25 February 2009, 22:00
Human Rights Watch states excessive use of force by police at dispersal of rally in Armenia
The international Human Rights Watch called the authorities of Armenia, in the HRW report, published on February 25 and covering the elections and post-electoral processes in Armenia in 2008, to make the police responsible for disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrators on March 1, 2008, when at least 10 persons perished in clashes with policemen.
"The events a year ago in Yerevan need thorough study, but one thing is clear - the authorities used disproportionate force against the protesters," George Gogia, the author of the report, has emphasizes.
The document contains 64 pages and is based on studies conducted in 2008-2009, in particular, 80 interviews.
The Human Rights Watch notes poor treatment of the arrested persons and application of violence against them within.
"As a result, at least 10 persons perished: eight civilians and two militaries, many people were wounded. After investigations and trials, often accompanied by violations of the law and political context, only oppositionists were convicted and brought to responsibility, but no policeman was ever punished for application of disproportionate force," runs the report.
According to researches of human rights activists from the Human Rights Watch, the police had applied disproportionate force not only in the evening, but also in the morning on March 1 in the Freedom Square, when people were searched for the presence of weapons.
"Without any warning, in the morning on March 1, policemen attacked the participants of the protest action in the Freedom Square, having used rubber truncheons, metal rods and electric shockers," the document further states.
In conclusion, the authors of the report specify the ways out of the situation. The Human Rights Watch demands from the State Office of Public Prosecutor to strain their efforts towards independent and fair investigation of the events on March 1 and checking the extent in which law enforcers had acted within the bounds of Armenian and international laws.
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan Source: CK correspondent
