others and through respectful dialogue. Such an environment should be
contributed by competent state bodies and officials, as well as by other public
and political figures and mass media.
The
Office of the Human Rights Defender is operating in an emergency mode,
monitoring and examinations are being carried out by the staff.
The
hotline numbers of the Human Rights Defender's office are 116 and (096) 116100.
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