27 March, 2008
For Immediate Release
Democratic reforms in Armenia resulted in constituting state terror.
In the wake of the lifting of state of emergency the Armenian authorities unleashed a new wave of violence and intimidations. Having adopted Soviet KGB methods, the Armenian police and National Security Service subject unprotected people to organized repressions.
Without any grounding or explanation, citizens are detained in broad daylight and forcibly taken to police stations, thus any occasional person walking by may fall a victim to such violence. Only in the police station is their identity revealed, their participation in March 1 rally attempted to be clarified, they are subjected to psychological pressure and intimidation.
The scale of such violence increases day by day. The Armenian authorities arbitrarily violate constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms of the people.
We urge to immediately cease terror against the people of Armenia
1. "Youth for Democracy" NGO
2. Transparency International Anti-corruption Center NGO
3. "Asparez" Journalists' Club
4. "Krtutyan Asparez" NGO
5. Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Armenian Committee NGO
6. Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office
7. "Huys" NGO
8. "We Plus" NGO
9. "Victims of State Needs" NGO
10. Sksela Youth Movement
Showing posts with label national security service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label national security service. Show all posts
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Friday, 14 March 2008
What was the purpose of president Kocharyan amendments, if media blackout is still on - newspapers not published, websites blocked?
Main independent and pro-opposition newspapers were not able to publish today due to continuing media censorship in Armenia. And this is despite president Kocharyan’s decree on partially lifting media restrictions under the ‘state of emergency’.
Particularly, Aravot daily was not allowed to publish as representatives from the National Security Service - who are apparently permanent residents in the publishing house - put ban on the newspaper. Aravot editor Abrahamyan says Radio Liberty that his paper prepared balanced edition presenting views of both authorities and opposition. However, it was the article on Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s press conference which proved ‘decisive’ for state censors. They consider it containing “obviously false” information. For similar ‘justifications’, opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily was banned too. So essentially, only pro-government newspapers continue working in Armenia. Most blocked Internet sites remain as such.
Editors question the real purpose of Kocharyan’s decree on easing media restrictions. They believe that this step was made by authorities to provide a cover for continuing media blackout in Armenia by creating headlines on lifting it, but essentially keeping everything as it was. This way they will try to ease pressure from international community to lift media ban, and state of emergency rules, altogether.
But the reality is depressing, indeed. Here is what ArmeniaNow.com had to say to its readers:
“Dear Readers,
ArmeniaNow regrets that the latest changes in Yerevan’s State of Emergency still leave wide control and leeway for media censorship which has already been exercised in state restrictions of newspapers on the first day of the revised provisions. Rather than subject our future to vague interpretations of what is considered “situation-destabilizing information”, we will remain under media blackout till such time as the State of Emergency has been suspended.
Thank you for your patience.”
Particularly, Aravot daily was not allowed to publish as representatives from the National Security Service - who are apparently permanent residents in the publishing house - put ban on the newspaper. Aravot editor Abrahamyan says Radio Liberty that his paper prepared balanced edition presenting views of both authorities and opposition. However, it was the article on Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s press conference which proved ‘decisive’ for state censors. They consider it containing “obviously false” information. For similar ‘justifications’, opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily was banned too. So essentially, only pro-government newspapers continue working in Armenia. Most blocked Internet sites remain as such.
Editors question the real purpose of Kocharyan’s decree on easing media restrictions. They believe that this step was made by authorities to provide a cover for continuing media blackout in Armenia by creating headlines on lifting it, but essentially keeping everything as it was. This way they will try to ease pressure from international community to lift media ban, and state of emergency rules, altogether.
But the reality is depressing, indeed. Here is what ArmeniaNow.com had to say to its readers:
“Dear Readers,
ArmeniaNow regrets that the latest changes in Yerevan’s State of Emergency still leave wide control and leeway for media censorship which has already been exercised in state restrictions of newspapers on the first day of the revised provisions. Rather than subject our future to vague interpretations of what is considered “situation-destabilizing information”, we will remain under media blackout till such time as the State of Emergency has been suspended.
Thank you for your patience.”
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Armenia’s second largest city - Gyumri, faces media blackout too, just like the rest of the country
Since 2 March 2008 Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri is in information blockade too. The only independent local Gala TV station is not issuing news programmes.
According to Gala TV, they had a visit from representatives of the National Security Service who warned them that they could broadcast official information only. Therefore, Gala TV decided to boycott news and will not broadcast news programmes until the state of emergency is lifted.
It must be noted that the ‘state of emergency’ with imposed media blackout formally applies to capital Yerevan only. However, there is no rule of law in Armenia now, as Gala TV journalists said, and they do not want to give additional grounds to close down the only independent TV station in the region which is already facing numerous ‘technical’ challenges from authorities.
*based on Radio Liberty broadcast
According to Gala TV, they had a visit from representatives of the National Security Service who warned them that they could broadcast official information only. Therefore, Gala TV decided to boycott news and will not broadcast news programmes until the state of emergency is lifted.
It must be noted that the ‘state of emergency’ with imposed media blackout formally applies to capital Yerevan only. However, there is no rule of law in Armenia now, as Gala TV journalists said, and they do not want to give additional grounds to close down the only independent TV station in the region which is already facing numerous ‘technical’ challenges from authorities.
*based on Radio Liberty broadcast
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Officers of the National Security Service of Armenia resign in support of Ter-Petrosyan
Since last week I keep hearing rumours from here and there about growing support within government and civil servants towards former president and presidential hopeful Levon Ter-Petrosyan. However, except few examples from governing Republican party, there was no other evidence, just rumours.
Today during his campaign rally in southeastern Armenia Ter-Petrosyan claimed that “there is growing support from government and law-enforcement bodies”, “state bodies with us”, “at least 90 percent of the staffs of security bodies, ministries are with the people”, and “more than 50 employees of the National Security Service (NSS) have refused to “work against their own people” in next week’s election and resigned from the former KGB in recent days.”
My first reaction was that well, ok, there may be some support, but it’s probably more of a propaganda trick aimed at providing reassurances to electorate and stirring further divisions and tensions within government which seems to increasingly lose ground.
However, I got confirmations via friend that at least several officers of the National Security Service of Armenia, whom he knows and spoke with today, have resigned, and they confirmed the growing trend. Also, one pro-government source accepted today that the situation is indeed very serious for prime minister Serj Sargsyan and no one in government camp expected the level of support Levon would gain.
Today during his campaign rally in southeastern Armenia Ter-Petrosyan claimed that “there is growing support from government and law-enforcement bodies”, “state bodies with us”, “at least 90 percent of the staffs of security bodies, ministries are with the people”, and “more than 50 employees of the National Security Service (NSS) have refused to “work against their own people” in next week’s election and resigned from the former KGB in recent days.”
My first reaction was that well, ok, there may be some support, but it’s probably more of a propaganda trick aimed at providing reassurances to electorate and stirring further divisions and tensions within government which seems to increasingly lose ground.
However, I got confirmations via friend that at least several officers of the National Security Service of Armenia, whom he knows and spoke with today, have resigned, and they confirmed the growing trend. Also, one pro-government source accepted today that the situation is indeed very serious for prime minister Serj Sargsyan and no one in government camp expected the level of support Levon would gain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
