June 6, 2009 - 18:09 AMT
Human Rights organizations calls on Armenia's president to proclaim amnesty
International Federation for Human Rights and Civil Society Institute call the president of Armenia for the release of all political prisoners.

As it is mentioned in the claim, on May 28, 2009 the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan called on political parties and on the newly-created public council to submit their recommendations on the necessity and conditions for an amnesty to his Cabinet and ask the National Assembly to adopt a decision on amnesty. A number of protesters were arrested and detained on various charges in the wake of the 1st-of-March events, when the President declared a state of
emergency.

In the claim, President's words are quoted; "If it turns out that there is a comprehensive need matured among the society, I'll use my Constitutional right and ask the National Assembly to adopt a decision on amnesty" - the Armenian President reportedly stated.

The International Federation for Human Rights and the Civil Society Institute have repeatedly called upon the Armenian authorities to release all political prisoners, including those deprived of their liberty in relation to the events of 1 and 2 March 2008.

"Our organizations would like to renew their call and encourage the President of Armenia to release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Armenia, including three members of Parliament who supported the opposition and protested against the results of March 2008 presidential elections," says the claim.