Armenia: Commissioner Hammarberg visits Yerevan to advocate human rights protection

Strasbourg, 11.03.2008 – Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, will carry out a three-day visit to Yerevan starting on Wednesday 12 March where he will meet the highest national authorities in order to promote effective protection of fundamental human rights.

During his visit, the Commissioner will meet President Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister and President-elect Serj Sargsyan, former President and candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosyan, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan and the Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyunyan, as well as representatives of international organisations, the diplomatic corps and civil society.

Commissioner Hammarberg will also visit prisons, police stations and hospitals to meet people affected by the events.

“I am concerned about the human rights situation in Armenia and the consequences of the declaration of the state of emergency,” said Mr Hammarberg. “It is urgent to restore a situation where the activities of the media, political parties and non-governmental organisations are not hindered.”

*source: Council of Europe; [emphasis mine]