Armenia’s ombudsman urges politicians to refrain from confrontation in presidential election

YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. The Ombudsman of Armenia Armen Harutiunian urges politicians to refrain from confrontation in the presidential election. “No society exists without contradictions, but democratic countries differ from others in settling issues based on tolerance and dialogue,” the Ombudsman told a press-conference Friday.

According to Harutiunian, the tension between the opposition and the authorities can be extremely dangerous for the country. “But if a situation occurs and mass violation of human rights happen, the ombudsman will be next to the people,” the human rights defender said.

“Someone may be interested in the defender saying nothing and keeping silence, others want to see him in the political field with the opposition, but the human rights defender acts in the legal field and is in no way connected with politics,” Harutiunian said.

According to him, the institute of Ombudsman of Armenia will respond to legal aspects of problems as its involvement in politics will not promote either accomplishment of the institution or progress of the country. –0--