Armenia faces a continued rise in authoritarian governance -  opposition MP

ArmInfo.The member of the RA NA delegation to OSCE PA, the deputy of the Armenia Faction Lilit  Galstyan gave a speech during the Session going on in Bucharest.

"Dear colleagues,

Armenia faces a continued rise in authoritarian governance as a  result of the constant security challenges as well as a growing level  of internal dissent.

A number of international human rights organizations have reported a  decline in democracy in Armenia due to the consolidation of power by  the government through torture and unlawful police violence, illegal  criminal prosecutions and the dismissal of parliamentary and  community opposition heads.

The persecution of opposition politicians through fabricated cases  andthe implementation of political repression have become common  practice. Hundreds of people are illegally imprisoned for their  opposition activities, many of whom could be considered political  prisoners according to internationally adopted criteria.

Key institutions of the democratic state are repeatedly ignored by  the government.Hate speech and outright enmity are used to silence  those who dare to oppose the regime.

Concerns regarding the independence of the judicial system have been  reported by the European Association of Judges.

Despite dozens of reports, not a single police officer has been  prosecuted. We even evidenced an incident involving an opposition MP,  who was brutally beaten by dozens of police officers in front of his  party headquarters.

During a large-scale rally the police used indiscriminate force and  special means towards peaceful demonstrators, I repeat: TOWARDS  PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS, which resulted in hundreds of injuries and  dozens of demonstrators, including 10 journalists were hospitalized  with shrapnel wounds, some with life changing consequences.

The actions of the Armenian police encouraged by the head of the  government demonstrate blatant disregard for human rights and  international standards threatening the democratic path of our  nation.

Based on the above, I call on my colleagues to condemn the continuing  decline in democracy and stand in solidarity with the citizens of  Armenia in their commitment to a legal state.

In conclusion, I would like to urge the rapporteur on human rights to  follow the situation closely on the ground and provide a report on  the situation," the deputy said.