EcoLur
The criminal case initiated by RA Police against Mariam Sukhudyan, the activist of green youth movement, provoked public outrage.
Let’s remind that Mariam Sukhudyan is charged with false crime reporting in accordance with Clause 3, Part 2, Article 333 of the Criminal Code of RA.
Different NGOs, trade unions, separate groups of people, united with wish to protect their rights to express public viewpoint on behalf of Mariam Sukhudyan, appealed to punish the true culprits and drop the charges filed to Mariam.
The movement in support of the public activist increases, especially after the official respond of the law enforcement bodies who publicly charged Mariam Sukhudyan still during the preliminary investigation. Below are given the statements made by different organizations spoken against legal lawlessness.
WE REQUIRE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CRIMINAL CASE INITIATED IN REGARD TO MARIAM SUKHUDYAN
A group of art historians sent a letter to RA President, RA Prime Minister, the UN Human Rights Defender, representatives of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
The letter particularly says:
We, a group of art historians, express our deep concerns with the lawlessness reigning in our country where criminal cases are initiated in regard to innocent people. The next victim is Mariam Sukhudyan, the activist of green movement S.O.S Teghout. We consider the charges filed to her groundless.
Nanor Petrosyan
Hasmik Simonyan
Anahit Hayrapetyan
Gagik Ghazare
Vahram Akimyan
Lusine Mirzoyan
Tigran Khachatryan
Marianna Vardanyan
Miqayel Mkrtchyan
STATEMENT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS OF ARMENIA
The authorities of Armenia relying on law enforcement bodies and judicial system freely carry out any order and continue the policy of intimidation and violence towards the disagreeable citizens.
Arrests, beatings and judicial punishment of journalists and human rights defenders, disgraceful trials related to the events of March 1, 2008 over oppositional leaders of Armenia, arrests and beatings of youth movement members struggling for their rights are sanctioned by provost regime of Armenia.
The commencement of a criminal case instituted against Mariam Sukhudyan, one of the leaders of ecological movement is another vivid manifestation of policy of impatience towards the dissidence.
We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations of Armenia which are members of South Caucasian Network of Human Rights Defenders
- demand the competent bodies to stop the criminal case instituted against Mariam Sukhudyan,
- demand the competent bodies to punish the ones who instituted the criminal case
- address the international organizations with a request to support our demands and exert pressure on the authorities of Armenia.
Helsinki Association
Socioscop
Helsinki Citizen Assembly
Journalist Club “Asparez”
Women Resource Center
Vernatun- Wives of Political Prisoners
PINK Armenia
Democracy Today
Helsinki Citizen Assembly of Vanadzor
STATEMENT
We, the undersigned NGOs of the Republic of Armenia,
condemn
the arbitrary prosecution of young environmentalist Mariam Surkhudyan,
assess
that the campaign unleashed against Ms. Surkhadyan is but one of many recent attempts to silence active citizens through criminal accusations which also include the arrest of an observer who protested against rigged elections, accusations against the youths who advertised the rally, charges against attorneys who dared to protect political dissidents and the arbitrary prosecution of opposition journalists
we are convinced
that bringing false criminal accusations against individuals who raise alarm about crimes they witness, who are ready to protect their own and others’ political and civil rights, is typical only of dictatorships, not democracies. The policy pursued by the Armenian authorities promotes not the formation of conscious and honorable citizens but rather molds citizens into faceless creatures forced to think like slaves.
we demand
• the immediate termination of the prosecution of Mariam Surkhudyan
• a fair and impartial trial which calls to account the real criminals
• an end to repression against activists in our country.
Signatories,
“Armenian Volunteer Union” Movement
“Ecodar” environmental NGO
“Foundation against Violation of Law” NGO
“Helsinki Committee of Armenia” NGO
“Huys” NGO
“Institute for Democracy and Human Rights” NGO
“Journalists for Human Rights” NGO
“Lawyers for Human Rights” NGO
“Mijnaberd” Cultural Public Organization
“National Citizens’ Initiative” NGO
“Rights and Freedom Center” NGO
“Transparency International anti-corruption Center” NGO
“Victims of State Needs” NGO
“World Independent Youth Union” Organization
“Zartonk-89” NGO
Helsinki Citizens Assembly Armenian Committee
Youth for Democracy
September 01, 2009