Armenian police to get right for surveillance of citizens
17.01.2018,
17:18
A set of changes to the Armenian law "On Police" passed today by the parliament in the first reading empowers police to use photo and video shooting devices in order to prevent crimes, investigate crime scenes and ensure public order, including road safety.
YEREVAN, January 17. /ARKA/ A set of changes to the Armenian law "On Police" passed today by the parliament in the first reading empowers police to use photo and video shooting devices in order to prevent crimes, investigate crime scenes and ensure public order, including road safety.
According to deputy police chief Vahram Yeghiazaryan, the law provides for the use of special equipment and specifies also the ways and conditions of their use, including the use of stationary and mobile technical means for photo and video recording, which should be carried out exclusively by the police-owned equipment.
He noted that the amendments provide for mandatory warning before shooting, including in written form when a stationary camera is used and an oral notification when a mobile camera is used.
According to the deputy chief of police, the footage will be kept for 7 days, but for some cases the number of days can be prolonged. The law limits the list of people who can access the database, replenish or destroy it.
The proposed changes were slammed by lawmakers from the opposition Yelk faction as a direct violation of human rights and interference in their private life.
"This is a grave breach and interference in private life of citizens. The amendments also create an opportunity for total surveillance of the government’s critics," said the head of the faction Nikol Pashinyan. -0-
According to deputy police chief Vahram Yeghiazaryan, the law provides for the use of special equipment and specifies also the ways and conditions of their use, including the use of stationary and mobile technical means for photo and video recording, which should be carried out exclusively by the police-owned equipment.
He noted that the amendments provide for mandatory warning before shooting, including in written form when a stationary camera is used and an oral notification when a mobile camera is used.
According to the deputy chief of police, the footage will be kept for 7 days, but for some cases the number of days can be prolonged. The law limits the list of people who can access the database, replenish or destroy it.
The proposed changes were slammed by lawmakers from the opposition Yelk faction as a direct violation of human rights and interference in their private life.
"This is a grave breach and interference in private life of citizens. The amendments also create an opportunity for total surveillance of the government’s critics," said the head of the faction Nikol Pashinyan. -0-
