LI, IFLRY and ALDE-PACE Joint Statement on the Attack on Aram Manukyan
On December 11, Armenian MP Aram Manukyan who is the Vice-President of the leading opposition party Armenian National Congress was brutally attacked in what seems as political-motivated violence.
After days of treatment, Mr Manukyan is still in hospital. The incident follows several other attacks on Armenian opposition figures.
As leaders of global and European federations of liberal organisations – Liberal International, IFLRY and ALDE Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe – we condemn in strongest possible terms the act of physical violence on a leader of a political party, stating:
“Our thoughts go to Mr Manukyan and his family. We wish him a speedy and full recovery. We wish his family strength, and his political colleagues unity and persistence“
“We jointly remind that this incident is not an isolated case of political violence. It is a consequence of governmental policies of authoritarianism, far away from the commitments that the country has a Council of Europe member state.”
“We will alert the international institutions, including the Council of Europe, the European Union and the United Nations Human Rights Council that the brutal crackdown on Armenian opposition figures cannot go unsanctioned. The Armenian regime should stop seaking an inspiration in the political system of Azerbaijan and should transform Armenia into a country of human rights, democracy and rule of law.“
“It is in times like these we are reminded of the bravery Armenian opposition figures, like Mr Manukyan, show when fighting for universal liberal values. They are brave women and men fighting for a free and fair society. We look forward to seeing Mr Manukyan soon again where he belongs: among his loved ones, in the Armenian parliament and among us at a meeting of our international political organisations.“
Dr. Juli Minoves Christian Scharling Jordi Xucla MP
President
Liberal International International Federation of ALDE-PACE Group
Liberal Youth