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OSCE Office concerned over cases of violence and intimidation against journalists in Armenia
YEREVAN, 12 September 2006 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan issued the following statement today:
"The OSCE Office in Yerevan is deeply concerned over recent incidents of violence and intimidation against local journalists which have obstructed their professional duties and infringed upon the freedom of expression.
According to reports, on 6 September, the Editor-in-Chief of Iravunk newspaper, Hovhannes Galajyan, was attacked and beaten by unknown men outside his Yerevan home. On 12 July, freelance journalist Gagik Shamshian, who works for Chorrord Ishkhanutiun and Aravot newspapers, was threatened and abused.
The Office considers it extremely important for these cases to be properly investigated and calls for the perpetrators to be punished in full accordance with the law. Law-enforcement bodies are urged to undertake prompt measures to ensure the safety of media professionals in order to promote freedom of expression in the country.
The Office welcomes the statements by the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman), the President's Press Secretary and civil society organizations, who condemned these acts of violence against journalists.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan will be closely following developments related to these cases."
"The OSCE Office in Yerevan is deeply concerned over recent incidents of violence and intimidation against local journalists which have obstructed their professional duties and infringed upon the freedom of expression.
According to reports, on 6 September, the Editor-in-Chief of Iravunk newspaper, Hovhannes Galajyan, was attacked and beaten by unknown men outside his Yerevan home. On 12 July, freelance journalist Gagik Shamshian, who works for Chorrord Ishkhanutiun and Aravot newspapers, was threatened and abused.
The Office considers it extremely important for these cases to be properly investigated and calls for the perpetrators to be punished in full accordance with the law. Law-enforcement bodies are urged to undertake prompt measures to ensure the safety of media professionals in order to promote freedom of expression in the country.
The Office welcomes the statements by the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman), the President's Press Secretary and civil society organizations, who condemned these acts of violence against journalists.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan will be closely following developments related to these cases."
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Armenian version
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Gohar Avagyan
- OSCE Office in Yerevan
- 89 Teryan St.
- 375009 Yerevan
- Armenia
- Tel: +374 10 54 10 62
- +374 10 54 58 45
- Fax: +374 10 54 10 61