Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg is concerned over civilian deaths during the post-election clashes in Yerevan on March 1, 2008.
"The failure to disclose the murders of March 1, 2008 is equal to impunity," Mr. Thomas Hammarberg said in Yerevan on January 21.
The CoE Commissioner is also concerned over the condition of citizens sent to prison after the tragic clashes. He has already talked to the Armenian authorities and called for their release.
Thomas Hammarberg also expressed concern over the situation of Armenian media, specifically over the fate of A1+ and Gala TV companies, which were denied broadcast licenses in a competitive tender in December 2010.
Mr. Hammarberg said that in his upcoming report he would speak, among other issues, about the TV companies and the lack of plurality in Armenian media.
Regarding the incidents and killings in the Armenian army, the CoE official said he had met with the relevant bodies and hoped they would take measures to exclude their repetition in the future.
Asked whether the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe might apply sanctions against Armenia, Mr. Hammarberg said, "My concerns will find an adequate response, yet it does not necessarily mean that the structure will impose sanctions against the country."
He hailed the authorities' decision to amnesty some oppositionists who were sent to prison after the March 1 events, saying it would prevent repetition of the tragedy.
Speaking about jailed oppositionist Sasun Mikaelyan, the CoE official confirmed that Mikaelyan had serious health problems and wished him an immediate release.
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Source: The Armenian News by A1+
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