The Office of the Human Rights Defender to Operate in Emergency Mode on May 9

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia will operate in emergency mode on May 9. This was announced by the press service of the Human Rights Defender.

It is noted that the emergency mode is related to the gatherings taking place in the republic.

"All events in Armenia should unfold exclusively through democratic means, in conditions of unconditional respect for human rights and solidarity, based on the values of democracy and the requirements of the rule of law," says Anahit Manasyan, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes that ensuring the safety of participants in peaceful gatherings is a state obligation. At the same time, it is crucial for both organizers and participants of the gathering to ensure a peaceful course of the event, exercise restraint, and adhere to the requirements established by legislation. This includes, among other things, refraining from violence, calls for violence, and manifestations of hate speech during the gathering.

In this context, the Defender particularly stresses that it is unacceptable under any circumstances for police officers to use disproportionate force. The use of force can only occur in the presence of grounds defined by law, while maintaining standards related to proportionality.

The Human Rights Defender reminds that the hotlines 116 and (096) 116100 will be operational.

It is worth noting that the commissions on border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on April 19 to start the delimitation from the Tavush region.