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Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has issued a statement over the tense situation in the country, calling on all participants to take measures for peaceful settlement of the situation in the country.

The full statement published by the Ombudsman’s Office reads:

“A tense atmosphere is created in the country. 24-hour monitoring of social networks and other publications shows a clear increase of hate speech and violence, including calls on armed resolution. This is extremely unacceptable, since it strains the situation even more.

24-hour investigations show that violence and intolerance campaigns are being carried out through the comments under the media publications and reports. There are also frequent cases of violence.

The comments under the publications in social media describing the actions of police that call for violence towards police officers and in separate cases to deprivation of life are of special concern.

In these circumstances, blockade of vehicles of the persons, responsible for the most important functions of the state is also unacceptable.

Alerts related to child rights violations have significantly increased. A strong protection and security of children based on the principles of their best interest should also be ensured.

This situation is fraught with the threat of serious human rights violations and the dangers of obstacles to preventing these violations.

In all these circumstances, it is our duty to exert every effort for the peaceful settlement of the situation.

Therefore, I call all actors of the process to show tolerance and responsible attitude, to refrain from activities straining the situation and creating dangerous situation for violence cases.

All calls and exhortations aimed at peaceful settlement of the situation are welcomed.”

Mass demonstrations resumed in Armenia’s capital on Saturday morning entering a ninth day to protest ex-president Serzh Sargsyan’s nomination and election as the country’s prime minister.