Confrontation in Armenia show need for police reform

The legislation fails to differentiate when the use of force by the police is justified, and when it is disproportionate, human rights defenders have noted in their comments on the dispersal of the action against the construction of a high-rise building. According to their version, the Armenian police needs reforms, as in modern realities it is "a club in authorities' hands."

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 20, a scuffle occurred in Yerevan between opponents of the construction of a multi-storey building and policemen. At least four people were detained; one of the policemen hit a teenager.

According to the law, a policeman has the right to use force in case of physical resistance, but there was no such at the action against construction of a high-rise building, Daniel Ionesyan, the coordinator of the NGO "Union of Informed Citizens", has stated According to his story, policemen are extremely rarely punished for exceeding their powers.

The police work in Armenia fails to meet modern human rights standards, otherwise there would be no need for police reform, Mr Ionesyan has added. In his opinion, the system needs radical transformations.

Nina Karapetyants, the head of the Helsinki Association of Armenia, has also indicated that the law allows policemen to use force, but it should be proportionate. Policemen's brutality is common in dictatorial and authoritarian countries, she has added.

The police are using violence against protesters quite often; and very often there is no need to do so, Artak Kirakosyan, the head of the Civil Society Institute, has emphasized.