Monday, November 18 2013

The European Union should ensure that human rights are at the core of its relationships with the countries involved in the Eastern Partnership, said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). 

He said that on November 28 and 29, 2013, the EU will convene a summit of its eastern neighbors in Vilnius, at which it is expected to lay the foundation for deeper political and economic ties with several partnership countries. 

"As the summit leaders get together in Vilnius, the EU should be very clear that it is serious about human rights. Tangible improvements in rights, not vague promises to tackle problems later, should serve as the basis for closer political and economic ties between the EU and its eastern partners," Williamson said, adding that the EU's eastern partners have diverse records, but all have a wide range of human rights problems. 

"The EU's approach to these countries should be principled and consistent, no matter what particular framework for relations it ultimately chooses for each of them," Williamson said.

Regarding Armenia, HRW said: "National elections in recent years have been flawed, and the February 2013 presidential election, won by Sargsyan, the incumbent, was no exception. International observers said it was "generally well-administered," but with "some serious violations." These included political bias on the part of public officials, misuse of administrative resources, voter harassment, and interference by the incumbent's proxies. The failure to investigate violent attacks against peaceful protesters by unidentified assailants, and a number of noncombat deaths in the military are also troubling. In August and September there was a spate of attacks against peaceful protesters in the capital, Yerevan, apparently intended to discourage participation in protests. Local human rights defenders say that torture and ill-treatment in police custody persist. Authorities often refuse to investigate allegations of ill treatment or pressure victims to retract complaints. Police use torture to coerce confessions and incriminating statements from suspects and witnesses. The definition of torture in Armenian law does not meet international standards.  Broadcast media lacks pluralism and there have been several instances of violence and harassment against journalists and media workers.  Violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation is a serious problem."