Helsinki Citizens Assembly in Armenia’s Vanadzor city condemns Armenian policemen actions.

Armenian Helsinki Citizens Assembly (HCA) Vanadzor office made a statement, claiming that Armenian law enforcement agents continue to make pressures and threaten the citizens.

“HCA has regularly received complaints from citizens on being subjected to violence and inhuman treatment at police departments.

In particular, the organization sent a report to the Armenian Special Investigation Service regarding detaining illegally, keeping for 14 hours in prison and applying violence against a person on Oct 10, 2011.

The report was left unanswered, as the fact of applying violence was not approved and people pointed in the statement have no complaints.

On Thursday, however, head of the organization was called to police for explanations. The investigator’s questions were linked to the citizen who was subjected to violence at the department and his mother as if being threatened by the head of the organization.

Thus, we find that law enforcement agents in Armenia do not fulfill their obligations under UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Moreover they try to force the citizens, subjected to violence, keep silence threatening to instigate criminal case otherwise. 

Hence, we condemn actions of the law enforcement agents. And declare that any pressure, threatening or their attempts are doomed to failure.

We will be decisive and persistent to reveal all the cases of human rights violations,” the statement reads.