Human rights activists are not united in defending political prisoners now, Vardan Harutyunyan, Head of the Law and Freedom Center, stated at the discussion “Human rights in Armenia: political prisoners’ problems” today. He is sure last year’s presidential election caused a split in the human rights protection sector in Armenia.

He reported that immediately after the March 1, 2008, events representatives of human rights NGOs offered their help in protecting political prisoners’ rights, but they ceased to do so by the end of the month.

Harutyunyan informed the participants of 15 political prisoners in Armenia. Most of them are Opposition members arrested after the March 1-2 events last year for their political beliefs.

NEWS.am reminds readers that last year’s presidential election was followed by riots and demonstrators’ clashes with police, which claimed ten lives. No one has so far been held responsible for the murders.

T.P.