Armenia is experiencing a serious regression in democracy and freedom of speech, which undermines the foundations of the state and democracy.
Modern.az reports that Seyran Ohanyan, head of the “Hayastan” parliamentary faction, stated this during parliamentary hearings held with the participation of politicians and experts.
The faction has initiated discussions on amending the draft parliamentary statement regarding "the existence of political prisoners in Armenia and the restoration of their violated rights."
Ohanyan spoke about total pressure and fabricated criminal cases against government opponents, and the persecution of undesirable media outlets. The Member of Parliament called on participants to give a clear political assessment of the situation in the country and emphasized that these messages would be conveyed to the international community.
Faction representative Elinar Vardanyan, in turn, stated that more than 60 people in Armenia have faced politically motivated criminal prosecution, with approximately 40 of them being arrested. She stated that the authorities are creating an atmosphere of fear to perpetuate their power.
According to the opposition MP, there are no mechanisms in the country to protect human rights, and laws declaring civil and political rights are purely declarative in nature.
In the parliamentary session hall where today's hearings were held, photographs of arrested archbishops, businessman Samvel Karapetyan, and other opposition figures in pre-trial detention were pinned to the seats of government members.
