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COE: Commissioner Hammarberg visits Armenia to assess progress made in the investigation of post-election events

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, will start on Sunday a three-day visit to Erevan to weigh the progress made in the investigation of the violent events in connection with the demonstrations after the Presidential election in March. He will meet with the highest national authorities and will visit prisons accompanied by two members of his Office and Johan Hirschfeldt, an international expert with extensive experience on national commissions of inquiry.

"This visit is part of the ongoing dialogue with the Armenian authorities, and follows the visits carried out last October and March" said the Commissioner. "In my last report on Armenia, I advocated for a comprehensive investigation into the 1 March events. The aim of this visit is therefore to take stock of the progress made towards this end and gather accurate information on the number of detainees and their judicial status" continued Commissioner Hammarberg. "I have also taken note of the recent Resolution adopted by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on the functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia. In this context, I intend to provide an international contribution towards the improvement of the human rights situation in the country."

During his visit, the Commissioner will meet the highest State authorities, including the President Serzh Sargsyan, leading members of the Government, Parliament representatives, the Prosecutor General and members of the ad hoc Parliamentary inquiry committee. Commissioner Hammarberg will also hold further meetings with detainees and their lawyers, the Human Rights Defender, as well as representatives of international organisations and civil society.

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