Artur Sakunts. Thomas Hammarberg does not Intervene but Supports the Army

During his visit to Armenia, Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed his concern regarding the violations of human rights in the army.

“1in.am” questioned human rights activist Artur Sakunts, head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor, if voicing about the concerns regarding the state of Armenian Army to the European institutions is related to our internal problems and or impact on the security.

“Thomas Hammarberg, referring to the violations of human rights in the Army, does not intervene with the internal affairs of the Army in regard to what actions Armenian Armed Forces initiate, what ammunition they use before the war or what laws they ratify. He does not deal with the management of the Army and nor is in charge of commanding troops. The concerns of Thomas Hammarberg and the European Institutions are only displayed via documenting human rights violations. And it does not matter if human rights are violated at penitentiaries, Police departments, homes for the elderly or in the Army. Violations, tortures and Inhuman or Degrading Treatments basically occur in the Army, penitentiaries and Police departments”, noted Artur Sakunts.

He draws the attention on the fact that Thomas Hammarberg has spoken about civic control and has referred to the necessity of holding fair trials. “I think Hammarberg’s remarks are more directed at support rather than inverting”,- mentioned our interlocutor.

Source: www.1in.am