On December 14 the RA Human Rights Defender Larisa Alaverdian disseminated
a statement, expressing her concern at the recently increased frequency of violations
of the rights of media representatives. “Attacks, grave injuries, violence,
obstruction of the work of journalists, bringing them to police stations become
a common practice, seriously damaging the reputation of the country”, the Ombudsman
statement says in particular. It is not accidental that the deterioration of
freedom of expression situation is recorded by international organizations,
too, Larisa Alaverdian notes. The Human Rights Defender expressed a hope that
each case of obstructing professional activities, and particularly, of violence
against journalists will be thoroughly investigated and those guilty will be
duly punished.
Earlier, on December 9, Larisa Alaverdian awarded diplomas and memorable prizes
to journalists who addressed the human rights issues throughout 2005. The awards
of the RA Ombudsman were granted to: Ruzan Minasian (“Aravot” daily), Armineh
Ohanian (“Haikakan Zhamanak” daily), Alexander Tovmasian (“Golos Armenii” newspaper)
and Vahan Ishkhanian (“ArmeniaNow” online weekly).
