On 23 September, on the instructions of the Human Rights Defender, the Rapid Response Teams went to the police stations within the framework of the cases of detaining people who are carrying out protest actions in different parts of the city of Yerevan. The HRD office reported.

It is noted that private conversations were held with the persons deprived of their freedom, the grounds for arresting them, and the state of ensuring their rights in the Police Departments were studied.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes that the use of force by police officers should be in accordance with the law, in cases and proportionally. The Defender also calls on the participants of the meeting to show restraint and observe the requirements provided for by the legislation. The peaceful nature of the gathering must be guaranteed.

“It is also important that in this situation, public and political figures, mass media not only exclude any speech promoting hatred, violence or intolerance, but oppose such speeches.

Public solidarity can be ensured only through a tolerant, sensitive attitude towards others and respectful dialogue. The Competent State Bodies and officials, as well as other public and political figures and mass media should contribute to such an environment.

We inform that the HRD staff is working in an emergency mode, monitoring and studies are being carried out in the staff.

The telephone numbers of the Defender’s hotline are 116 and (096) 116100,” the message states.