The law enforcement system might “get out of control”.

On August 25, 2011 during our interview with Artur Sakunts, Head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – Vanadzor,he reflected on the statement of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Tortures, in which it is mentioned that the attitude towards the imprisoned by  policemen remains a serious problem in Armenia. 

Sakunts also mentioned that the assessment from the Council could have been more severe.

“Unfortunately, the RA authorities have not taken any crucial or tangible steps towards making a proper investigation on the existing facts”, mentioned Artur Sakunts. To our question “on whether the RA wants to take any steps or just cannot?”, Artur Sakunts responded that they do not wish to as they do not have political will. “I’d also like to mention that on the basis of criminal politics, violation is one of the main tools that is exercised towards citizens. I will mention some facts: first, violations are unrestricted towards citizens in police departments in order to gain evidence from them and no criminal charges are brought regarding those cases. Moreover, it takes a long time for judicial courts to make decisions of declining those criminal cases.

That is to say, the problem refers not only to the law enforcement bodies, but also judicial practices.  In the armed forces, cases on violations or ill-treatment are not properly studied. In penitentiary facilities 35 death cases were registered last year, the number of which, compared with 2009, has increased. I am not even mntioning inhuman conditions, food quality, etc., for instance, issues related to release on parole. No criminal cases are being studied regarding death cases in psychiatric hospitals”, stated Artur Sakunts.

To the question, “what can be the consequence of all this?”  To this, Mr. Sakunts gave an example of the latest cases of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) activists and said: “The situation will get worse, which means that this will be a country that neither is able nor wants to implement all the obligations that it has towards its citizens.  Secondly, I think that the authority system uses the police as a tool for violations towards citizens and for political purposes. If this continues, those situations will always have victims.

They pretend as if they want to make reforms by reprimands through criminal cases, however,  in reality they will not have opportunities to do so and some day it is likely  that the law enforcement system loses “control” by that very political authority,  as they will feel they are being sacrificed”,  added Artur Sakunts.

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