ELDR Resolution Proposes EU Visa Bans for Certain Armenia Officials

On May 20, the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Council, convening in Dresden, Germany, adopted a resolution which refers to developments in Armenia’s domestic politics, the elimination of the consequences of Mar. 1, 2008, and possible means of punishment. The resolution was presented by the Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh). This news was conveyed by HHSh party leader Aram Manukyan at a press conference in Yerevan today.

The resolution includes the following points:

• “Reaffirming ELDR Congress resolution on political prisoners in Armenia in its entirety;
• Underlining the impact of the ELDR resolution on releasing 8 political prisoners;
• Stressing the continuous custody of 6 remaining political prisoners;
• Acknowledging the aspiration of Armenian people to live in a society based on European values;
• Demands the Armenian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners;
• Calls upon ALDE to raise the prospects for EU visa-bans for Armenian officials involved in politically-motivated abuse of the justice system;
• Calls on ALDE to insist this issue be treated as priority in EU-Armenia dialogue;
• Calls on ELDR member parties to raise this issue as a priority in the framework of parliamentary cooperation of their national parliaments with the Parliament of Armenia;
• Asks ELDR secretariat to report back on this issue on the next ELDR Congress.”

Manukyan also informed the press that more than 100 delegates from 57 European liberal parties approved the resolution.

The next ELDR Congress might take place in Yerevan, Manukyan added.