Armenian cultural workers slam government violence towards peaceful demonstrators, demand new parliamentary elections, independent investigation, release of political prisoners and reforms in Public TV
We are used to conformity of Armenian mainstream cultural workers. Conformity to authorities and status quo. They do not normally air their voice to protest injustices in our society, lack of democracy, human rights violations etc. They are normally out there to be used during pre-election periods and then carry on with their unexceptional existence.
But there are exceptions too. After pretty long silence over recent events in Yerevan, not only some of them started voicing their dismay over government’s handling of the situation, but also offered solutions as a way out of this crisis.
First it was Ruben Hakhverdyan. Now joined with few colleagues, well known and respected representatives of Armenain cultural scene, they signed an open letter to prime minister Serj Sargsyan protesting violent dispersion by the government of peaceful demonstrations and suggesting practical steps which they believe could defuse current political crisis in Armenia.
In an open letter, Armenia’s cultural workers stressed that despite the history of election fraud since 1996, this was the first time that the state was responsible for a bloodshed of civilians. Ironically, this happened when Armenians were marking 20th anniversary of Karabakh movement. Instead, as cultural representatives described, it was marked by “sumgaitisation of Yerevan.”
They urge prime minister (‘president-elect’) Serj Sargsyan to call new parliamentary elections. The formation of coalition government will not solve the problem as substantial portion of our society is not represented in the parliament due to previous fraudulent elections. “Only your political will could ensure new and really clean parliamentary elections.” However, it must be noted that during his most recent Q&A Serj Sargsyan rejected the idea of new parliamentary elections. Personally, I am not convinced that parliamentary elections could be enough and acceptable for all sides to defuse the situation, as there are more fundamental problems need to be solved. However, I welcome this initiative of cultural workers to offer practical solutions as a way out of the crisis. This is a position which could be debated and considered as a part of political dialogue, if happens.
Next point is a formation of independent parliamentary commission by new parliament to investigate events of March 1, as well as other instances of political killings and major economic offences during Armenia’s recent history.
They also demand an immediate release of political prisoners.
Armenian cultural workers point out the urgency of reforms within the Public TV Board to ensure pluralism of opinions and media freedom.
***
Բաց նամակ ՀՀ վարչապետ Սերժ Սարգսյանին
Հարգելի պարոն Սարգսյան:
Փետրվարի 19 ընտրությունները հերթական անգամ ստեղծեցին մեր երկրում բռնության, անհանդուրժողականության, անվստահության մթնոլորտ, խորացնելով ժողովրդի եւ իշխանության միջեւ առաջացած ճեղքը, բեւեռացնելով եւ բաժանելով հասարակությունը:
Մենք չենք մոռացել, որ այս չարիքը սկվեց դեռեւս 1996 թվականի սեպտեմբերից, երբ կեղծիքով եւ ուժով իր պաշտոնն եր փորձում պահպանել Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը: Մենք չենք մոռացել նաեւ հետագա խորհրդարանական եւ նախագահական բոլոր ընտրությունները զուգորթող անօրինականության ու բռնության դրսեվորումները: Սակայն վերջին իրադարձությունները գերազանցել են այդ դառը փորձի բոլոր նախադեպերը: Առաջին անգամ մայրաքաղաքի փողոցներում Հայոց պետությունը թափեց սեփական քաղաքացիների արյունը: Արցախյան շարժման քսանամյակի օրերին կատարվեց Երեւանի ՙսումգաիտացումը՚:
Մենք դատավոր չենք, որ մատնանշենք մեղավորներին, սակայն մշակույթի գործիչները միշտ պարտավոր են պաշտպանել զոհերին, աջակցել թույլերին, նեցուկ լինել վիրավորներին: Խաղաղ ցույցերի բռնի ճնշումը եւ մահակներով վտարումը հրապարակից դեպի քաղաքի փողոցներ անխուսափելիորեն բերելու եր բախումների եւ նման որոշումը կամ գիտակցված սադրանք եր կամ առնվազն կոպիտ ու անթույլատրելի սխալ իշխանության կողմից: Զինված ուժերի օգտագործումը խաղաղ բնակչության դեմ սեփական երկրում անդառնալի հետեւանքներ է ունենալու մեր փոքր երկրի ու ժողովրդի համար:
Պարոն վարչապետ, Դուք, որպես ԿԸՀ կողմից հաստատված նորընտիր Նախագահ դեռեւս կարող եք կանգնեցնել հասունացող քաղաքական եւ սոցիալական ճգնաժամը: Մենք առաջարկում ենք անհապաղ միջոցների չորս կետ, որ մեր համոզմամբ կարող են շտկել իրավիճակն ու մեղմել կրքերը: Դրանք են.
Ա. Արտահերթ խորհրդարանական ընտրությունների անցկացումը: Կոալիցիոն կառավարության հնչեցրած գաղափարը չի կարող լուծել խնդիրը, քանի դեռ հասարակության մի ստվար զանգվածը դուրս է մղված Ազգային ժողովից դեպի Թատերական հրապարակ ԱԺ նախորդ կեղծված ընտրությունների հետեւանքով: Միայն Ձեր քաղաքական կամքը կարող է ապահովել Ազգային Ժողովի նոր եւ իսկապես մաքուր ընտրությունները:
Բ. Նորընտիր խորհրդարանում անկախ հանձնաժողովի ստեղծում 2008թ. մարտի 1,1999 թ. հոկտեմբերի 27 դեպքերի,1990-ական թթ. քաղաքական սպանությունների եւ տնտեսական խոշոր հանցագործությունների հետաքննության լայն լիազորություններով:
Գ. Քաղաքական բանտարկյալների անհապաղ ազատում:
Դ. Հանրային հեռուստատեսության խորհրդի փոփոխություն եւ համալրում հասարակական հեղինակություն ու հարգանք վայելող եւ բազմակարծությունն ապահովող մարդկանցով, ովքեր կերաշխավորեն ազատ ու ճշմարիտ տեղեկատվության սահմանադրական իրավունքը:
Հարգանքով` Տիգրան Խզմալյան,կինոռեժիսոր
Ռուբեն Հախվերդյան, երգահան
Արամ Թալալյան, թավջութակահար
Վահագն Ստամբոլցյան, երգեհոնահար
Գագիկ Գինոսյան,ազգագրագետ,ազատամարտիկ
Հայտարարությունը բաց է
*Thanks to S.H.
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Monday, 17 March 2008
Armenia: Moving Forward?
On 5 March Armenia’s first president and leader of opposition movement Levon Ter-Petrosyan - who is effectively under ‘house arrest’ now - wrote an opinion piece for Washington Post - "Silence on Armenia".
Today it was a turn for prime-minister (‘president-elect’) Serj Sargsyan and his newly formed coalition partner, a former speaker of Armenian parliament, head of Orinats Yerkir party, and finally, the most famous fake oppositionist in Armenia Arthur Baghdasaryan. I provide a copy of their opinion piece (in full) titled “Moving Forward in Armenia” below. But before, some of my initial thoughts after reading it, directed to the authors.
You mention that “We have until Thursday, when the state of emergency is lifted, to find political solutions and ensure that Armenia does not slide back into chaos.” Honestly, I can’t see that government is engaged in finding a political solution. You can’t find a political solution by prosecuting your opponents for political reasons, shutting down independent and pro-opposition media, restricting civil liberties.
Yes, cooperation is a way forward, but not only with your own protégés (read Arthur Baghdasaryan & co). “The political alliance we have created, between the president-elect and the Rule of Law Party, is an effort to do things democratically and through compromise. Between us, we represent 70 percent of the votes of the Armenian people.” First, you do not represent 70% of votes, no sensible person trusts in fairness of presidential election. Of course, neither Ter-Petrosyan represents 65% of votes, as he claimed. On the other hand, votes given for Arthur Baghdasaryan were from people who voted for opposition to current government, and not for its protégé. Therefore, Arthur Baghdasaryan no longer represents people who voted for him, at least substantial proportion of them.
Consequently, this new, as you put it, “grand coalition” WILL NOT “guarantee that the people's will is reflected.”
You are making good points on “political dialogue”, that “Only a government with wide popular support, not one created through street violence, can successfully resolve these problems” - who would argue? But these are just words, without any actions which would substantiate your claims. People are tired of empty words. They do not trust words. It is a different society you are dealing with now. Sooner you understand it, the better it will be for Armenia.
What you need to do now is to read today’s declaration of Heritage party which provides clues for Armenia to move forward, for real.
*source of photo: Photolur, via A1+
Moving Forward In Armenia
By Serzh Sargsyan and Arthur Baghdasaryan
Monday, March 17, 2008
Washington Post
Armenia's reputation as a stable, democratic country in a troubled region has taken a battering recently. Although international observers gave an overall positive rating to the conduct of last month's presidential election, opposition forces took to the streets, seeking to overturn the people's will. Riots and armed demonstrations left more than 100 injured. Tragically, seven protesters and one police officer died.
Public faith in our economy and political institutions has been undermined. Simply put, we had a competitive election. Dragging this crisis on, literally through the streets, only hurts Armenia. For almost a decade -- since then-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan resigned -- our country has avoided civil uproars and armed violence, allowing for a period of internationally recognized democratic and socioeconomic progress.
But after he lost his bid to reclaim the presidency in February, Ter-Petrosyan resorted to a dangerous and profoundly undemocratic form of populism. He radicalized a part of the opposition and guided it into a standoff with the state, which led to the March 1 riots in which armed demonstrators confronted police. It was clear to all moderate political forces -- pro-government or supporters of the opposition -- that declaring a state of emergency was the only possible option to protect our citizens. We have until Thursday, when the state of emergency is lifted, to find political solutions and ensure that Armenia does not slide back into chaos.
The two of us were competitors in the presidential election. But we are united in our desire to end the current crisis and put Armenia back on track. Cooperation is the way forward.
The political alliance we have created, between the president-elect and the Rule of Law Party, is an effort to do things democratically and through compromise. Between us, we represent 70 percent of the votes of the Armenian people. This is a serious and solid mandate. On this basis, we will pursue ambitious but realistic reforms that will strengthen our democracy and our nation's socioeconomic progress. In this moment of crisis, we have agreed to assume responsibility for joint governance.
This form of government has not been imposed upon Armenia; we have chosen it as the best way forward. This new, grand coalition will guarantee that the people's will is reflected.
We insist, however, that continued progress is possible only through dialogue and reform. Violence has no place in democracy. Therefore, we ask those who are still promoting instability on the streets to join us in political dialogue and to help us guide our country toward prosperity.
Armenia faces a series of external challenges that we hope to address. First among them is the long-standing conflict over who should control the Nagorno-Karabakh region between our country and Azerbaijan; second is the normalization of relations with Turkey. Only a government with wide popular support, not one created through street violence, can successfully resolve these problems. We will also continue to ask the international community to recognize the Armenian genocide, though this issue should not prevent us from moving forward.
We do not assume that all of our country's ills will be solved through a coalition government. And we will certainly address the expectations of the several thousands of voters who are dissatisfied; we must do so to build consensus. But we must also recognize the expectations of the many more thousands of voters who chose the government that is in power. We will do our utmost to restore public trust in the electoral process and to unite the nation again.
Our priority is to run a transparent government and have a clear agenda, which we will announce. We will fight corruption head-on. We are confident that with the world's help, reason and responsibility will regain the upper hand in Armenia. We have no time to waste -- there is a lot of work to do. Despite recent events, our country is still moving forward. The international community has everything to gain through supporting a stable, transparent and elected government in Armenia.
Heritage Party Declaration on Armenia's Past, Present, and Future
17 March 2008
For Immediate Release
*For Armenian version - see comments section (below)
Now more than ever, as the schism between the Armenian people and its government continues to expand, the Heritage Party calls for a national rehabilitation process. Such a process, if it is to be meaningful and permanent, must proceed not in spite but in full and brave recognition of the events that have unfurled in our Republic over the past few months.
February 19, election day, was the evident disregard of the national will, but we must bear in mind that the campaigns that preceded it and the human rights violations that followed it are part and parcel of that disregard. The campaigns were inherently unequal in terms of media access and fairness of coverage, the misuse of administrative levers, and the endemic application of the means of state for partisan advantage. At times votes were purchased, at others they were forced.
The elections, therefore, were prejudiced before they were held. But even on election day, substantial and systemic violations were recorded across the Republic, with grave implications for the qualitative integrity of the electoral process and the quantitative reflection of its true results. This does not happen under democratic governments.
Nor do democratic governments use force to suppress their own citizens. In Armenia's case, hundreds of thousands of Armenians gathered in Liberty Square peacefully to protest the conduct and official count of the vote. That the number of protesters grew and doubtless triggered an unpredictable concern among the authorities was no validation for suppressing them. And yet on March 1, the incumbent president of Armenia declared an effectively unlawful state of emergency. This meant, in breach of every national and international norm of civil and political liberty and of common democratic ethics, that there would be no free speech and assembly, no free media, and no political pamphlets that the government did not approve.
Against this background, sadly so reminiscent of the Soviet era, international broadcasters, when beginning to report on Armenia, would be interrupted by darkness or by advertisements. Websites were blocked and radio stations kicked off the air, all in an effort to keep the Armenian people ignorant of the actions of their own government and the world beyond.
And now to the actions. On the morning of March 1, and deep into the night of the same day, the authorities began a systematic crackdown upon their fellow citizens, unleashing professional provocateurs to stir up the crowds and giving themselves and others an excuse for violence. Freedom was squelched, seven civilians and a police officer were killed, hundreds were injured, and all were deprived of their fundamental human rights. But for the forcible dispersal of Liberty Square in the early morning, the tragedy of that night would not have befallen the nation.
Deprived of their voice, the protesters began to lose their leaders. On a daily basis, security personnel including masked men wearing various uniforms took away or arrested opposition figures and rank-and-file participants and proceeded to indict them on various creative charges up to organizing a coup d'etat. Four members of Parliament who had dared to endorse the opposition candidate were stripped of their immunity and also charged. The intent of the special operation and ensuing state of emergency was simple: to attempt to drive the Armenian people into fear and to warn the Constitutional Court against any fantasies of reaching an independent verdict. The brute tactics worked and the authorities, once again, upheld in court the elections they wanted on February 19.
Today emergency rule continues in force, citizens remain in jail often with restricted access to attorneys, and the media—the role of which it is to serve as an informed and informing watchdog against government conduct and corruption—have been pushed into oblivion or complicity. The political arrests and detentions show no sign of abating, and the measures of the Prosecutor General's Office have now extended to interrogating Heritage's members of Parliament, immorally attacking their integrity, and announcing the deprivation, however illegal, of their right to visit citizens at their place of incarceration.
The unconscionability displayed on February 19 and the brutality used to protect it on March 1 remain unresolved issues. No state of emergency, accompanied as it is by an aggressive, one-sided "public information" vertical which deepens the public divide rather than healing it, will succeed in securing the collective amnesia of state and society. It must be lifted forthwith.
What the country needs—what the people require and their government can no longer postpone—is a brave, new national discourse. In that discourse the Heritage Party will continue to serve in any capacity which Armenia's citizenry demands, and it will use its every resource to achieve the reconciliation of the body politic with its government, and the government with its past. To that end, Heritage calls for national solidarity, a multi-partisan public project for a dignified dialogue, the release of obviously political detainees, and an immediate plenipotentiary inquiry into the tragedy of March 1—its causes and consequences both—whose just and comprehensive findings might help the recovery of democracy in Armenia.
Only in this way will we, at this most critical hour in modern Armenian history, be able to realize the national transformation that is long overdue but now imperative for the sake of Hayastan and her people's future.
The Heritage Party
17 March 2008
Yerevan
For Immediate Release
*For Armenian version - see comments section (below)
Now more than ever, as the schism between the Armenian people and its government continues to expand, the Heritage Party calls for a national rehabilitation process. Such a process, if it is to be meaningful and permanent, must proceed not in spite but in full and brave recognition of the events that have unfurled in our Republic over the past few months.
February 19, election day, was the evident disregard of the national will, but we must bear in mind that the campaigns that preceded it and the human rights violations that followed it are part and parcel of that disregard. The campaigns were inherently unequal in terms of media access and fairness of coverage, the misuse of administrative levers, and the endemic application of the means of state for partisan advantage. At times votes were purchased, at others they were forced.
The elections, therefore, were prejudiced before they were held. But even on election day, substantial and systemic violations were recorded across the Republic, with grave implications for the qualitative integrity of the electoral process and the quantitative reflection of its true results. This does not happen under democratic governments.
Nor do democratic governments use force to suppress their own citizens. In Armenia's case, hundreds of thousands of Armenians gathered in Liberty Square peacefully to protest the conduct and official count of the vote. That the number of protesters grew and doubtless triggered an unpredictable concern among the authorities was no validation for suppressing them. And yet on March 1, the incumbent president of Armenia declared an effectively unlawful state of emergency. This meant, in breach of every national and international norm of civil and political liberty and of common democratic ethics, that there would be no free speech and assembly, no free media, and no political pamphlets that the government did not approve.
Against this background, sadly so reminiscent of the Soviet era, international broadcasters, when beginning to report on Armenia, would be interrupted by darkness or by advertisements. Websites were blocked and radio stations kicked off the air, all in an effort to keep the Armenian people ignorant of the actions of their own government and the world beyond.
And now to the actions. On the morning of March 1, and deep into the night of the same day, the authorities began a systematic crackdown upon their fellow citizens, unleashing professional provocateurs to stir up the crowds and giving themselves and others an excuse for violence. Freedom was squelched, seven civilians and a police officer were killed, hundreds were injured, and all were deprived of their fundamental human rights. But for the forcible dispersal of Liberty Square in the early morning, the tragedy of that night would not have befallen the nation.
Deprived of their voice, the protesters began to lose their leaders. On a daily basis, security personnel including masked men wearing various uniforms took away or arrested opposition figures and rank-and-file participants and proceeded to indict them on various creative charges up to organizing a coup d'etat. Four members of Parliament who had dared to endorse the opposition candidate were stripped of their immunity and also charged. The intent of the special operation and ensuing state of emergency was simple: to attempt to drive the Armenian people into fear and to warn the Constitutional Court against any fantasies of reaching an independent verdict. The brute tactics worked and the authorities, once again, upheld in court the elections they wanted on February 19.
Today emergency rule continues in force, citizens remain in jail often with restricted access to attorneys, and the media—the role of which it is to serve as an informed and informing watchdog against government conduct and corruption—have been pushed into oblivion or complicity. The political arrests and detentions show no sign of abating, and the measures of the Prosecutor General's Office have now extended to interrogating Heritage's members of Parliament, immorally attacking their integrity, and announcing the deprivation, however illegal, of their right to visit citizens at their place of incarceration.
The unconscionability displayed on February 19 and the brutality used to protect it on March 1 remain unresolved issues. No state of emergency, accompanied as it is by an aggressive, one-sided "public information" vertical which deepens the public divide rather than healing it, will succeed in securing the collective amnesia of state and society. It must be lifted forthwith.
What the country needs—what the people require and their government can no longer postpone—is a brave, new national discourse. In that discourse the Heritage Party will continue to serve in any capacity which Armenia's citizenry demands, and it will use its every resource to achieve the reconciliation of the body politic with its government, and the government with its past. To that end, Heritage calls for national solidarity, a multi-partisan public project for a dignified dialogue, the release of obviously political detainees, and an immediate plenipotentiary inquiry into the tragedy of March 1—its causes and consequences both—whose just and comprehensive findings might help the recovery of democracy in Armenia.
Only in this way will we, at this most critical hour in modern Armenian history, be able to realize the national transformation that is long overdue but now imperative for the sake of Hayastan and her people's future.
The Heritage Party
17 March 2008
Yerevan
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Washington, DC: Vigil For Peace In Armenia & Georgia
Democracy Initiative for Armenia and Georgia is holding a joint Vigil For Peace In Armenia & Georgia on 18 March 2008, Washington, DC.
Below is their announcement:
People are struggling for their civil rights in Yerevan and Tbilisi
-50 peaceful demonstrators killed in Yerevan, Armenia on March 1st, 2008 [Unzipped - official data: 7 civilians, 1 policeman]
-68 hunger strikers in Tbilisi, Georgia
-100s of political prisoners in both countries
…and counting!!!!
Immediate action is needed! Let us do what we can to help them from Washington, DC!
In both Georgia and Armenia the governments have been praised for their democratic achievements by the West, for which they have been given billions of US taxpayer dollars. Democracy activists around the world are organizing to oppose the authoritarian regimes in the South Caucasus. All those concerned about human rights, democracy, peace-building and human lives should join their forces to fight injustices. Democracy is borderless! Solidarity strengthens human rights internationally.
Let's join together to hold a Vigil in Washington, DC on March 18, 2008 at 1PM.
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Time: 1PM
Location: In front of Armenian and Georgian Embassies in Washington, DC.
Armenian NGOs condemn continuing media censorship and point out “unacceptable coverage” by Public TV of Armenia
[…] The most prominent example of such unacceptable coverage was shown by the First Channel of the Public Television of Armenia that not only neglected the clause of the Decree, but also once again broke Article 28 of the RA Law “On Television and Radio”: “The prevalence of a political stance (…) in the programs broadcast by public TV (…) is prohibited.” […]It was expected that the amendment to the Decree on emergency rule will be directed at providing greater freedom in reporting the current developments. Yet with its enforcement on March 14 none of the problems listed above was solved. Moreover, the amendment contains definitions, allowing arbitrary interpretation, in particular, a ban on “(…) publishing or disseminating deliberately false or destabilizing information on state and inner political issues”. Under the conditions of selective law enforcement and illegal actions that the media sphere has encountered lately, this makes the media quite vulnerable.
In this regard we demand that:
- the National Commission on Television and Radio and the Council of Public TV and Radio Company be held accountable for the unacceptable situation in broadcast media;
- the circumstances of illegal censorship, of blocking web-sites be investigated and the implementers and commissioners of these illegal actions be held accountable;
- the subclause 4 of clause 4 of the RA President’s Decree on the state of emergency be reviewed immediately.
At the same time, realizing that the bodies mentioned in this statement as responsible for the existing situation and the grave violations of the rule of law acted within the overall context of the policy of the Armenian authorities, we emphasize not so much the harsh punishment, but rather the legal record of the violations and those responsible for them. The supremacy of law and the legal precedent are particularly important to exclude any future violations of the free expression.
Yerevan Press Club
Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
Media Diversity Institute-Armenia
Internews Media Support NGO
“Asparez” Journalist’s Club
Vanadzor Press Club
Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor Office
Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center
March 14, 2008
*via The Armenian Observer Blog
photo - via RFE/RL
Political persecutions in Armenia continue: more Ter-Petrosyan supporters detained
RFE/RL reports that more supporters of Armenia's first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan have been detained yesterday, overnight and this morning.
According to Ter-Petrosyan representative Armen Khachatryan, as for today, 200 of Levon Ter-Petrosyan supporters have been detained; 85 of them have since been released.
Apparently, mere "protests" by international community do not work - politically motivated detentions in Armenia continue...
According to Ter-Petrosyan representative Armen Khachatryan, as for today, 200 of Levon Ter-Petrosyan supporters have been detained; 85 of them have since been released.
Apparently, mere "protests" by international community do not work - politically motivated detentions in Armenia continue...
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Radio Liberty resumes broadcasts in Armenia
Good news from Yerevan - I just learned that after two weeks of imposed ban, Radio Liberty resumed broadcasts via its normal FM frequency in Yerevan. For the first time during the 'state of emergency', Armenians were able to listen to independent news (main evening programme of Radio Liberty) via normal routes.
Liberty sq
Liberty sq should become a square of joy. Liberty sq is children’s square, in the first instance, and not only because they are free people, as yet, but also because they should always be free. Liberty sq should become a square of all free-minded people. But till then and for that reason, we should attain our freedom and make everyone’s spirit a Liberty sq.
*via Zhamanak
After initial defiance, court ‘agreed’ with 2 month preliminary detention for well-known oppositionist Suren Surenyants
... with a typical allegation of “usurp power”.
(in Armenian, via Zhamanak)
Բռնությունները շարունակվում են
(in Armenian, via Zhamanak)
Բռնությունները շարունակվում են
Մեր տեղեկություններով` «Հանրապետություն» կուսակցության քաղխորհրդի անդամ Սուրեն Սուրենյանցին նոր մեղադրանք է առաջադրվել:
Հիշեցնենք, որ նա ձերբակալվել է փետրվարի 26-ին, իսկ խափանման միջոցը ընտրվել էր կալանքը: Քննչական խումբը դատարանից պահանջել էր խափանման միջոցը սահմանել երկու ամիս, սակայն դատարանը բավարարել էր 20-օրյա ժամկետը: Երկուշաբթի օրը լրանում էր կալանքի ժամկետը եւ պետք է նրան բաց թողնեին, սակայն դատախազության հատուկ քննչական ծառայություն է կանչվում Սուրենյանցի փաստաբան Հովիկ Արսենյանը եւ տեղեկացվում, որ նրա պաշտպանյալի նկատմամբ նոր մեղադրանք է առաջադրվել: Ըստ փաստաբանի` «Առաջադրվել են լրացուցիչ հետեւյալ մեղադրանքները` ՀՀ քրօրի 225 պրիմ հոդվածի նաեւ երկրորդ մասով, 225 հոդվածի առաջին մասով եւ 300 հոդվածի առաջին մասով: Մատչելի լեզվով ասած` սա նշանակում է, որ լինելով ազատազրկման վայրում, Ս.Սուրենյանցը յուրացրել է իշխանությունը, ըստ մեղադրանքի` դա արդեն կատարված փաստ է: Ծանոթանալով Սուրենյանցին եւ մյուս ձերբակալվածներին առաջադրված մեղադրանքի բովանդակությանը` կարելի է եզրակացնել, որ Ազատության հրապարակում ելույթ ունենալը նշանակում է ի սկզբանե նպատակ հետապնդել ապակայունացնել իրավիճակը, իշխանությունը զավթել եւ այդ ելույթների արդյունքում է, որ տեղի է ունեցել մարտի մեկը: Այս ամենը հեքիաթ է, իրավաբանություն ու իրավագիտություն չկա այստեղ», - ասում է փաստաբանը: Ըստ նրա` սա քաղաքական տեռոր է` սանձազերծված մի քանի հոգու կողմից: Ինչ վերաբերում է Սուրենյանցին` Արսենյանի ներկայացմամբ դատարանը գնաց խորհրդակցական սենյակ եւ կես ժամ անց վերադառնալով հայտարարեց, որ քննությունը հետաձգվում է, իսկ օրվա ու ժամի մասին կհայտարարվի լրացուցիչ. «Սա նշանակում է, որ նույնիսկ այս համակարգում գտնվող դատավորներն էլ այլեւս չեն դիմանում առաջադրված աբսուրդ մեղադրանքներին եւ չեն կարողանում որպես կատարող կնիք խփել եւ կալանքի սանկցիա տալ», - եզրակացրեց Հովիկ Արսենյանը:
Բայց, ինչպես ասում են՝ հերթական խորտակված անուրջը: Կեսգիշերին մոտ դատարան է բերվել Սուրեն Սուրենյանցը եւ դատավորը կարող է եւ ինչ-որ բաների վրայից անցնելով, այնուամենայնիվ, կայացրել է այն վճիռը, որը թելադրված է եղել վերեւից՝ երկու ամսվա կալանք:
Levon Ter-Petrosyan: Europe's double standards
*English version
(in Armenian, via Zhamanak)
Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյան. Եվրոպայի երկակի չափորոշիչները
Նախագահության նախկին թեկնածու Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը դժգոհություն է հայտնել եվրոպացի դիտորդների պահվածքից: «Կոմերսանտ» թերթին տված հարցազրույցում նա պնդել է, թե եվրոպացիները իրենց երկրներում չէին հանդուրժի նույնը, ինչ հանդուրժում են Հայաստանում: «Մի պարզ հարց տամ՝ եթե ձերբակալվեին տիկին Քլինթոնի 50 կողմնակիցներ կամ պարոն Սարկոզիի 50 կողմնակիցներ, ի՞նչ կկատարվեր Միացյալ Նահանգներում եւ Ֆրանսիայում: Այնտեղ դա անթույլատրելի է: Իսկ այստեղ կարելի է: Այնտեղ եվրոպացիները նման բան թույլ չեն տա: Իսկ այստեղ թույլ են տալիս: Եթե գոյություն ունեն չափանիշներ, ապա դրանք գոյություն ունեն բոլորի համար: Այն, ինչ չի հանդուրժվում Եվրոպայում, չպետք է հանդուրժվի նաեւ այստեղ: Այդ պատճառով էլ մենք դժգոհ ենք դիտորդների դիրքորոշումից», - ասել է Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը: «Ստացվում է այսպես՝ ժամանում են եվրոպացիները եւ օրինականացնում են անօրինական ընտրությունները: ԵԱՀԿ-ն եւ Եվրախորհուրդը՝ մեր կազմակերպություններն են, մենք դրանց լիիրավ անդամն ենք: Մեր կառավարությունները դրանց նկատմամբ պարտավորություններ ունեն, բայց այդ կազմակերպություններն էլ մեր ժողովուրդների նկատմամբ պարտավորություններ ունեն: Եվ մենք պահանջում ենք, որ դրանք կատարվեն», - փաստել է Հայաստանի առաջին նախագահը: «Կոմերսանտ»-ի թղթակցի հարցին, թե ի՞նչ կլիներ, եթե մարտի 1-ին Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը չմնար իր առանձնատանը եւ գնար ֆրանսիական դեսպանատան մոտ հավաքված ցուցարարների մոտ, նախագահության նախկին թեկնածուն պատասխանել է. «Ի՞նչ կլիներ: Կսպանեին: Նրանց հենց դա էլ պետք էր: Հետո դա կվերագրեին ինչ-որ խուլիգանների: Կասեին, թե մի քանի հոգի, որոնք ինձանից դժգոհ էին, սպանեցին ինձ: Եվ դա ավելի շատ կապակայունացներ իրադրությունը», - եզրափակել է Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը:
Friday, 14 March 2008
Armenian Oppositionists ‘Tortured In Jail’
RFE/RL
The Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights on Friday called for an independent investigation into Armenia’s deadly post-election unrest and said opposition supporters arrested by the authorities in recent weeks have been ill-treated in custody.
Thomas Hammarberg spent the past three days meeting government and opposition leaders in Yerevan and visiting hospitals that have treated scores of people injured in the March 1 clashes between riot police and supporters of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian. He was also allowed to visit some of more than 100 Ter-Petrosian loyalists arrested on a string of charges mainly relating to those clashes.
“There have been cases where there were problems,” Hammarberg said of his meetings in Armenian prisons. “Some of those arrested have been beaten, which of course is not acceptable.”
“Several of those I have talked to in prison feel that they are absolutely innocent and that they only expressed only their opinions,” he told RFE/RL before returning to Strasbourg.
Hammarberg stopped short of describing any of the detainees as political prisoners, saying only that he urged President Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian to limit the ongoing prosecutions only to “those cases where there is real proof that people have committed violent crimes.” “It is important now to avoid any tendency towards bringing in people because of their political positions,” he said.
Kocharian, Sarkisian and Armenia’s top law-enforcement officials deny any political motives behind the mass arrests which they say were needed for thwarting a coup d’etat allegedly plotted by Ter-Petrosian and his top allies. The authorities say the use of force against thousands of opposition supporters who demonstrated in Yerevan against the official results of Armenia’s disputed presidential election was therefore justified. At least seven protesters and one security officer were killed as a result.
Hammarberg appeared to have serious misgivings about the official version of events, echoing the European Union’s calls for an independent investigation into the worst street violence in the country’s history. “I really think that there is a need for a professional, independent and impartial inquiry into what happened,” he said, adding that it should be conducted by special commission made up of individuals “trusted by the public.”
In Hammarberg’s words, international experts could also assist in the conduct of the probe. “That inquiry is so important for Armenia,” he said.
The Council of Europe official said he also told Kocharian and Sarkisian that the recent day’s easing of civil liberty restrictions stemming from the state of emergency in Yerevan is “not sufficient” and specifically urged them to abolish “censorship” of the Armenian media. He said that is important for defusing the post-election tensions in Armenia.
“There are real problems in Armenia today,” said Hammarberg. “The society is divided. There is polarization.”
(Photolur photo)
What was the purpose of president Kocharyan amendments, if media blackout is still on - newspapers not published, websites blocked?
Main independent and pro-opposition newspapers were not able to publish today due to continuing media censorship in Armenia. And this is despite president Kocharyan’s decree on partially lifting media restrictions under the ‘state of emergency’.
Particularly, Aravot daily was not allowed to publish as representatives from the National Security Service - who are apparently permanent residents in the publishing house - put ban on the newspaper. Aravot editor Abrahamyan says Radio Liberty that his paper prepared balanced edition presenting views of both authorities and opposition. However, it was the article on Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s press conference which proved ‘decisive’ for state censors. They consider it containing “obviously false” information. For similar ‘justifications’, opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily was banned too. So essentially, only pro-government newspapers continue working in Armenia. Most blocked Internet sites remain as such.
Editors question the real purpose of Kocharyan’s decree on easing media restrictions. They believe that this step was made by authorities to provide a cover for continuing media blackout in Armenia by creating headlines on lifting it, but essentially keeping everything as it was. This way they will try to ease pressure from international community to lift media ban, and state of emergency rules, altogether.
But the reality is depressing, indeed. Here is what ArmeniaNow.com had to say to its readers:
“Dear Readers,
ArmeniaNow regrets that the latest changes in Yerevan’s State of Emergency still leave wide control and leeway for media censorship which has already been exercised in state restrictions of newspapers on the first day of the revised provisions. Rather than subject our future to vague interpretations of what is considered “situation-destabilizing information”, we will remain under media blackout till such time as the State of Emergency has been suspended.
Thank you for your patience.”
Particularly, Aravot daily was not allowed to publish as representatives from the National Security Service - who are apparently permanent residents in the publishing house - put ban on the newspaper. Aravot editor Abrahamyan says Radio Liberty that his paper prepared balanced edition presenting views of both authorities and opposition. However, it was the article on Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s press conference which proved ‘decisive’ for state censors. They consider it containing “obviously false” information. For similar ‘justifications’, opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily was banned too. So essentially, only pro-government newspapers continue working in Armenia. Most blocked Internet sites remain as such.
Editors question the real purpose of Kocharyan’s decree on easing media restrictions. They believe that this step was made by authorities to provide a cover for continuing media blackout in Armenia by creating headlines on lifting it, but essentially keeping everything as it was. This way they will try to ease pressure from international community to lift media ban, and state of emergency rules, altogether.
But the reality is depressing, indeed. Here is what ArmeniaNow.com had to say to its readers:
“Dear Readers,
ArmeniaNow regrets that the latest changes in Yerevan’s State of Emergency still leave wide control and leeway for media censorship which has already been exercised in state restrictions of newspapers on the first day of the revised provisions. Rather than subject our future to vague interpretations of what is considered “situation-destabilizing information”, we will remain under media blackout till such time as the State of Emergency has been suspended.
Thank you for your patience.”
He says – you decide
Q&A
Serj Sargsyan [prime minister ('president elect')]: “I will never resign from the post of the president of Armenia”.
Serj Sargsyan: Incumbent president Robert Kocharyan will not take up a post of prime minister. "Robert Kocharyan and I are so honest that if such a scenario had been possible, we would have told this before the election the way Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev did", Sargsyan said.
Serj Sargsyan refutes rumors about his love for gambling - "No, I am not a gambler." [answering question on rumours of his love for gambling in casino]
Serj Sargsyan promises to “root out crime in Armenia”. [yeah, sure (1)]
Serj Sargsyan promises to fight bribery and corruption in judiciary system. "I promise everybody that we will support all people wishing to expose bribe-takers," Sargsyan said. [yeah, sure (2)]
Serj Sargsyan refutes rumours that he has a share in all big businesses in Armenia. [no comment]
Serj Sargsyan does not think that his entourage casts a shadow on him.
Serj Sargsyan does not think that the staffing policy of the past years was shameful. In any case, Sargsyan promises not to appoint those who have bad reputation among the people. [to start with..?]
Serj Sargsyan - Coalition government: ARF Dashnaktsutyun will take part in governmental coalition. [Rumours are widespread in Yerevan that Vazgen Manukyan is currently making a deal with the authorities.] Sargsyan added that he also “met Leader of the National-Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan” without elaborating further.
Serj Sargsyan: We intend to amend legislation and establish certain guarantees for parliamentary minority. According to him, the platform of the parliament is quite a good place for solving such problems as the fight against corruption and establishment of justice. [wow!]
Serj Sargsyan: Lack of trust in pro-government media. During a TV interview today he said that he is concerned that people trust rumours and the information from the Internet more than the information broadcast on TV by channels like H1 and H2. [I wonder why? or do I?]
Serj Sargsyan: My opinion does not always coincide with the opinion of President Kocharyan. [‘revelation’]
Serj Sargsyan thinks that U.S. President George Bush has not congratulated him because of post-election situation in Armenia and not election itself. [I always thought that ‘post- election’ cannot be without ‘election’]
Serj Sargsyan: Opposition electorate can take active part in coming local authorities elections [What a generous man!]
Serj Sargsyan: We have never used army for political purposes. [March 1]
Serj Sargsyan: I don't know exactly whose shops were robbed and destroyed during Mar 1 events. [when asked if the shops belonged to oligarchs related to the authorities]
Serj Sargsyan: There was no order to disperse the oppositionists rallying at Liberty Square. [“Mistakes”?]
Serj Sargsyan regrets that General Manvel Grigoryan tried to go into politics and to disobey supreme commander [effectively confirming claims denied by Defence Minister that General Manvel supports Levon Ter-Petrosyan opposition movement]. “I regret that for some reasons General Manvel Grigoryan tried to go into the politics and to disobey the supreme commander.” "General Manvel Grigoryan is my comrade-in-arms. Moreover, his wife. Nazik, was fighting along with us. I have never tried to involve Grigoryan into the politics. I regret that for some reasons he tried to do it himself and disobeyed the supreme commander. I think it is necessary to examine the circumstances of this case and solve this problem," Sargsyan said.
Serj Sargsyan: Communication with people via internet is the best format in the present situation. “Today, the internet is a strong mechanism for shaping the public opinion. That's why I have chosen this format of communication.” “This format allows people to ask all kinds of questions and to remain unknown. This is the best format in the present situation.” [and who censored Internet?]
*using ArmInfo reports
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Graphic video images of civilian with gunshot injuries (1 March, Yerevan) have been released
Official warning to Armenia President Kocharyan: US multi-million Millenium Challenge Corporation funding may be suspended over recent events
Millenium Challenge Corporation
Ambassador John Danilovich,
Chief Executive Officer
March 11, 2008
His Excellency Robert Kocharian
President of the Republic of Annenia
Yerevan
Dear Mr. President:
We have had many conversations over the past two years concerning Armenia's continued eligibility for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funding. In particular, I refer to our telephone conversation of this past January during which we discussed the importance of the upcoming elections and our mutually expressed desire for their successful completion.
As a friend and major proponent of long-term economic growth, stability, and democracy in Armenia, MCC has an obligation to ensure that our programs operate in a democratic environment. MCC's $235.6 million Compact with the people of Armenia is based on the country's continued passing performance on policy indicators. As mentioned at the October 2007 U.S.-Armenia Joint Economic Task Force, a demonstrated commitment to democratic practices plays an essential role in maintaining compact eligibility.
MCC has the right to suspend or terminate a Compact when serious policy reversals occur and this letter constitutes an official warning that recent events could have negative effects on Armenia's eligibility for MCC funding. MCC is reviewing operational aspects of its ongoing work in Armenia in light of these events, including the suspension of media freedoms and the imposition of a state of emergency, and is closely monitoring the situation with U.S. Government and donor colleagues.
Sincerely,
/signature/
Ambassador John Danilovich,
Chief Executive Officer
March 11, 2008
His Excellency Robert Kocharian
President of the Republic of Annenia
Yerevan
Dear Mr. President:
We have had many conversations over the past two years concerning Armenia's continued eligibility for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funding. In particular, I refer to our telephone conversation of this past January during which we discussed the importance of the upcoming elections and our mutually expressed desire for their successful completion.
As a friend and major proponent of long-term economic growth, stability, and democracy in Armenia, MCC has an obligation to ensure that our programs operate in a democratic environment. MCC's $235.6 million Compact with the people of Armenia is based on the country's continued passing performance on policy indicators. As mentioned at the October 2007 U.S.-Armenia Joint Economic Task Force, a demonstrated commitment to democratic practices plays an essential role in maintaining compact eligibility.
MCC has the right to suspend or terminate a Compact when serious policy reversals occur and this letter constitutes an official warning that recent events could have negative effects on Armenia's eligibility for MCC funding. MCC is reviewing operational aspects of its ongoing work in Armenia in light of these events, including the suspension of media freedoms and the imposition of a state of emergency, and is closely monitoring the situation with U.S. Government and donor colleagues.
Sincerely,
/signature/
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
"Mistakes"?
via RFE/RL: Meeting with students on Wednesday, prime-minister Serj Sargsyan [‘president elect’] defended the use of lethal force against thousands of supporters of his main election challenger, Levon Ter-Petrosian, who demonstrated in Yerevan on March 1. He said they were wrong to clash with security forces even if the latter made “mistakes” during the dispersal earlier in the day of Ter-Petrosian’s tent camp outside the city’s Opera House [Liberty sq].
“Even if the police made a mistake outside the Opera, nobody had the right to behave like that,” he said. “If the organizers were civilized people and cared about Armenia a little, they could calm down those people and protest in a legal way.”
“Even if the police made a mistake outside the Opera, nobody had the right to behave like that,” he said. “If the organizers were civilized people and cared about Armenia a little, they could calm down those people and protest in a legal way.”
Official reaction to online video evidence of shooting at protesters
Video evidence of special police units shooting at protesters (and not in the air, as officials claim) posted online spread so fast that no media blackout could prevent it reaching international community and Armenian public, and officials in Yerevan started reacting to this damning evidence. As I said elsewhere, they may shut down local media for a while, they may be successful in political persecutions for a while, but they just can’t fight Internet. It’s a different era, and sooner they understand it, the better. In fact, all signs are out there that by losing information war, Armenian authorities started paying more attention to Internet and the ways to exploit it for their own PR and not only. First signs of Internet power and influence became apparent during pre/post election period when election related videos posted by A1+ led to investigations, although I do not know the results of that proceedings.
Back to online video evidence, RFE/RL reports that “Hakob Gharakhanian [a senior prosecutor involved in the ongoing criminal investigation] questioned the authenticity of a video clip of the violence circulating on the Internet which shows a group of special police officers opening automatic gunfire in the direction of the demonstrators. Nonetheless, he said, Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian has instructed his subordinates to examine the footage and determine whether the police indeed shot at the crowd.
“Nobody fired live rounds at the demonstrators,” Gharakhanian told reporters. “Despite that, the prosecutor-general has issued a written order to investigate and give legal assessment to the actions of police officers.”
Underscoring their distrust of the Armenian security apparatus, the European Union and some international human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into the deadliest street violence in Armenia’s history.
The Armenian government is unlikely to agree to such an investigation. Hovsepian, according to his spokeswoman Sona Truzian, told the head of the OSCE office in Yerevan late Tuesday that he is only ready to let “international experts” take part in forensic tests conducted by the investigators."
Interestingly, writing about the same press conference, ArmInfo reports that Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan “appealed to UN for assistance in carrying out expert examination of video posted in the Internet. As Prosecutor General's spokeswoman Sona Truzyan said at today's press-conference, A. Hovsepyan met Head of the UN Yerevan Office today and asked for assistance in carrying out an expert examination on Internet shots, "for the international experts to carry out the examination and determine whether the shots have been mounted or no", S. Truzyan said and added that RA law enforcement agencies consider the shots mounted".
Back to online video evidence, RFE/RL reports that “Hakob Gharakhanian [a senior prosecutor involved in the ongoing criminal investigation] questioned the authenticity of a video clip of the violence circulating on the Internet which shows a group of special police officers opening automatic gunfire in the direction of the demonstrators. Nonetheless, he said, Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian has instructed his subordinates to examine the footage and determine whether the police indeed shot at the crowd.
“Nobody fired live rounds at the demonstrators,” Gharakhanian told reporters. “Despite that, the prosecutor-general has issued a written order to investigate and give legal assessment to the actions of police officers.”
Underscoring their distrust of the Armenian security apparatus, the European Union and some international human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into the deadliest street violence in Armenia’s history.
The Armenian government is unlikely to agree to such an investigation. Hovsepian, according to his spokeswoman Sona Truzian, told the head of the OSCE office in Yerevan late Tuesday that he is only ready to let “international experts” take part in forensic tests conducted by the investigators."
Interestingly, writing about the same press conference, ArmInfo reports that Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan “appealed to UN for assistance in carrying out expert examination of video posted in the Internet. As Prosecutor General's spokeswoman Sona Truzyan said at today's press-conference, A. Hovsepyan met Head of the UN Yerevan Office today and asked for assistance in carrying out an expert examination on Internet shots, "for the international experts to carry out the examination and determine whether the shots have been mounted or no", S. Truzyan said and added that RA law enforcement agencies consider the shots mounted".
Independent and pro-opposition media representatives in Armenia protest censorship
STATEMENT
On March 2, following the day of announcing a state of emergency in Yerevan, the employees of National Security Service (NSS) visited editorial offices of newspapers and presented a short letter, without a signature and a seal, warning that the activities of newspapers would be suspended if the newspaper publications contained information that was different from the official information. On the same night, the materials of newspapers taken to the printing house were checked in detail by NSS employees, and there was a verbal instruction to prohibit the printing.
Taking into consideration that the information called official is at least one-sided and does not reflect the whole picture, being continuously broadcast by about a dozen TV channels, certain newspapers simply decided not to get published, and the others turned up in a forced idle time.
This becomes a basis for us to announce that the RA authorities have just prohibited the activities of the media that are undesirable for them, especially when the demand to publish exclusively official information has not in the least concerned “their own” media that are being published in the conditions of state of emergency.
To make the information terror complete, Internet web sites have also been blocked. Moreover, advertising is being broadcast instead of the CNN and Euronews newscasts covering the events in Armenia. The broadcasting of Liberty radio station was totally suspended.
We announce that all these things not only do not contribute to toning down the tension existing in the public but also deepen the atmosphere of hatred and hostility. The overwhelming majority of the media spreading information that is called official and, especially, the press speakers with their aggression just contribute to igniting unhealthy moods and deepening the mistrust in the government.
In the created situation, our constitutional right to spread and receive information has been violated; the universally-acknowledged principles of freedom of speech and the press freedom have been infringed; the media sustain material losses; censorship is being implemented in Armenia, and our country has turned up in a complete informational blockade.
A1+ chairman
Aravot daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Yerevan Press Club president
Zhamanak Yerevan daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Internews managing director
Haykakan Zhamanak daily newspaper deputy editor-in-chief
Hayk daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Lragir web site editor-in-chief
168 Zham newspaper editor-in-chief
Hetk online newspaper editor-in-chief
Hraparak daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper editor-in-chief
Taregir newspaper editor-in-chief
ArmeniaNow online magazine editor
*via The Armenian Observer Blog
On March 2, following the day of announcing a state of emergency in Yerevan, the employees of National Security Service (NSS) visited editorial offices of newspapers and presented a short letter, without a signature and a seal, warning that the activities of newspapers would be suspended if the newspaper publications contained information that was different from the official information. On the same night, the materials of newspapers taken to the printing house were checked in detail by NSS employees, and there was a verbal instruction to prohibit the printing.
Taking into consideration that the information called official is at least one-sided and does not reflect the whole picture, being continuously broadcast by about a dozen TV channels, certain newspapers simply decided not to get published, and the others turned up in a forced idle time.
This becomes a basis for us to announce that the RA authorities have just prohibited the activities of the media that are undesirable for them, especially when the demand to publish exclusively official information has not in the least concerned “their own” media that are being published in the conditions of state of emergency.
To make the information terror complete, Internet web sites have also been blocked. Moreover, advertising is being broadcast instead of the CNN and Euronews newscasts covering the events in Armenia. The broadcasting of Liberty radio station was totally suspended.
We announce that all these things not only do not contribute to toning down the tension existing in the public but also deepen the atmosphere of hatred and hostility. The overwhelming majority of the media spreading information that is called official and, especially, the press speakers with their aggression just contribute to igniting unhealthy moods and deepening the mistrust in the government.
In the created situation, our constitutional right to spread and receive information has been violated; the universally-acknowledged principles of freedom of speech and the press freedom have been infringed; the media sustain material losses; censorship is being implemented in Armenia, and our country has turned up in a complete informational blockade.
A1+ chairman
Aravot daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Yerevan Press Club president
Zhamanak Yerevan daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Internews managing director
Haykakan Zhamanak daily newspaper deputy editor-in-chief
Hayk daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Lragir web site editor-in-chief
168 Zham newspaper editor-in-chief
Hetk online newspaper editor-in-chief
Hraparak daily newspaper editor-in-chief
Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper editor-in-chief
Taregir newspaper editor-in-chief
ArmeniaNow online magazine editor
*via The Armenian Observer Blog
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