Armenian Police hails ombudsman’s collaboration proposal.

In response to Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan’s request to revise the Freedom of Assemblies Law, the Armenian Police has reiterated its commitment to ensure the protection of citizens’ interests at public gatherings.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police hailed the Ombudsman’s move, promising to follow united standards to guarantee a better protection.

“The Armenian Police has several times proposed collaboration with competent bodies to ensure the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms; hence it highly praises the ombudsman’s willingness to find joint effective solutions,” reads the statement.

To note, Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan has asked the chief of police to elaborate specific criteria to ensure a better implementation of the Freedom of Assemblies law.

In a letter to Vladimir Gasparyan, the ombudsman expressed concerns over the enforcement of several provisions of the law.

“The problems encountered at the Mashtots Park protest, as well as the complaints of Artavazd Vardanyan (who has declared a hunger-strike outside the Central Election Commission), demonstrate that the rights and duties of police officers and organizers of rallies need a further clarification,” reads the letter.

Andreasyan has asked the chief of police to consider all disputable issues, and elaborate and publish clear-cut criteria to avoid undesired incidents and violations of human rights at public meetings.