Rights commission on politically motivated prosecutions holds first news conference

A newly established Commission on the Rights of Persons Subject to Politically Motivated Prosecution held its first news conference on Tuesday, outlining its mission to document prosecutions for political reasons, promote legal reforms and monitor the protection of political rights in Armenia.

The commission said it aims to raise public awareness of cases involving politically motivated prosecutions, document reported incidents, provide legal and public assessments, and conduct ongoing monitoring of political rights protections in the country.

It also seeks to promote legislative mechanisms and institutional practices designed to ensure effective responses to politically motivated prosecutions, with the goal of deterring such practices in the future.

The commission said it intends to make use of Armenia's commitments to international organizations and available international oversight mechanisms to help prevent the development of authoritarian governance and curb political repression.

Among its principal activities, the commission plans to document cases of politically motivated prosecution, prepare legal assessments, conduct fact-finding and public awareness campaigns, publish regular reports and statements, develop legislative reform proposals and cooperate with domestic and international organizations and partners.

The commission's founding members include Larisa Alaverdyan, Armenia's first human rights ombudsman and a former MP; former Ambassador Dzyunik Aghajanyan; political analyst and human rights advocate Maya Barkhudaryan; political analyst Yervand Bozoyan; political analyst Stepan Danielyan; human rights advocate Hovhannes Ishkhanyan; lawmaker Anna Mkrtchyan; former MP and lawyer Zaruhi Postanjyan; MP Elinar Vardanyan; lawyer Sergey Sargsyan; and Mariam Chakhoyan, president of the Tookhmanook NGO.