EU Delegation Concerned over Recent Cases of Violence

Traian Hristea, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia

The European Union Delegation in Armenia issued a statement following a spate of violent attacks on civic activists and politicians. The full text of their statement below:

“The EU Delegation expresses its concern at recent incidents in Yerevan involving attacks on civic activists and opposition politicians. The EU Delegation welcomes the statement by the Ombudsman and his call for an effective and impartial investigation. The EU Delegation calls upon the Armenian authorities to take prompt and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.

“The EU Delegation reiterates its concern at the absence of results regarding the investigations into similar incidents of 2013. The perception of ineffective law enforcement is raising concerns among Armenian civil society, Human Rights Defenders and international observers and risks nurturing a sense of impunity in Armenia.

“The EU Delegation recalls that respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms remain essential elements in the European Union’s bilateral agenda with Armenia, as agreed in the joint statement made at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius last November.”

Background

On December 8, two war veterans Razmik Petrosyan and Manvel Yeghiazaryan were attacked and beaten.

On December 10, masked men beat up Suren Sargsyan, a member of the War Veteran’s Coalition. Sargsyan was taken to hospital with head injuries.

On December 11, Aram Manukyan, the secretary of the opposition Armenian National Congress was attacked. The following day, another ANC member Ashot Piliposyan from the city of Hrazdan was also attacked and beaten. A suspect in the Manukyan attack, Arshak Zvazyan was arrested and taken into custody on December 14 and released on bail on December 15.

On December 16, Armenia’s National Assembly issued an official statement condemning the attacks against opposition politicians and civic activists following a special parliamentary session to discuss the rising violence.