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"DISHONORABLE ERROR" ("ANBADVAPE'R VRIBOOM") CONCERNING VOROGAIT PARATZ (SNARES OF GLORY), THE ARMENIAN CONSTITUTION OF 1773
http://massispost.com/?p=6023
Thursday, April 5th, 2012
While visiting the Kingdom of Belgium in early March of this year,
President Sarkisian of the Republic in Eastern Armenia, conveyed a
false message that Western Armenia, including Istanbul, had ratified
Vorogait Paratz in the 1860s of the Ottoman era. This action had
allegedly upset the Sultan at that time, and subsequently led to
the genocides of the christians, and the progressive minorities
in Turkey. That is not the case at all- the 1860s' constitutional
efforts had nothing to do with Vorogait Paratz of the Enlightenment
era. Rafael Hampatsoomian, the historian from the Armenian National
Academy in Yerevan, describes this gaffe to be a "dishonorable error"
of the President (quoted in armenian below).
In reality, after publication in 1773, Vorogait Paratz was initially
banned, at that time by the Armenian church of Etchmiadzin to start
with, and remained so even after subsequent printing and widespread
distribution during the 1780s. This was primarily because of the
continuing pogroms and persecution of the minorities in Ottoman
Turkey. The persecutions culminated in the Genocide of the Armenians
by the Ottomans beginning on the night of April 24, 1915. The 1773
Constitution resurfaced only recently when brought to light through
the global efforts of the Madras Group Parliamentary Assembly. The
following commentary is by Ms. Kohar Hampartsoomian.
Commentary about the continuing relevance of the 1773 Constitution: In
1773, in Madras, India, Hakob Shahamirian (1745-74) completed with the
assistance of his father a Constitution in classic Armenian (grabar)
entitled "Vorogait Paratz" - a trap for those striving for glory. The
Constitution was firstly applied for the Armenian community in Madras,
at least since 1783. The greatest part of the 521 Articles comprising
the first Armenian Constitution is up-to-date. Some of them amaze
with their actuality and modernity.
Hakob Shahamirian touches upon concepts like freedom of man and
nations, the power of the law, substantiation of democratic
decentralized form of government, etc. Pursuant to "Vorogait
Paratz", Armenia is a republic ruled by the parliament; all citizens
irrespective of origin, status, gender and creed are equal before the
law (Article 3). The power of law alone shall rule the country. The
Court is independent and stable, and the institution of the jury
shall be operational (Articles 504 - 507). The three branches of
power shall not be separated but be equal in power. All higher
officials and Judges shall be elected. The state shall allocate
benefits for the disabled, musicians and scientists. Freedom of creed
(Article 5), "speech, thought and activity" shall be ensured (Article
500). Aliens shall be entitled the right to political asylum (Articles
326-327). Shahamirian's Constitution grants the freedom and the right
to freely cross the border of the country (Article 347). Everybody
has the right "to commit good or evil" (Article 394). The prisoners'
rights are guaranteed (Article 148), the traffic rules are stated;
streets shall have names and numbers. All the ministries provided by
the Armenian Constitution exist currently in most states of the world:
(ministries of justice, economy, defense, national security, social
security, and tax inspection). . .
a. Modern concepts of constitutional rights begins with "Vorogait
Paratz" whose author, Yakob Shahamirian, was one of the peaks of the
18th century world social and political thought. "Vorogait Paratz"
was created 14 years prior to the declaration of the US Constitution
which is regarded to be the first one in the world. It was partially
enacted in the Armenian community of Madras in 1773.
b. "Vorogait Parats" encompasses the democratic structure of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, established by St. Gregory the Illuminator,
Catholicos of All Armenians (302-325 A. D.).
c. Shows through references to historical sources that this document
originates from the millennia-of Armenian common law, is based on the
legal monuments of the 5-18th centuries, and is enriched by the latest
achievements of the world law (particularly English) of the time.
Conclusion: Vorogait Paratz is the original Constitution of Armenia,
which cannot be ignored or misplaced! Shame be on the President of
the Republic of Armenia for failing to properly recognize and respect
this sacred monument dedicated to the cause of liberty in the name
of all peoples of the world.
Vatche' Kaloustian www.kaloustianlaw.org
http://massispost.com/?p=6023
Thursday, April 5th, 2012
While visiting the Kingdom of Belgium in early March of this year,
President Sarkisian of the Republic in Eastern Armenia, conveyed a
false message that Western Armenia, including Istanbul, had ratified
Vorogait Paratz in the 1860s of the Ottoman era. This action had
allegedly upset the Sultan at that time, and subsequently led to
the genocides of the christians, and the progressive minorities
in Turkey. That is not the case at all- the 1860s' constitutional
efforts had nothing to do with Vorogait Paratz of the Enlightenment
era. Rafael Hampatsoomian, the historian from the Armenian National
Academy in Yerevan, describes this gaffe to be a "dishonorable error"
of the President (quoted in armenian below).
In reality, after publication in 1773, Vorogait Paratz was initially
banned, at that time by the Armenian church of Etchmiadzin to start
with, and remained so even after subsequent printing and widespread
distribution during the 1780s. This was primarily because of the
continuing pogroms and persecution of the minorities in Ottoman
Turkey. The persecutions culminated in the Genocide of the Armenians
by the Ottomans beginning on the night of April 24, 1915. The 1773
Constitution resurfaced only recently when brought to light through
the global efforts of the Madras Group Parliamentary Assembly. The
following commentary is by Ms. Kohar Hampartsoomian.
Commentary about the continuing relevance of the 1773 Constitution: In
1773, in Madras, India, Hakob Shahamirian (1745-74) completed with the
assistance of his father a Constitution in classic Armenian (grabar)
entitled "Vorogait Paratz" - a trap for those striving for glory. The
Constitution was firstly applied for the Armenian community in Madras,
at least since 1783. The greatest part of the 521 Articles comprising
the first Armenian Constitution is up-to-date. Some of them amaze
with their actuality and modernity.
Hakob Shahamirian touches upon concepts like freedom of man and
nations, the power of the law, substantiation of democratic
decentralized form of government, etc. Pursuant to "Vorogait
Paratz", Armenia is a republic ruled by the parliament; all citizens
irrespective of origin, status, gender and creed are equal before the
law (Article 3). The power of law alone shall rule the country. The
Court is independent and stable, and the institution of the jury
shall be operational (Articles 504 - 507). The three branches of
power shall not be separated but be equal in power. All higher
officials and Judges shall be elected. The state shall allocate
benefits for the disabled, musicians and scientists. Freedom of creed
(Article 5), "speech, thought and activity" shall be ensured (Article
500). Aliens shall be entitled the right to political asylum (Articles
326-327). Shahamirian's Constitution grants the freedom and the right
to freely cross the border of the country (Article 347). Everybody
has the right "to commit good or evil" (Article 394). The prisoners'
rights are guaranteed (Article 148), the traffic rules are stated;
streets shall have names and numbers. All the ministries provided by
the Armenian Constitution exist currently in most states of the world:
(ministries of justice, economy, defense, national security, social
security, and tax inspection). . .
a. Modern concepts of constitutional rights begins with "Vorogait
Paratz" whose author, Yakob Shahamirian, was one of the peaks of the
18th century world social and political thought. "Vorogait Paratz"
was created 14 years prior to the declaration of the US Constitution
which is regarded to be the first one in the world. It was partially
enacted in the Armenian community of Madras in 1773.
b. "Vorogait Parats" encompasses the democratic structure of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, established by St. Gregory the Illuminator,
Catholicos of All Armenians (302-325 A. D.).
c. Shows through references to historical sources that this document
originates from the millennia-of Armenian common law, is based on the
legal monuments of the 5-18th centuries, and is enriched by the latest
achievements of the world law (particularly English) of the time.
Conclusion: Vorogait Paratz is the original Constitution of Armenia,
which cannot be ignored or misplaced! Shame be on the President of
the Republic of Armenia for failing to properly recognize and respect
this sacred monument dedicated to the cause of liberty in the name
of all peoples of the world.
Vatche' Kaloustian www.kaloustianlaw.org