We Are All on the Same Side: Police Serve and Protect the Law and the People

A number of users, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders have voiced their opinions and evaluations regarding the actions of police forces on Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan on August 19.

The Armenian Police provided clarifications stating that on August 19, 2019, citizens of the Republic of Armenia were holding a peaceful gathering to express their support for the residents of Jermuk and surrounding communities who were protesting against the exploitation of the Amulsar mine. These residents were meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia at 26 Baghramyan Street.

Yes, the gathering was peaceful, and the police, while performing their duties, were maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of the participants. However, the citizens later blocked Baghramyan Avenue. The police announced several times that their actions were unlawful and allowed sufficient time for them to clear the street. However, they refused to comply with the police's lawful demands, necessitating police intervention.

The citizens blocking the street were removed multiple times from the avenue, yet they returned and blocked the road again. Therefore, force was used, not violently, but in a proportional manner to clear the street.

It is important to note that police officers, in carrying out their duties, are authorized by law to use proportional physical force when necessary. Traffic was disrupted, and the rights of other citizens were violated, making intervention necessary.

We assure you that after every such event, each police action is thoroughly examined at the direction of the police chief, conclusions are drawn, and if necessary, a service investigation is initiated. This will also be the case this time.

Yes, the police used proportional physical force, and a review of the videos circulating online does not show any violations of proportionality. Furthermore, if one of the activists happened to be injured, we ask you not to seek intent or malice. Every injury to a person is regrettable, including for the police.

Regarding the citizen who was taken to the “St. Grigor Lusavorich” medical center, we reiterate that it was the police who called for an ambulance when he reported feeling unwell at the police station. The diagnosis was a neurotic reaction and heart rhythm disturbance, which in no way could be a result of disproportionate force.

Incidentally, by visiting his Facebook page, one can see how he resisted the police and did not comply with their lawful requests.

The police serve and protect the law and the people, the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, and are committed to ensuring that their employees act strictly within the framework of the law in all circumstances.

However, it is not only the police who have duties. Besides their rights, participants of the gathering and activists also have responsibilities – we all do. Therefore, we call on everyone to remain within the law and the boundaries of legality, to unconditionally comply with the lawful demands of the police, and to refrain from provocative actions.

We feel it necessary to remind that police officers, besides their duties, also have rights. We are convinced that the time has come for the supremacy of the law, where everyone is equal before the law.

Thus, blockades of roads, disobedience to lawful police orders, and labeling police with improper tags are no longer current issues. Those issuing statements know well the legal and official channels for resolving every issue. We urge you to choose that path when necessary.

We would like to add that the police will continue to operate strictly within the bounds of legality in the future, requiring citizens to do the same, remaining open to discuss every issue and find the best solutions, demanding the same from civil society organizations, and continuing to reform, develop, and cleanse itself with the support of the entire public.

After all, we all have one goal: the supremacy of the law. We are all on the same side.

Photo credit: Ani Hakobyan's Facebook page