On February 25 “Shirak Regional Party Consensus” (an organization uniting 14 regional branches of opposition parties, active in Gyumri and Shirak region) during its ordinary meeting at “Asparez” Journalists’ Club adopted a declaration on the draft law “On Mass Communication” previously developed by the RA Ministry of Justice and approved by the Government.
The declaration of the party activists expresses agreement with the statement adopted on February 21 by media and journalistic associations protesting against draft law “On Mass Communication” (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, February 16-22, 2002).
“We call on the RA Government not only to refrain from submitting the draft to the consideration of the National Assembly, but also keep from any explosive actions that are directly or indirectly aimed at restricting the democracy and freedom of speech”, the declaration of “Shirak Regional Party Consensus” says in particular.
