MP: improvement of relations with opposition among reasons for amnestyMay 27, 2011 - 11:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Rafik Petrosyan admitted that improvement of relations with the opposition was among the reasons for the amnesty declared on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. “Amnesty will help solve problems challenging Armenia and improve the situation in penitentiaries,” Petrosyan told a press conference in Yerevan. Leader of New Times Party Aram Karapetyan, in turn, welcomed the amnesty, particularly the fact that his “friends - political prisoners – will be released.” He agreed that the authorities’ decision concerning amnesty was caused by the wish to ease domestic tensions. With a vote 91-0, the Armenian parliament approved Thursday, May 26, President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal for declaration of amnesty for 396 people to be released and 379 to have their sentence cut. Presenting the proposal on Wednesday Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan said that “declaration of amnesty is a humane initiative and demonstration of the President’s good will.” “This is a move that can unite the nation. We must change our public life and have a civilized dialogue,” he said, adding that amnesty does not mean loss of vigilance. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |