Lemkin Institute, Amnesty International condemn violence by Armenian  law enforcement officers against peaceful protesters

ArmInfo.The Lemkin Institute for the Prevention of Genocide condemned violence against peaceful  protesters and journalists by law enforcement officers during a protest on June 12 in front of the Armenian parliament building.

"On June 12th, during the ongoing anti-government protests in  Yerevan, police used brute force, including the deployment of dozens  of smoke and stun grenades aimed directly at people in the crowd,  injuring almost a hundred people, including journalists from a number  of news services. Law enforcement claims that police suffered minor  injuries. Alarmingly, the authorities, along with Prime Minister  Nikol Pashinyan, have defended these police actions. As we have  stated numerous times over, freedom of speech and assembly are  fundamental human rights and core principles of inclusive and  equitable societies. They are also critical tools for genocide  prevention, as these rights empower individuals and communities to  speak out against injustices and demand accountability from their  governments. By ensuring that people can voice their concerns and  mobilize collectively, societies are better equipped to address and  mitigate factors contributing to genocidal processes. Thus, the  Lemkin Institute is disturbed by the aggressive dispersal tactics  used against protesters and journalists in Yerevan on June 12, which  contradict Armenia's proclaimed commitment to peace, democratic  principles, and human rights. This commitment should mean  safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly and free speech, not  suppressing dissent through violence and bloodshed,"  the Institute  said in a statement.

The international human rights organization Amnesty International  also condemned the actions of the police.

"Reacting to reports of violent clashes between protesters and police  in Armenia's capital Yerevan, which resulted in numerous injuries and  detentions, Natalia Nozadze, Amnesty International's South Caucasus  Researcher, said:  "The level of violence during the latest street  rally in Yerevan is deeply worrying. We call on the Armenian  authorities to immediately and impartially investigate what happened,  including allegations that the police may have used unnecessary or  excessive force." "The authorities' response to protests, even when  they turn violent, must be strictly compliant with international  human rights law and standards. Law enforcement officials should  avoid the use of force; where this is not possible, force should only  be used when it is absolutely necessary and proportionate to achieve  a legitimate law enforcement objective, and to the minimum extent  necessary," the Organization emphasized.

On June 12, the police used disproportionate and unprovoked force  against peaceful protesters near the government building. Flashbang  grenades and other special means were used. According to official  data, over 100 people were injured. According to available  information, as a result of the use of special means, about 10 media  representatives were injured, and editorial equipment was damaged.  The media have distributed footage showing a deliberate strike of  flashbang grenades in the direction of journalists and cameramen  working at the protest site. Moreover, many footages where dozens of  policemen are brutally beating the protester, who is trying to  protect his head and face with his hands, have been spread on the  World Wide Web.  The Chief of Police of Armenia justified these  actions of the police, assuring that the protesters did not obey the  lawful demands of law enforcement officers. However, video footage of  the incidents indicates the opposite.