Saturday, August 6 2016 05:07

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills and Acting Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrea Chalopuva met with Head of Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office (HCAV ) Avetik Ishkhanyan, on August 5.

According to HCAV website, Ambassador Mills said the U.S. Embassy is concerned about the reports on the August 4 detention of 25 activists without disclosing the reason. The diplomat highlighted the activity of the human rights organizations, including HCAV, in Armenia during the recent days. The ambassador said the Embassy like HCAV is seriously concerned about the credible data concerning the excessive use of force by police against activists and journalists covering the events in Yerevan's Erebuni district.

Avetik Ishkhanyan, in turn, presented the work carried out by HCAV, particularly, the monitoring results of the assemblies of last 2-3 weeks, the steps taken concerning the reports and complains received. Ishkhanyan expressed concern about the reports of violence against protesters and journalists, persecution of civic activists and their supporters, infringement of their rights.