ANM: European liberals demand release of political prisoners in Armenia

 May 25, 2011 - 13:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chairman of the Armenian National Movement (ANM) board Aram Manukyan said that the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) adopted an urgent resolution on Armenia on May 20.

According to Manukyan, the resolution demands that Armenian authorities immediately release political prisoners, as well as instructs all members making a part of ELDR to gain their authorities’ ban on EU entry for those Armenian officials, who “participated in abuse of justice system due to political reasons.”

Manukyan noted that the release of political prisoners does not mean termination of the amnesty process.

The parties, which make a part of ELDR, should submit a report on the works carried out to this end during a meeting due in October-November in Milan.

Besides, high-ranking officials of various European structures plan to hold meetings and consultations with ANM on the matter.

Manukyan stressed that a similar resolution is adopted for the first time, what is explained by the people’s pressure in Armenia.

According to him, ELDR consists of 57 parties from around 40 countries, while ELDR parliamentary group has 84 seats in the European Parliament and is the third largest group.