Alexander Arzumanyan: It is a shame to have a political prisoner in the 21st century (video)
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs today held parliamentary hearings on implementation of Resolution 1900 (The definition of political prisoner) by Armenia. In his speech, Alexander Arzumanyan, a member of the NA Standing Committee, stressed that as a political prisoner he is well aware of the problem. “It is surprising that the Prosecutor's Office not only ignores the complaints submitted by the Committee but also avoids speaking about the problems that exist in the country. Ninety-five percent of warrants have been issued by the Prosecutor's Office which keeps denying the existence of political prisoners in the country,” he said. Speaking about the belief that there are more political prisoners in Azerbaijan than in Armenia, Mr Arzumanyan said there is a big difference between the two countries in question. “It is a shame to have a political prisoner in the 21st century. We do have political prisoners in Armenia.” At the same time he noted that at this point Armenia has 15 political prisoners instead of the former 150: the number was reduced in the result of fulfilling PACE commitments. But as long as there is at least one political prisoner, we can have progress,” he stressed. While the Committee was hearing the issue of political prisoners, a group of citizens including relatives of jaile Shant Harutyunyan, Volodya Avetisyan and Hayk Kureghyan, as well as representatives of human rights organizations were holding a protest outside the National Assembly demanding to recognize these people as political prisoners and release them at once.
