As a result of the monitoring of the media and social
platforms, information was received that the access of unregistered citizens to
the settlement of Kirants settlement of Tavush Region was temporarily
restricted.
The staff of the Human Rights Defender has taken note of
the message of the National Security Service, according to which the
restrictions are related to carrying out preparatory works aimed at taking over
the protection of the state border of the Republic of Armenia in the Kirants
settlement.
According to the information received on May 20, the
entrance of MPS and media
representatives to Kirants was also prohibited by the Police.
At the same time, according to the published information,
the Police officers tried to take the filming crew of the Public TV station to
the residence, but the journalists of other news outlets saw it and did not
allow it.
Considering the above circumstances, the Human Rights
Defender requested relevant clarifications from the Ministry of Internal
Affairs.
The Defender emphasizes the exclusion of differentiated
approaches to mass media, as well as the preservation of the legality of
restrictions on the right to free movement.
Today it was also recorded that a group of people were
brought to the Police Department by physical force. On the instructions of
Defender Anahit Manasyan, the HRD representative went to the Noyemberyan Police
Department to visit the arrested persons and get acquainted with the state of
ensuring their rights on the spot.
The Defender especially emphasizes that the use of
disproportionate force by police officers is inadmissible under any
circumstances. The use of force is possible only in the presence of grounds
established by law, in compliance with the standards related to
proportionality.
The Human Rights Defender once again urges the competent
state authorities and the organizers and participants of the meeting to ensure
the peaceful course of the meeting and the existing legal standards in the
field.
The Defender's hotline numbers are 116 and (096) 116100.
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