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<<previous | index | next>> International ResponseInternational bodies responded to the April events in Armenia with statements of concern and calls for a political dialogue between the opposition and government. The Council of Europe issued two statements of concern. Its Secretary General warned of an anti-democratic decline in Armenia and called on the government to guarantee “all human rights which are protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.”95 The United States government made a statement, calling on “all sides to respect the role of peaceful assembly and to take all steps to prevent violence.”96 The OSCE made several statements of concern, but blamed
both the opposition and government for the situation. In
an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on April 13, OSCE Ambassador
Vladimir Pryakhin stated, "[w]e don't share the opinion that the
demonstration was purely peaceful because all sorts of provocative statements
were being made and stones were being thrown [at police forces]. But that's not
the point. We are against any kind of violence, and we conveyed our concerns in
this regard personally to [President Kocharian].”97
[95] “Secretary General warns of anti-democratic decline in Armenia and appeals for dialogue,” April 14, 2004, Press Release, Council of Europe Spokes person and Press Division, Council of Europe. “Peter Schieder asks Armenian parliamentary speaker for information on recent events,” Council of Europe, April 14, 2004 [online], http://assembly.coe.int/EMB_NewsView.asp?ID=223 (retrieved April 28, 2004). [96] “Political Unrest in Armenia,” U.S. Department of State Press Release, Press Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman, Washington, DC, April 13, 2004. [97] “Armenia: Opposition Considers Next Move As Government Threatens Clampdown On Rallies,” Prague, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, April 14, 2004. The OSCE issued two statements of concern about the violence against journalists, on April 8, and violence at the April 12-13 opposition rally, on April 14.
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