Instead of punishing, state holds trainings with its policemen
Once every five years Armenia and other member states of the UNO present their report on the reforms implemented in the human rights’ sphere to the UNO. During today’s discussion on that topic representative of Open Society Institute Davit Amiryan said that Armenian had already presented two reports: the first in 2010 and the second in January, 2015. He also noted that the non-governmental organizations of those countries can present their own reports. Davit Amiryan also noted that at the meeting in Geneva, where the countries present their reports, recommendations are made by various countries. “This year Armenia has got 189 recommendations, 10 of which weren’t accepted categorically, as they had been made by Azerbaijan. In general, Armenia has accepted 155 recommendations, which must be implemented in the upcoming five years,” he said. Davit Amiryan added that often the countries refrain from making drastic recommendations. They are made nearly in this way- ensure, for example, right to freedom of speech of journalists and civic activists, right to free referendums and assemblies, freedom of speech on the internet and outside it, but sometimes there are more concrete recommendations.” “For example, still five years ago Armenia was instructed to draft a law against discrimination and family abuse. In connection with this Armenia replied that it was holding discussions on including such provisions in its laws, which will exclude it. But until today there has been no result. There has been no result also in connection with freedom of speech of journalists and freedom of assembly.” Davit Amiryan says that the civic society will see a result, when, for example, the policemen, who used violence after June 23 events, will be punished. “But the state says- we will hold trainings with the policemen so that such cases aren’t repeated.” Yet the UNO doesn’t have punitive mechanisms against the states, which assumed commitments and didn’t implement them.
