U.S. Department of State slams use of violence for political change

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Department of State issued a statement condemning the use of violence in achieving political change in Armenia.

“We’re greatly relieved by the completion of the hostage situation at Yerevan’s police station. We’d like to reiterate that the use of violence in achieving politic change in Armenia is unacceptable,” the statement posted on the Voice of America website said.

On July 30, the U.S. Embassy expressed deep concern over “the shocking images and credible reports of violence and excessive use of force by the police to disperse protestors during the night of July 29-30.”

“The Prosecutor General’s launch of a criminal case into violence against journalists is a positive initial step, and we call on the government to allow a full, independent, and transparent investigation into all allegations of human rights violations, and to prosecute all those involved to the fullest extent of the law. We also urge the government to take immediate steps to ensure similar violations of Armenians’ constitutional and human rights do not recur,” the Embassy’s statement said.