NDI Calls for Release of Opposition Campaigners, Respect for the Right to Peaceful Assembly and a Fair Campaign for Armenia's Presidential Runoff Election

Washington, DC, February 27, 2003

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is deeply concerned about the administrative detention by Armenian authorities of many opposition campaigners for a period that extends beyond the March 5 presidential runoff election. Beginning in the early hours of February 22, police began detaining opposition activists for alleged hooliganism and/or participation in unsanctioned rallies. About 100 such persons were initially detained, and reliable reports place the number now as many as 200; more than 35 have been sentenced for up to 15 days in jail under a section of the administrative code that the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly urged be abolished.

Every government has an obligation to respect the freedoms of assembly, association and speech, which are prerequisites to democratic political competition, just as they have an obligation to maintain lawful order. Arbitrary or disproportionate use of administrative or criminal sanctions in a political campaign period is a form of political discrimination that violates international standards and commitments to respect human rights as well as obligations to organize genuine elections. All opposition campaigners thus held should be released immediately from custody. Fair political competition is subverted every day opposition supporters are thus held. At the same time, the opposition and others must fully respect the law and the rights of everyone. Any calls for use of violence or unconstitutional actions are not legitimate responses to electoral grievances.

The flaws in the February 19 election process reported by international and domestic election observers, including ballot box stuffing and irregularities in the tabulation of results, are a disturbing continuation of illicit practices from past elections. As noted by NDI's pre-election delegation, Armenia has the capacity to organize genuine elections if it demonstrates the political will to break cleanly from such practices.

In the five days remaining before the runoff election both candidates' campaigns must respect the law, and all government and security forces must be politically neutral. Attempts to improperly influence voters, to interfere with campaigning and to manipulate the electoral outcome must cease so that the voters in Armenia may express freely their will at the ballot box on March 5 in order to establish a legitimate electoral mandate.