The Helsinki Association for Human Rights today presented its 2010 Annual Report on the human rights
situation in the Republic of Armenia.

The report was presented in two halves. The first volume of the report deals with freedom of speech
and mass media, human rights activists, peaceful assemblies, prohibition of torture and ill treatment and
freedom of religion and conscientious objection.
The second volume contained the results of monitoring activities in mental hospitals, trials and penitentiary
institutions in the Republic of Armenia.
Expert of the Helsinki association Arsen Babayan said that the condition in the penitentiary institutions is extremely insanitary. The condition is a little satisfactory in the penitentiary institution of Artik, while the worst is the situation in ‘Nubarashen’ .
He also noted that from 2010 to February 9, 2011, 38 people died in penitentiary institutions: 32 died of illness, 1 – in an accident, 5- commited suicide.

The U.S. is interested in rapid settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the Helsinki principles, said U.S. First Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg on his visit to Baku, reports Trend.

“We hope for certain progress in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We think that both countries are interested in promoting this issue”, Steinberg said.

“I plan to learn the opinion of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev how we can move this process forward by common efforts,” he said.

Steinberg also emphasized that it is very important to maintain a diplomatic solution to the conflict, as it is in the interests of all countries in the region. “We want to make a contribution to advancing this process forward,” he said.

The OSCE Chairman in Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis addressing the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Winter Meeting in Vienna, 24 February called the OSCE participating states to fulfill their commitments and take actions towards the goals of the Helsinki process, the perspective guided by the values and principles which each of our participating States have affirmed.

‘The OSCE participating States have made progress over the years, individually and collectively, toward the goals of the Helsinki process. But even today, as the Chairman-in-Office, I still see individuals facing challenges in securing their basic human rights, guaranteeing fair elections, protecting freedom of speech and the safety of journalists and ensuring that anti-terrorism measures comply with international human rights standards’ said he.

In his speech the OSCE Chairperson also touched upon the process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution.
‘I have met with the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group. I am concerned about the potential for deterioration in the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Casualties have been occurring at an increasing rate along the Contact Line. The OSCE role in pursuing a settlement of the Nagorno‐Karabakh conflict through stronger engagement by the Co-chairs of the Minsk Group will be maintained. We invite the conflict parties, and other OSCE participating States, to consider options for confidence-building measures and strengthening the OSCE monitoring activities, particularly in light of growing tensions on the ground’ said Ažubalis.

As Chairman Audronius Ažubalis will visit the South Caucuses in mid-March.

Opportunities for cooperation between the U.S. government and private Azerbaijani companies will be discussed at today’s meeting of the Azerbaijan-American Chamber of Commerce, informs Trend.

The meeting will discuss not only relations between countries in the energy sector, but also a wide range of cooperation in other fields, US Amassador to Azerbaijan Mattew Bryza said.

“Our main goal is that every Azerbaijani citizen should take the maximum advantage of the country’s dynamic and sustainable development,” the ambassador said.