PACE decides no sanctions for Armenia. Sad, but true.

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has decided not to impose sanctions on Armenia for what it has called "political prisoners" still sitting in jail. Armenia just barely weaseled out of it, by promising to change a law, which should in theory lead to the freeing of the prisoners. This reminds me of Article 301 in Turkey, and their attempts to weasel out of European sanctions and continue progress towards the EU.

Going easy on these governments is not the solution. These baby steps on such matters as human rights are unforgivable. People are dying due to laws like this, including people like Hrant Dink, who died 2 years ago due to the logical conclusion of carrying out the spirit of article 301 in Turkey.

I would love to see Armenia integrate more into Europe - while protecting it's own identity, language, culture and more. But I don't want to see Europe accept Armenia until it is treating its own citizens properly. The Armenian people deserve better, and I think if their government can no longer pretend what it is doing is acceptable and normal, it will be forced to change more quickly. The people tried to stand up for themselves a few times now, each time to be crushed by tanks (1996), apathy (1999) and riot police (2004? and 2008). Unfortunately each time they've lacked a good, honest reformer to stand behind, but at least they should be able to count on Europe to stand behind them.