‘Sex bombs’ as new ‘weapons of mass distraction’ in Armenia?

This erotic show, or whatever it was, reportedly was staged at the Northern avenue to ‘coincide’ with the opposition rally at the nearby Liberty sq. in Yerevan. Some claim that the authorities started using sex as a ‘weapon of mass distraction’ :))

Not surprising that regime used sex (half naked women in black/red lingerie) to try to distract from Liberty Square
@tzitzernak

Whether this is the case or not, the coincidence is hilarious.

Yerevan Diaries: night people, sex and rock... and losers

Instead of editorial

One of the reasons why I like Yerevan at night is because all those սուտի նամուսով Armenian men and women, boys and girls are at home, sitting in front of their computers or TVs and judging others’ life OR back to sleep after yet another sex-less day. Because they are afraid of night. Night has different rules (or no rules). Rules for those who enjoy living.

Because in reality they [“սուտի նամուսով”] would love to do what others - who they judge - do with their lives, but they are afraid or fail at doing so. In fact, what they NORMALLY do would be considered much-much worse according to the same books or dogmas they use to judge others. They quite enjoy it. Then, they return to their ‘perfect’ lives, back home, and continue living... not their lives, but others’. Continue living lies.

And, yes, they are very bad at sex. They have close to “0” sex skills. And they are jealous of those, who are good at it. They want to kill ‘em.

There are two very different Yerevan: day-time and night-time. I suppose, it's obvious which one I prefer.

That’s why I absolutely loved my night outs in Yerevan. And I loved the rock concert at Liberty sq (Opera) as part of Summer Music Festival.

“Take me downtown
Take me underground” -

crowd was singing along with the Danish rock group.

That was quite a change from usual rabiz or cheap pop happenings going on there (latest example). The atmosphere was electric, free, good weird.

For a moment, I felt like Yerevan turned into one of the European capitals. I was in an alternative reality in Yerevan. The reality I prefer and will choose for instead. The rest is for losers.

Yerevan Diaries: no poster Opera

Have to admit. I missed the view of Opera area surrounded by posters & ads of performances and so on. They were good and bad, tasteful and tasteless. But they were part of the 'deal', and fitted the area perfectly. Without them, the only 'filling' for Opera area (& Liberty sq) is provided by cafes. And it looks empty to me.

When opposition leaders in Armenia fail...

I have no desire whatsoever to comment in detail on the ‘hottest topic’ of discussions in Armenia now - why or whether Levon Ter-Petrosyan (LTP) should have approached another prominent oppositionist, head of Zharagutyun (‘Heritage’) party, ex-Foreign Minister Raffi Hovhannisyan who is on hunger strike at Liberty sq in Yerevan. [Read also: Liberty sq. Liberated. ‘Spring of hope’ for changes in Armenia?]

Most reactions I saw are exploiting this topic for their narrow political interests and dirty tricks under the cover of ‘care’ about Raffi or LTP or opposition or Armenia’s future... I just want to say one thing. In my opinion, regardless of political desirability, inter-personal relations, sensitivities, ‘simple’ or ‘complex’ politics, LTP should have approached Raffi. I do not care about all sorts of excuses provided. It was the only right thing to do for ethical and human perspectives. It was also right thing to do in terms of “public relations”.

‘17 March’ should have been a day of triumph for LTP led Armenian opposition. It was. For one day only. Now it's turning into a PR disaster for Levon. As if things were not bad enough, LTP comes up with an “explanation” of his actions and motives, that is beyond words ridiculous.

Armenian National Congress (HAK) leader Levon Ter-Petrossian responded to a question by local daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”) as to why the opposition leader didn’t approach Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian during the HAK rally on Mar. 17 at Liberty Square. Recall, Hovannisian has been camped out at Liberty Square since Mar. 15, the day he began his hunger strike “for freedom.”
“Because that goes against my Christian principles. Christianity for me is before or even more than religion, it is a moral codex. And this codex categorically rejects the piety, mercy, humility, modesty, charity, including a demonstration of fasting, of Christian virtues. When a virtue is put on display, it stops being a virtue. Particularly on fasting, one of the Armenian Church’s most authoritative Fathers, Hovhan  [Hovhannes] Mandakuni, in the 5th century said the following: ‘The Devil destroys both the one fasting and his Lent, when man wants and classifies himself above others, so that his abstinence is drummed by others, and people become aware of and admire his endurance. Such a Lent doesn’t cleanse and justify, but rather pollutes and destroys’ (Matenagirk Hayots, A, p. 1170). On request, a hundred such examples can be brought forth from Armenian and world church literature.
“Anyway, if Raffi Hovannisian instead of publicly fasting, announced a hunger strike with specific political demands, I would not only welcome him, but also announce my full solidarity,” he said.

I mean. seriously, Levon. This is what you are going to do when you come to the power? To preach? And to "explain" your actions by Bible articles, Christian “principles” and “virtues” as opposed to the constitution, human rights and law?

There are few things more off-putting for me than politicians using religion to “explain”, “excuse” or “justify” their actions or inaction.

Now about Raffi’s “demands”. That Raffi started his hunger strike “for freedom” without any specific demands was a bit strange, to say the least. After all the criticism of recent days and the latest from LTP, today he finally revealed what he called Heritage party’s “political demands”. Sorry, Raffi, these are not ‘demands’, but rather empty slogans and populism:

1. Power to the people
2. No to a party state
3. The people are the country’s owner
4. Vox populi, vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God)
5. A free square, free citizen, free country
6. A free citizen, a safe state
7. A dignified future for Armenian youth
8. Employment for the people
9. SOS Armenia is being emptied of Armenians
10. No to injustice, poverty and emigration
11. An end to ruling corruption
12. Strength also lies in morality
13. No to [the Armenian-Turkish] Protocols, yes to Homeland
14. Recognition of Artsakh [the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh]
15. That miraculous country which is ours and will be ours — Armenia.

"The voice of the people is the voice of God". What a ‘powerful’ ‘demand’, indeed. And so on, and so on...

Come on, Raffi, I was of much-much higher opinion of you. In fact, you were one of the most respected (if not the most) Armenian politicians for me. But this? You can’t be serious. This is a joke. Honestly, when I started reading these points, I burst into laughing. But then I stopped as I realised how sad the reality is.

Yes, I know, I’ve been reminded that this is not specific to Armenia, that politicians suck everywhere, but have to repeat what I’ve said on Twitter and Facebook today. Politicians in Armenia suck... even the good ones.

Liberty sq. Liberated. ‘Spring of hope’ for changes in Armenia?

From the moment when Liberty sq got seized by the authorities 3 years ago, it became apparent that unless it gets liberated again, there will be no possibility for real changes in Armenia. Apart from the great symbolism that Liberty sq represents, you just can’t have hopes for democracy in your country when you have ‘no-go’ zones there. Not that this is the only pre-requisite for changes, but still...

I can’t help myself but wonder: will today’s event transcend into a ‘spring of hope’ for changes in Armenia? It’s clear that the liberation of Liberty sq happened due to a good will and cooperation between the opposition and the authorities added by biggest (in recent past) people turnout, continuous pressures from the European structures (incidentally, senior PACE rapporteurs on Armenia were in town), worsening of socio-economic conditions of locals and the influence of more global spirit of revolutionary uprisings elsewhere.

My immediate reaction to the liberation of Liberty sq in the heart of Yerevan became “Top Tweet” for #17mar on Twitter.

This is one of the first pictures to appear live from Liberty sq on Twitter.

Picture of the Day. #Yerevan Liberty sq. via @divideetimpera: #Armenia #17mar http://t.co/9E8RlUG

@unzippedblog 

Opportunities for something positive for Armenia are there, or as they say, ‘in the air’. It’s now up to people, opposition and the authorities to make them a reality. It would be such a shame to miss this chance again. For the start, there should be no political prisoners in Armenia. Absolutely none.

Along with Liberty sq., at least 2 political prisoners set free today. Senior European delegation in town. #Armenia #Yerevan #17mar

@unzippedblog 

And let’s not forget who directly kick started the latest wave of the “battle for Liberty”. Couple of days ago, prominent oppositionist, head of Zharangutyun (Heritage) party, ex-foreign minister Raffi Hovhannisyan started “hungry for change” hunger strike inside the Liberty sq making it more than ever (over the past 3 years) accessible to protest voices and activists. “On the morning of March 15, 2011 he went on a hunger-strike to put an end to empty promises, corrupt practices and corrosive apathy.” “His actions paved the way for thousands of peaceful protesters, under the leadership of Armenian National Congress (a coalition of opposition groups) to, in the evening of March 17, 2011, retake Liberty Square.” (press release and picture below - FB page - Hungry for Change: Freedom and Justice in Armenia | Ծոմ Ազատության)

Oh, and btw, this headline from epress.am instantly became one of my favourites from today. Լարվածությունը թուլացել է. ոստիկանները ընթրում ու կոկա-կոլա են խմում (‘Tension decreased. Police having a bite to eat and drinking coca-cola)

Ոստիկանները չեն թաքցնում իրենց ուրախությունն առ այն, որ հրաման ստացան բացել շղթան և ցուցարարների նկատմամբ ուժ չկիրառել:

Երիտասարդ ոստիկանների մի խումբ, տեղակայվելով Սայաթ-Նավա պողոտայի կողմից, նստել է ասֆալտի վրա, բրդուճներ են ուտում ու կոկա-կոլա խմում. նրանք առավոտվանից լարված վիճակում կանգնած էին փողոցում:

Shall we re-shut instead of ‘re-open’ the Liberty sq in Yerevan?

That Liberty square has been re-opened is good news, indeed. And I am not referring here to politics. However, apparently, the authorities in Armenia declare it a politics-free zone. Police stop and detain ‘operation’ is in full action resulting in scuffles and arrests. The aim is to halt any sign of protest or opposition activism in Liberty square. Using force is allowed.

It’s during reading such news I wonder that perhaps it was better to have Liberty sq shut having in place ‘alternative arrangements’ for opposition or any citizen, in fact, to exercise their civil rights. Yes, there may be provocations. Yes, some or many ordinary citizens may get annoyed, or as British would say, pissed off by shouts or rallies or whatever, instead preferring the square for cafes and entertainment only.

But there is no such thing as convenient democracy. I do not believe in ‘human rights light’. It’s either there or not.

PACE: Armenian authorities should fully respect the principle of freedom of assembly

Last year, in June, to 'justify' banning opposition rallies in Liberty sq, Armenian authorities set up the 'amusement park', or 'children's park', there. Someone(s) is lacking originality and imagination, and it's time for a déjà vu. Yerevan municipality refused to authorise the rally in central Yerevan (outside the Matenadaran institute of ancient manuscripts) citing already planned 'little Matenadarantsi', a 'children's event', there. They went further banning the rally on Northern avenue too.

They also said there’s an “expert conclusion” stating the rally on Northern Avenue might “endanger the health and security of the people due to ongoing construction works there. (Now that one’s funny - I haven’t seen any traces of construction there for months!)

To complete this picture, below is a statement issued today by infamous Prescott & Colombier of PACE.

Strasbourg, 17.02.2009 - John Prescott and Georges Colombier , co-rapporteurs on Armenia 's monitoring for the Parliamenatry Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), expressed their concern about the refusal of the authorities to allow the Armenian National Congress (HAK) to organise a peaceful rally in Central Yerevan on 1 March 2009. They stressed that the Assembly has on several occasions called upon the authorities to fully respect the principle of freedom of assembly in Armenia and not to place undue restrictions, especially with regard to the requested venues, upon peaceful rallies organised by the opposition. In their view , the possibility for all political forces to organise peaceful rallies is an essential component of democracy and therefore call upon the authorities to allow such peaceful rallies to take place unimpeded in the requested venues. (PACE)

Another banned film - "Opera" by Tigran Khzmalyan. Watch it!

*via A1+

Film was banned by the Armenian authorities from showing at the Venice Biennale.

French-Armenian oppositionist and Karabakh war veteran Sargis Hatspanian faces deportation from Armenia

He was in hiding after 1 March events. He decided to come back, to his family, to his children, back to Armenia. It’s Sargis Hatspanian I am talking about, French-Armenian Karabakh war veteran, supporter of Armenia’s first president and opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan. He is now ‘blockaded’ in his own flat and faces possible extradition from Armenia. Circumstances of his case remain unclear, legality and actions by the authorities – questionable, to say the least.

Sargis Hatspanian visited his family members for the first time since he went underground after the events of March 1, however the police surrounded his home 10 minutes later. “I think the only reason for that is because I supported Levon Ter-Petrosian,” told “A1+ Sargis Hatspanian. Police surrounded the house and said that Sargis Hatspanian has an illegal status in Armenia and must be exiled.

Here are just few questions need to be asked:

Is there any law in Armenia which prohibits foreign citizens from peaceful participation in political life and actions, or from expressing their political views?

Could this be considered a warning to the Diaspora to stay away from the internal politics of Armenia?

If he got relieved of Armenian residency by a decree or executive order of the former president Kocharyan, why he was allowed to enter the country via Yerevan international airport, without any problems?

Was ex-president Kocharyan’s decree - or whatever it was - lawful, as according to Armenia’s human rights Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan, a person cannot be deprived of residency (or deported) if he has underage children under his care?

That Kocharian signed a relevant executive order shortly before he left office was confirmed by officials at President Serzh Sarkisian’s administration. Under Armenian law, such orders take effect only after the official notification of individuals affected by them. “I am absolutely not aware of that decision,” insisted Hatspanian. He said he has left and returned to Armenia since March and had no problems with immigration authorities. “I flew back to Yerevan as recently as on the night from October 6 to 7. They told me nothing at the airport,” he said. Armen Harutiunian, Armenia’s human rights ombudsman, said he is dealing with the case and already has questions to the authorities. “His residency permit was revoked by the president but he still managed to re-enter Armenia,” Harutiunian told RFE/RL. “If that is confirmed, we need to clarify how he entered the country without having the right to live there.” Harutiunian added that under Armenian law, the authorities can not kick out Hatspanian because he has underage children in the country.

Sadly, as Sarkis put it in his diary (which I posted on Unzipped in the immediate aftermath of 1 March events), “this year spring did not come to Armenia.”


To read full post with Sargis Hatspanian's diary (eyewitness account of 1 March events in Liberty sq) - click here.

Below is a video via A1+. Plainclothed police officers could be seen at the Hatspanian’s apartment door. One of them told RFE/RL that they will stay there “until Mr. Sarkis comes out.”



*photo of Sargis Hatspanian - by Onnik Krikorian/Oneworld Multimedia 2008

Picture of The Day

*photo via Zhamanak

... a consequence of this (Liberty sq... cordoned off)

Liberty sq... cordoned off

Do not expect here any rally any time soon. The reason - construction works started to build up a kind of underground garage system under the Liberty sq.

Surrounding cafes have not been affected.

Armenian government's 'amusement park'

Question: How to prevent opposition rallies in Liberty square, Yerevan, Armenia?

Answer: To set up a 'children's park' there.


To avoid 'children sensitivities', the Armenia's opposition will hold its rally in front of Matenadaran, an ancient manuscript depository in central Yerevan, this coming Friday 20 June, 6 pm.

Despite their pledge to restore basic freedoms and democracy in Armenia after 1 March events in Yerevan, the Armenian authorities did not authorise this rally and so far have not made any significant progress in meeting European obligations and demands.

In the meantime, a group of bloggers and activists signed an open letter to the people of Armenia, government and international organisations.

An Open Letter to the People of Armenia, the Government of Armenia , and International Organizations

(via Tzitzernak)

Very soon, every citizen of Armenia will be making a decision. Each citizen will have to decide whether he or she will be venturing out to join others in front of the Matenadaran, to participate in the first large rally organized by the Opposition since the events of March 1.

Events leading up to the February 19th presidential elections, including repressions of speech and media and flagrant abuses of power during and after the voting itself, made fair elections impossible and resulted in a falsified outcome. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered, day and night, in Liberty Square to peacefully protest the official outcome. On the night of March 1st, the government of Armenia used lethal force against its own people, for which there can be no justification. Since then, Armenia has been through an unfounded State of Emergency, with a smokescreen of changes afterwards meant only to appease critics from the international community. No real changes have been instituted to restore the rights and freedoms that belong to every man, woman, and child in Armenia, who have these rights and freedoms not because they are citizens of Armenia, but because they are. And, simply stated, no article or amendment can take away those rights and freedoms.

On June 20, every citizen of Armenia will have to make that important and difficult decision. Difficult, because the present government has already proven that it considers power an end in itself, and that the use of any means is justifiable to that end.

We, the undersigned, support the people of Armenia in their rights and freedoms, in their right to gather to voice discontent in a peaceful manner against a government which has shown only disdain for its citizens.

We demand that the Government of Armenia restore those rights and freedoms to her people.

We urge those international organizations involved in promoting human, political and civil rights to be true to their principles, to not be distracted by false attempts at change, and to help ensure the rights and freedoms that belong to the people of Armenia.

A. Manoukyan [aramazd.livejournal.com]
H. Nazarian [hnazarian.blogspot.com]
HIMA Youth Movement [himaam.info]
Penelope Morrison
Save Armenia Action Group [SAAG]
BeautySavesWorld [YouTube]
Manet Manukyan, daughter of political prisoner Ashot Manukyan, head of Lori ANM
[YouTube zzz13423]
John Lowe, former United States Peace Corps Volunteer, Democracy and Development, Vanadzor
Tzitzernak [tzitzernak.blogspot.com]
Haik [payqar.org]
Hasmik Harutyunyan [former diplomat of the Republic of Armenia]
IHAVETHERIGHTS [youtube]
Armenaker Kameleon [armenaker.blogspot.com]

Important days for Armenia's political calendar in June

5 June - session of Armenian parliament where pro-Kocharyan (former Armenian president) circles plan to grill Armenian Human Rights Ombudsman over his highly critical to government report on 1 March violent crackdown on opposition movement following disputed presidential election in Armenia. Few days ago, Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General blast Ombudsman's report.

20 June - Armenian opposition movement led by former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan plans holding a rally in central Yerevan, Liberty sq. Opposition warns the authorities that regardless their approval rally will go ahead. It is aimed to coincide with the deadline set by Council of Europe for meeting PACE demands. I hope the authorities will be wise enough not to interfere and formally allow the rally. Special representatives of the Council of Europe will be in Yerevan in mid-June to monitor the progress (if any) in meeting Armenia's European obligations.

'Un-hate a Turk Today'

24 April 1969

Always unconventional, Armenian American artist Onnig Kardash, staged a protest/performance on April 24, 1969 in front of the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood. The action seemed to underscore the need for love in the face of hate.

April 24 is the traditional day to commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide, Kardash’s protest shocked many Armenian Americans who were angry and confused at the radical protest on such a solemn day.

Art critic Neery Melkonian noted:

“..[it} rejected the [Armenian American] culture’s collective identity as a victim.”

*source - Hrag Vartanian

23 April 2008


Even before today, thousands of young Armenians affiliated with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation — Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) assembled in Yerevan’s Liberty Square before embarking on a now traditional candlelight procession to the memorial overlooking the capital. Of course, this being the most nationalist of commemorative events, the Turkish flag was doused in petrol and set alight first. Interestingly, but not convincingly at all, Armenian Public Radio reports that the organizers deny such an act is ever planned:

“We do not plan to burn the Turkish flag and do not spread hatred, it was the initiative of the participants”.

* source: The Caucasian Knot

Liberty sq on Remembrance Day of the Armenian Genocide

I received this letter around 2pm Yerevan time from a reader of this blog B.T.

"Here is a bit of info on what is now happening at Freedom Square [Liberty sq]:

On Remembrance Day of Armenia’s genocide, as usual I was out on my daily constitutional, and as usual I walked through Armenia’s Freedom Square. The evening before, I had joined the younger generation when they gathered in their thousands at the square with their bottled candles and I saw how they left the square on a march to the Genocide memorial. So I was not surprised to see that the square was full of busses, I assumed waiting for those youngsters who had spent the night at the memorial.

I should have realized that I was wrong when I saw the squads of police officers surrounding the opera, batons in hand. No the busses had not brought mourners to the square they had brought the police officers and their anti-democracy riot gear. And rather than as usual being parked along the roads surrounding the square, the busses were parked right on the middle of Freedom Square, no doubt to hinder the masses that were due to gather at 3.00 pm to remember those who had lost their lives in the genocide of 1915. Our post State-of-Emergency authorities were seemingly concerned that yet another anti-government rally might develop – and I would say they had every cause to be concerned."

The information he provided is confirmed also by A1+:

՚Ազատությանՙ հրապարակն այսօր առավոտից շրջապատված է ոստիկանության աշխատակիցներով, որոնք խմբերով կանգնած են մայթերին ու հսկում են անցուդարձը: ՚Ազատությանՙ հրապարակի անմիջապես մեջտեղում տեղակայվել են ոստիկանության ավտոբուսներ ու մեքենաներ:

Նշենք, որ այսօր ընդդիմության ներկայացուցիչներն ՚Ազատությանՙ հրապարակից ժամը 15.00- ին պետք է շարժվեն դեպի 1915թ. ցեղասպանության զոհերի հիշատակը հավերժացնող հուշահամալիր՝ ծաղկեպսակներ դնելու:

Հետաքրքրվեցինք ոստիկաններից, թե ինչո՞ւ են այսօր հավաքվել ՚Ազատությանՙ հրապարակում եւ ինչո՞ւ են այսքան շատ՝ որեւէ իրադարձությո՞ւն է սպասվում: Ոստիկաններից մեկը հումորով նկատեց, թե` ՚ոչ մի բան էլ չի նախատեսվում, այնպես որ հանգիստ կարող եք շրջել տարածքումՙ: Մեկ այլ ոստիկան էլ, մեզ խորհուրդ տվեց. ՚Ժամը 15:00-ի սահմաններում չերեւաք այստեղ, այդպես լավ կլինիՙ:

Ի դեպ, մեր ունեցած տեղեկություններվ, այսօր ոստիկանության հիվանդանոցում աշխատակիցները զգուշացվել են լինել ավելի զգոն եւ կազմակերպված, ծանրաբեռնված ռեժիմով աշխատելու պատրաստ:






*source of photos - A1+

Sargis Hatspanian: “This year spring did not come to Armenia” (eyewitness account - 1 March, Liberty sq, Yerevan)

I received Sargis Hatspanian diary via email from a reader of this blog. I was assured and various signs suggest that this diary is genuine and does belong to Sargis. In there he describes his ordeal and provides detailed eyewitness account of police violent crackdown on peaceful protesters - many of them still asleep in their tents - early morning 1 March in Liberty sq.

Sargis Hatspanian was born in Turkey. He is a French citizen and has been living in Armenia since the early 90s. He is a Karabakh war veteran. He voiced his support for Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and has been an active participant of opposition movement evolved in Yerevan Liberty sq.

On 27 February 2008 police representatives tried to take him to a police station for questioning, supposedly for “for his interference in Armenia’s political life”. However, their attempt was unsuccessful due to intervention by opposition and human rights activists, as well as his refusal based on foreign citizenship. Noyan Tapan reports that “he made a speech in front of the supporters of Levon Ter-Petrosian and participants of opposition movement gathered in Liberty sq before that and introduced his motivations for joining the movement. He also stated that he has become aware of the fact that the RA Police has planed his detention. In this respect Sargis Hatspanian declared that he "was put into prison in France, Germany, Turkey" for his position devoted to his nation "and is now ready to be put to prison for the same position in Armenia as well."

As Sargis Hatspanian mentioned in “Introduction”, his actual diaries chronicling daily events in Liberty sq (20 February – 1 March) were lost/burnt down or got confiscated by police during the dispersal. In this new diary written on 5 March 2008, he describes police brutality in such an emotional way that only a person been there could express, and only a person who is devoted to his motherland could express.

What makes this eyewitness account remarkable is not just persona of Sargis Hatspanian, Karabakh war veteran and well known public figure in Armenia and Diaspora, but the readiness expressed by the author to testify before an independent inquiry (if that ever happens).

He is in hiding now.

I am publishing below those pages from his diary which relate directly to the early morning events of 1 March 2008, Liberty sq, Yerevan. Diary is handwritten in Armenian. Click on pages to read (English titles of pages – mine, based on their content).

Page 1 – “Intro”



Page 11 – “Alarming call and disbelief”



Page 12 – “Wake-up, Sargis…”



Pages 13, 14 – “Police brutality” – “Ready to testify”



Pages 15, 16 – “I thought Ter-Petrosyan was killed” – “The end”



Page 17, last page – “This year spring did not come to Armenia”



*photo of Sargis Hatspanian - by Onnik Krikorian/Oneworld Multimedia 2008

'Sensations' of the day: Prosecutor General ‘joins’ popular/political walks in Yerevan, and there were no detained today

'Sensation No. 1': For the first time since the start of “popular walks”, there were no detained today. Perhaps, the reason for that was 'Sensation No. 2': Aghvan Hovsepyan, Prosecutor General of Armenia, ‘joined’ “popular walks” today. Well, he was seen there.

“I born in 1953, and, believe me, I walked in this city more than you,” – justified his presence in the Northern Avenue Aghvan Hovsepyan, A1+ reports. “Why, is walking prohibited? I am going home from work. Don’t I have a right to walk?”

Ironically, that’s exactly the type of questions that hundreds of people, including dozens detained during the “walks” (all later released), ask too.

*photo by A1+

Military parade in Yerevan confirmed - no, it's not a bad joke!

The news that Armenian authorities decided to stage a ‘military parade’ in Yerevan on 9 April may have seemed unbelievable - no one in his rational mind would have even thought about such possibility after what happened in Yerevan.

But this was confirmed yesterday by Seyran Shahsuvaryan, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence. He also states that no tanks will be seen during the parade, only soldiers, as if it makes the whole idea looking more acceptable.

And to confirm this news further, InfoArmenia publishes today a copy of decree on ‘military parade’ by Defence Minister (below). Interestingly, this decree was signed on the last day of ‘state of emergency’ - 20 March 2008.

Everything is wrong with this so called ‘military parade’. The idea is wrong, the place is wrong, the day is wrong. I am not discussing here the legitimacy of Serj Sargsyan presidency, let’s put that issue on side for a moment. But parade? Military parade? In Liberty sq? (which is completely inappropriate place for holding military parades under any circumstances). But come on, Armenian authorities. Do you really have much to celebrate after what you did on 1 March? I’d love to know who is the ‘beautiful mind’ behind that idea. Actually, that does not even matter now. How cynical one may be to stage a parade on the 40th day of government crackdown on opposition movement which left 8 people dead (by Armenian tradition on the 40th day the souls of the deceased are remembered). OK, the day of ‘inauguration’ coincides with that tragic date, and the authorities have to go with it ‘according to the law’. But can’t they show just a bit of modesty and tact? Can’t they see the whole inappropriateness of the ‘military parade’ thing and the ridiculousness which they put themselves in? Unbelievable!

Special blog and ‘draft legislation’ for all things 'walking'

Announcement on “daily walks”, or “political walks”, or “popular walks”, as some may call it, came out on Sunday, 23 March 2008. Since then “daily walks” around Liberty sq - which is ‘sieged’ by police - are being organised as an act of defiance against the limitations of civil liberties imposed by Armenian government.

Today it was a chess playing day (photo via A1+).


Tomorrow (26 March 2008) organisers ask people to gather with books and newspapers and from 6.30 pm start reading out loud for 15 mins their favourite passage, taking turns. Excellent idea. Loving it.

Գրքաթերթություն
Ժողովրդական զբոսանքների շրջանակներում սույն թվականի մարտի 26-ը հայտարարվում է գրքաթերթության օր: Գրքաթերթության մասնակիցները իրենց հետ բերում են կամ գիրք, կամ էլ թերթ և ժամը 18.30 ուղիղ շարքով կանգնում են Հյուսիսային պողոտայի երկայնքով ու սկսում 15 րոպեի ընթացքում բարձրաձայն կարդալ իրենց գիրքը կամ թերթը: Շարքը ձգվում է այնքան, որքան թույլ կտա մասնակիցների քանակը: Փաստորեն`Ժամը 18.30, 15 րոպեով: Գրքաթերթության վերջում մասնակիցները կարող են իրենց գիրքը կամ թերթը նվիրել իրավապահ մարմիններին, որպեսզի նրանք էլ տեղյակ լինեն, թե ինչ է իրականում տեղի ունենում Հայաստանում և մի օր հանկարծակիի չգան :)

A special blog is set up today dedicated to all things 'walking':

http://zbosanq.blogspot.com/

There you may read a 'draft proposal' of legislation regulating “Popular walks” (below, in Armenian). I am telling you - this is just fantastic. You have to read it! :) Creativity without limits!

Նախագիծ
Սույն օրենքը կարգավորում է ժողովրդական զբոսանքի հետ կապված հարաբերությունները:

Հոդված 1. Օրենքում օգտագործված հիմնական հասկացությունների սահմանումը
Ժողովրդական զբոսանք՝ մարդկանց տեղաշարժվելը մի վայրից դեպի մեկ այլ վայր:

Հոդված 2. Ընդհանուր դրույթներ
Ժողովուրդն իրավունք ունի զբոսնելու միայն սույն օրենքով նախատեսված դեպքերում:
Միջազգային իրավական ակտերը, այդ թվում՝ Մարդու իրավունքների համընդհանուր հռչակագիրը մասամբ կարող են գործել միայն օտարեկրյա քաղաքացիների, այդ թվում՝ Հայաստանում դիվանագիտական առաքելություն կատարող օտարերկրյա դիվանագետների, դիտորդների համար:
Զբոսանքի վայրը, զբոսանքի ելակետից հեռանալու առավելագույն շառավիղը, քայլելու ուղղությունը, ինչպես նաեւ զբոսանքին հատկացված ժամը ՀՀ վարչապետի ներկայացմամբ հաստատում է ՀՀ նախագահը:
Ժողովրդի զբոսանքի ժամանակ ՀՀ սահմանադրական կարգի պահպանման անվտանգությունն ապահովվում են ՀՀ Ոստիկանությունը եւ ՀՀ Ազգային անվտանգության ծառայությունը, իսկ զանգվածային զբոսանքների ընթացքում՝ նաեւ ՀՀ զինված ուժերը:
Սույն օրենքը կարող է ՀՀ ազգային ժողովի արտահերթ գիշերային նիստով տարածվել նաեւ ապրիլի 9-ի, ապրիլի 24-ի եւ զանգվածային այլ միջոցառումների վրա:

Հոդված 3. Զբոսանքի անցկացման կանոնակարգը
Զբոսանքին պետք է ներկայանալ միայնակ:
Զբոսանքի պետք է ներկայանալ միայն անձնագրով: Անձնագրի վավերականության ժամկետը պետք է երեք ամսով գերազանցի զբոսանքին մասնակցելու ժամկետը:
Երկու հոգով զբոսնելիս ՀՀ քաղաքացիները պետք է մոտներն ունենան եւ ՀՀ Ոստիկանության աշխատակցի պահանջով ներկայացնեն.
ա. ամուսնական զույգի դեպքում՝ ամուսնության վկայական, որը հաստատում է զբոսնող զույգի օրինական ամուսնական կարգավիճակը
բ. արտաամուսնական զույգի դեպքում՝ տեղեկանք ամուսնուց (կամ կնոջից)
գ. ոչ ամուսնական կապ ունեցող երկու անձանց զբոսնելու կանոնակարգը սահմանում է սպորտի, մշակույթի եւ երիտասարդության ոլորտի պետական լիազոր մարմինը:

Հոդված 4. Զբոսանքի լուսաբանումը
Չի թույլատրվում զբոսանքի ներկայանալ տեսանկարահանող կամ ձայնագրող սարքերով:
Զբոսանքի լուսաբանում լիազորված է կատարելու է միայն Հանրային Հեռուստաընկերությունը: Այլ հեռուստաընկերությունները եւ լրատվական միջոցները պետք է անփոփոխ սփռեն միայն Հանրային Հեռուստաընկերության տրամադրած նյութերը:

Հոդված 5.Զբոսանքի սահմանափակումներ
Արգելվում է զբոսնելիս որեւէ ձեւով հաղորդակցվել այլ զբոսնողների հետ, այդ թվում՝ բարեւել, ժպտալ, աչքով անել, հարց տալ, պատասխանել, զրուցել, քննարկել:
Արգելվում է զբոսնելիս ձեռքում պահած ունենալ նկարներ, կոչեր, զույգ թվով ծաղիկներ, մոմեր եւ ՀՀ սահմանադրական կարգը խախտելուն միտված այլ պարագաներ:
Զբոսնելիս արգելվում է կանգ առնել ավելի, քան հինգ րոպեի ընթացքում:
Զբոսնելիս արգելվում է օգտվել սրճարանների եւ հանգստի ու զվարճանքի այլ վայրերի տրամադրած ծառայություններից օգտվել ավելի, քան տաս րոպեի ընթացքում:

Հոդված 6. Օրենքի ուժի մեջ մտնելը
Օրենքը ուժի մեջ է մտնում սկսած հրապարակման հաջորդ օրվանից:

To regain our “Right to walk”: “Authorities continue detention of our symbol of freedom – Liberty sq”

‘Daily walks’ - from 6pm, Yerevan, Liberty sq

Statement by “National awakening” coalition of NGOs
(in Armenian)


ՀԱՅՏԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ

Մարտ 23, 2008

Հարգելի հայրենակիցներ,

Մարտի 21-ին մենք նախատեսել էինք մոմավառություն անցկացնել Ազատության հրապարակում ի հիշատակ վարչախմբի կողմից սանձազերծված մարտիմեկյան բռնությունների զոհերի։ Սակայն իշխանությունները նորից ցույց տվեցին իրենց դեմքը։ Ժողովրդի փորձերը նշել այդ օր որպես ազգային սգո օր /մի բան, որ հանցանք գործած իշխանությունը անամոթաբար հրաժարվեց անել/ խափանվեցին բազմահազար ոսիկանական զորքի կողմից։

Այսուհետ պարզ է, որ իշխանությունները իրականում չեն հանել արտակարգ դրությունը եւ շարունակում են կապանքի տակ պահել մեր ազատության խորհրդանիշը՝ Ազատության հրապարակը։ Որպես մեր երկրում ազատության եւ ժողովրդավարության վերականգնման առաջին քայլ մենք պետք է վերականգնենք մեր սիրված հրապարակը ազատորեն այցելելու եւ այնտեղ զբոսնելու մեր իրավունքը։

Մենք միանում ենք ժողովրդի որոշմանը ամեն օր ժամը 18.00-ից սկսած ժողովրդական զբոսանք անցկացնել Ազատության հրապարակում, որտեղ հնարավոր կլինի հանդիպել նաեւ ժողովրդականություն վայելող քաղաքական գործիչների, որոնց առջեւ փակված են վարչախմբին սպասարկող հեռուստատեսությունների դռները։

Թող վարչախումբը նորից ոստիկաններով փակի մեր հրապարակը, մենք կգանք մյուս օրը։ Սակայն մենք ամբողջ աշխարհին կապացուցենք, որ այս իշխանությունները միակ հենքը՝ սվիններն են։ Մենք ավելի համառ կլինենք մեր խաղաղ ճնշման իրականացման մեջ, քան ռեպրեսիվ մեքենան իր անպտուղ զորաշարժերով եւ բռնի գործողություններով։ Իրականացնելով մեր հրապարակներում զբոսնելու իրավունքր, որն արգելված չէ անգամ իշխող ռեժիմի կողմից վերջերս ընդունված հակասահմանադրական օրենքներով, մենք հերթական կարեւոր քայլը կանենք մեր ազատությունների վերականգնման ճանապարհին:

«Ազգային զարթոնք» հասարակական կազմակերպությունների միություն

*photo - via Zhamanak newspaper