Day: June 15, 2024

The Armenian Bar Association expresses profound concern regarding reports of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials against protesters in Armenia on June 12, 2024. Protesters in Yerevan attempting to block entry to the Parliament faced fire from officers with stun grenades, and violent clashes erupted, resulting in 101 injured protesters and 17 injured police officers, as well as 98 detentions. At least 10 journalists reporting on the protests were among those injured, and police also forcibly ejected a number of journalists attempting to report on events from inside the parliament’s press galley.

The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Armenian Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Armenia is a party, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. These rights are essential for the functioning of civil society, allowing citizens to express their views, grievances and aspirations freely and without fear of retribution. International law requires governments to respect and protect the right to peaceful protest. Law enforcement officials should avoid the use of force against protesters; where this is not possible, force should only be used when it is absolutely necessary and proportionate to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective, and to the minimum extent necessary.

The resort by police officers to the deployment of stun grenades against protesters appears to constitute an excessive use of force and a violation of these fundamental rights. Such actions not only endanger the physical well-being of the demonstrators but also undermine the rule of law and the democratic principles that our society upholds.

We call upon the Armenian government and law enforcement agencies to:

1. Ensure accountability: Conduct a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into each credible allegation involving the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters. Those found responsible for any misuse of force should be held accountable, and appropriate measures should be taken to prevent recurrence.
2. Protect the right to peaceful assembly: Reaffirm and respect the constitutional right of citizens to peacefully assemble and express their views. Law enforcement should facilitate peaceful protests and ensure the safety and security of all participants.

The Armenian Bar Association stands in solidarity with citizens peacefully exercising their democratic rights and calls on all stakeholders to refrain from violence and uphold the principles of justice, human rights and the rule of law. We remain committed to monitoring the situation closely.

In these challenging times, we must collectively strive to uphold the values of democracy and human dignity, ensuring that Armenia remains a country where the rights of all individuals are respected and protected.

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The Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group affiliated to the Islamic State group, are alleged to have killed more than 40 people in an attack on Mayikengo village this week and more than 80 in attacks on other villages in the eastern province the previous week. 

The insecurity has fueled public frustration, leading to the killing of two soldiers and their driver in Lubero territory by a crowd who torched their vehicle overnight on Friday, local official Julio Mabanga told Reuters. 

On Saturday, further clashes in the area between security forces and local residents led to the deaths of another three people: a civilian, a soldier, and an agent of the ANR national intelligence service, Mabanga said. 

A similar protest broke out in the city of Butembo on Saturday, with hundreds of youths taking to the streets, wielding sticks, chanting and singing songs to denounce the widespread insecurity, according to a Reuters reporter. 

“I’m here at this roundabout, barricading the road. We sympathize with our killed compatriots,” said Daniel Sivanzire Paluku, one of the protesters, who said they needed to block the roads to monitor who was coming and going. 

Butembo Mayor Mowa Baeki Telly confirmed one civilian was killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in the city.  

The ADF originates in neighboring Uganda but is now based in mineral-rich eastern Congo. It has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and mounts frequent attacks, further destabilizing a region where many militant groups compete for influence and resources. 

It has not been possible to reach the ADF for comment on the attacks. 

The U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group, which follows militant websites, said on Friday the Islamic State had published communiques from its so-called Central Africa Province division claiming responsibility for the killing of 51 people in attacks in North Kivu this week. It has also claimed to have beheaded more than 60 people in a single attack in the province on June 7.