The Human Rights Defender considers the demolition of a
part of the multistory buildings located at 5/1 Paruyr Sevak Street in Yerevan
to be highly concerning and inadmissible in a way that threatens people's lives
and health, harms the environment, as well as with the non-compliance with the
requirements of work safety rules.
The Defender specifically emphasizes that she had earlier
informed the competent state and local self-government bodies about the obvious
contradictions between the legal acts regulating the sphere and the methods of
the demolition of the multistory building, as well as the documents underlying
the demolition permit and its proposed methods, and also requested to take the
appropriate steps to resolve the issue according to human rights
standards. Moreover, based on the
initiative of the Defender, a number of discussions were organized with state
and local self-government bodies regarding the mentioned issue.
The Human Rights Defender also considers it concerning
that during these months, works related to the demolition process were carried
out in different formats, while the residents of the adjacent buildings were
not properly informed causing distress and panic among them. Moreover, in
certain situations, the Defender has registered issues related to the safety of
children.
The Defender underlines that the presented preliminary
separate information that a collapse occurred during the works does not in any
way eliminate the obligations and responsibilities of the state and the
entities implementing the works in this sphere, including from the viewpoint of
ensuring the safety of the works being carried out.
The abovementioned has led to and continues to lead to
the violation of a number of human rights, including the rights of the child.
A relevant letter will be addressed to the General
Prosecutor's Office of Armenia, to make the circumstances of the actions
(inaction) of the competent state and local self-government bodies, as well as
possible violations by the persons and organizations involved in the process of
carrying out the dismantling works, subject to discussion within the framework
of the criminal proceedings. Along with the above, letters will also be
addressed to the relevant inspection bodies, with the request to undertake the
necessary measures within their powers.
Taking into consideration that the demolition works have
not been completed, and considering the several complaints of the residents,
and the fact that the current situation is very concerning, the Defender notes
that immediate measures should be taken to exclude further violations of human
rights.
The video and
photos have been sent to the Human Rights Defender by citizens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNlvSe4zWCA
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