Armenian Human Rights Defender warns of election processes threatening democracy

Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan believes that “whatever is happening lately with local governments is fraught with deep dangers to the basis of democracy, the right to vote.”

There have been many cases recently when criminal cases are initiated against the leaders of the political forces that won local elections. Arrests and detentions happen too. On December 16, former mayor of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan became the latest politician to be arrested.

“Extremely dangerous interventions are carried out against local government officials, elected by the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, through political and law enforcement processes, in connection with which the public is either not given proper explanations or no explanations are given at all,” the Ombudsman said.

“I remind everyone that the right to vote in local government elections is guaranteed by Article 48 of the Armenian Constitution, in accordance with Armenia’s international obligations.”