Union of Journalists of Armenia expects criminal responsibility to those committing violence against journalists

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The Union of Journalists of Armenia issued a statement over the incidents in Khorenatsi Street and Sari Tagh in Yerevan which impeded the works of the journalists.

“Armenpress” presents the full statement:

“During the 25 years of declaring independence the indisputable achievement of working in freedom of speech and media, unfortunately, has often been marred by an uneducated, violent behavior of certain political forces, the opportunistic representatives of the legal system who do not have any connection with civilization.

Through the use of force in Sari Tagh and Khorenatsi Street in the evening of July 29 the Police impeded the journalists’ professional activities.

The journalistic organizations again raised their voice. As previously, this time as well the legal bodies are making efforts to investigate and restore the journalistic tools. We think these are just ceremonies and will not prevent tomorrow’s violence against the journalists.

Since the 2nd part of the Article 309, the 2nd part of the Article 164, the 2nd part of the Article 185 of the Criminal Code have not been applied yet, and the public has not been informed about the results of applying them, the journalistic community will have skeptical attitude towards those who ensure and protect their rights to freedom and their duties.

We recall that any intervention and violation of the journalistic freedom raises in itself the issue of public legal relations.

The public expects concrete results and guarantees”, the statement says.