The Statement of Seven NGOs

On May 10, 2010, the EU General Affairs Council approved the negotiating directives for the future Association Agreements between the EU and Armenia. It is stated that deepening of the relationship between the EU and the countries of the South Caucasus are to progress on the basis of shared values and principles, including democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

We acknowledge the policy of European integration as the most advantageous for Armenia’s prospects to become a truly democratic and prosperous country and for its people to live in an open and just society. For this we welcome this development as the Association Agreement can provide an expedient route for comprehensive integration.

However, we believe that the radical improvement of the current state of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, good governance and justice in Armenia as a condition for deepening of the relationship that is based on values and principles. For the relations to strengthen and lead eventually to value-based integration, urgent and concrete steps should be taken as preconditions and guarantees of sufficient level of honoring the values themselves. We also urge that the concrete benchmarks be set and made public for the progress to be measured against.

For us the Armenian civil society working in diverse areas of democratic institution strengthening, rule of law, human rights and good governance, who have closely observed and studied current trends and mounting problems, the immediate and priority actions that the government should undertake to be able to engage in a meaningful and advantageous integration process benefiting Armenia’s economy, democracy and social makeup are the following:

Restore justice and the right to fair trial by conducting effective and full investigation of March 1 killings and releasing political prisoners.

Tackle the oligarchic structure and merge of politics and economy by constituting minimal necessary mechanisms for a competitive economy. Put in place functioning mechanisms for fighting the conflict of interests at all levels of government, most urgently at the higher echelons of governance.

Carry out immediate measures to lift control of broadcast media. Ensure diversity in the media market through ensuring transparency of tenders on licensing of broadcasting. Improve broadcast legislation to ensure independence of regulatory bodies. Involve the media community and civil society in the process of legislation reform and policy development reflecting the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting

Ensure true independence of judiciary by making changes in the appointment and management of judges, increase transparency and impartiality of judicial processes and keep the judges accountable for unlawful and unethical behavior.

Put an end to the atmosphere of impunity for police brutality and torture in police custody investigating and prosecuting police brutality and opening the police detention to public monitoring.

Ensure a competitive political process prior to parliamentary elections in 2012 by curbing abuse of administrative, media and human resources. Exclude intimidation and other violations during the election campaign, voting and counting.

Armenian Helsinki Committee

“Asparez” Journalists’ Club

Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression

Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor office

Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation - Armenia

Transparency International Anti-corruption Center

Yerevan Press Club