According to videos and announcements made by journalists and other persons it becomes evident that because of the meeting that had been taking place during the last few days physical force and special methods had been applied by the policemen towards the citizens, including reporters who were performing their professional duties.

The “Police Law” of Republic of Armenia allows the police to perform enforcement warranties, if those warranties aim the purposes of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the ways to achieve them are suitable, necessary and moderated.

That’s not for nothing that international agreements and municipal law are ruled by the principles of necessity and moderation. The officials having the power of enforcement can form and preserve the feeling of justice in their nation only acting according to those principles.

If those principles are broken, no matter what was the “noble” reason for breaking them (for example it is dangerous for the citizen to be near the territory of the Police Regiment and for that “reason” he must be “reasonably” frightened for him never to come back again) the feeling of unjustice, being non protected, distrust and hatred arises in the citizen. And keeping in mind the four-day April cases in the whole context, the brave behavior of our society makes people take more active steps.

Concluding the mentioned facts the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia:

-          Condemns the policemen for forcing authorities and actions of breaking the principles of necessity and moderation, including actions that proved to be obstacles for the journalists to perform their professional duties.

-          Appeals to certain organs to fully, impartially, comprehensively and publicly examine the acts of physical force and constraining methods applied by the policemen and call the guilty persons to justice.

- pronounces assistance to the journalist community.

The Chairman of the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia

 Ara Zohrabyan