Holly Cartner - the Executive Director of Europe and Central Asia Division of Human Rights Watch sent a letter to the RA President Serzh Sargsyan regarding amendments to the law on TV and Radio broadcasting.

In his letter Holly Cartner expressed concern regarding the negative impact on media pluralism and public access to diversity of information and opinion in Armenia, recent amendments to the ‘Law on Television and Radio,” are likely to have.

“We urge you to refrain from signing the law and instead return it to the National Assembly and urge them to continue their deliberations with the aim of bringing any and all amendments into compliance with Armenia's international obligations on freedom of expression,” the letter says.

HRW appreciates government’s intention to regulate country’s transition to digital broadcasting. However, Cartner notes that “the rushed legislative process did not allow for full incorporation of concerns expressed by civil society and Armenia’s international partners, including the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE).”

 “We strongly hope that the National Assembly will heed the concerns of Armenia’s civil society, the OSCE, and others and make the necessary changes to bring the legislation fully into line with Armenia’s international obligations,” Cartner concludes.