WARSAW, 19 April 2018 \u2013 Ingibj\u00f6rg S\u00f3lr\u00fan G\u00edslad\u00f3ttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today urged the authorities in Armenia to protect and ensure the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in the country, as protests there continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll people have a fundamental right to express their opinion in peaceful protests,\u201d the ODIHR Director said. \u201cLaw enforcement authorities must not only refrain from interfering with the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, but have a responsibility to facilitate this right. This includes ensuring the safety and security of participants in the face of any disruptions, such as by agent provocateurs or counter-protestors.\u201d<\/p>\n
While noting the offer by the Armenian authorities to engage in dialogue with the opposition, G\u00edslad\u00f3ttir expressed concern over reported instances of the disproportionate use of force by Armenian police against peaceful protestors, including minors, as well as indiscriminate arrests in Yerevan and other cities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe authorities must make certain that any measures to ensure public security are lawful, necessary and proportionate, and are not aimed at muting dissenting opinions,\u201d G\u00edslad\u00f3ttir said.<\/p>\n