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INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REMEMBERS MARCH 1
Roza Hovhannisyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/interview27010.html
Published: 12:11:48 - 01/08/2012
The UN Committee on Human Rights has recently adopted conclusions
on Armenia expressing concern over the violation of human rights in
different spheres in Armenia, as well as the no-disclosure of the
March 1 cases. In this connection, Lragir.am talked to the head of
the Vanadzor office of Helsinki Citizens' Association, Artur Sakunts.
Mr. Sakunts, the UN Committee conclusions give time to the Armenian
government to eliminate the breaches pointed out is its conclusions
and to come up with proposals. Do such assessments by the international
structures make the Armenian authorities alert?
It they didn't, the Armenian authorities would not try working out
some projects. They understand the need of changes, but the issue
is whether there are necessary conditions for the implementation of
changes. In this sense the government is in a deadlock: it realizes
the situation but can't do anything since it does not stem from the
interests of the oligarchs. For example, the case with Nemets Rubo
[Ruben Hayrapetyan]. How can we understand whether they want changes
or not. They speak about 15 people, but only 6 are detained. Are they
carrying out a proper investigation to disclose this incident? All
these questions prove nothing is well-done. Unfortunately, in terms
of the human rights defense there are no favorable conditions in
Armenia to change the situation.
The only favorable factor is the fight and disagreement of a part of
the society. There is a layer in the state structures, which knows the
situation very well, but they have no influence on the decision-making
process. The political leadership understands everything, but it has
no wish to make changes. The ongoing events make it clear that the
system must undergo radical changes for which serious will is required.
Taking into account the fact that the current authorities are clung
on their chairs and have no intention to leave, can we deduce radical
changes are far and we will have the same situation for the next
couple of years?
I don't think the authorities will have the necessary resources. They
will have to count on emigration for the dissatisfied mass to leave
the country, but this is very dangerous. For me, no steps aimed at
improving the human rights situation in Armenia is a crime against
their own country. The idleness of the principle of supremacy of law
destroys the power and people's trust in it. If people's trust fades
away, the state will appear in a collapse. All the concerns voiced by
the Torture Committee, Human Rights Committee, PACE resolutions on the
democratic institutions of Armenia show it is time for changes. The
international community sees the potential for changes in Armenia.
The UN Committee conclusions on Armenia largely dwell March 1. The
international community is focused on these events from time to time.
Can this factor boost practical steps aimed at the revelation of
the events?
The mention of March 1 was an alerting step. The UN Human Rights
Committee dedicated two points to this issue which means the
international community has not forgotten the March 1 events. All
the propaganda measures applied in the country to alleviate the
sharpness of the issue are not consistent with the assessment of the
international community. All the attempts to ignore this issue so
that time will scar the wounds are useless because this is a serious
obstacle to the development of the country. The international community
will not accept this. This power was born by March 1. I don't believe
in miracles, but it would be real patriotism if Serzh Sargsyan one day
says the whole truth on March 1. And if he supports the revelation,
I will vote for him. If Serzh Sargsyan really loves Armenia, if he
is courageous enough and if he wants Armenia to be a dignified state,
let him tell the whole truth.
Roza Hovhannisyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/interview27010.html
Published: 12:11:48 - 01/08/2012
The UN Committee on Human Rights has recently adopted conclusions
on Armenia expressing concern over the violation of human rights in
different spheres in Armenia, as well as the no-disclosure of the
March 1 cases. In this connection, Lragir.am talked to the head of
the Vanadzor office of Helsinki Citizens' Association, Artur Sakunts.
Mr. Sakunts, the UN Committee conclusions give time to the Armenian
government to eliminate the breaches pointed out is its conclusions
and to come up with proposals. Do such assessments by the international
structures make the Armenian authorities alert?
It they didn't, the Armenian authorities would not try working out
some projects. They understand the need of changes, but the issue
is whether there are necessary conditions for the implementation of
changes. In this sense the government is in a deadlock: it realizes
the situation but can't do anything since it does not stem from the
interests of the oligarchs. For example, the case with Nemets Rubo
[Ruben Hayrapetyan]. How can we understand whether they want changes
or not. They speak about 15 people, but only 6 are detained. Are they
carrying out a proper investigation to disclose this incident? All
these questions prove nothing is well-done. Unfortunately, in terms
of the human rights defense there are no favorable conditions in
Armenia to change the situation.
The only favorable factor is the fight and disagreement of a part of
the society. There is a layer in the state structures, which knows the
situation very well, but they have no influence on the decision-making
process. The political leadership understands everything, but it has
no wish to make changes. The ongoing events make it clear that the
system must undergo radical changes for which serious will is required.
Taking into account the fact that the current authorities are clung
on their chairs and have no intention to leave, can we deduce radical
changes are far and we will have the same situation for the next
couple of years?
I don't think the authorities will have the necessary resources. They
will have to count on emigration for the dissatisfied mass to leave
the country, but this is very dangerous. For me, no steps aimed at
improving the human rights situation in Armenia is a crime against
their own country. The idleness of the principle of supremacy of law
destroys the power and people's trust in it. If people's trust fades
away, the state will appear in a collapse. All the concerns voiced by
the Torture Committee, Human Rights Committee, PACE resolutions on the
democratic institutions of Armenia show it is time for changes. The
international community sees the potential for changes in Armenia.
The UN Committee conclusions on Armenia largely dwell March 1. The
international community is focused on these events from time to time.
Can this factor boost practical steps aimed at the revelation of
the events?
The mention of March 1 was an alerting step. The UN Human Rights
Committee dedicated two points to this issue which means the
international community has not forgotten the March 1 events. All
the propaganda measures applied in the country to alleviate the
sharpness of the issue are not consistent with the assessment of the
international community. All the attempts to ignore this issue so
that time will scar the wounds are useless because this is a serious
obstacle to the development of the country. The international community
will not accept this. This power was born by March 1. I don't believe
in miracles, but it would be real patriotism if Serzh Sargsyan one day
says the whole truth on March 1. And if he supports the revelation,
I will vote for him. If Serzh Sargsyan really loves Armenia, if he
is courageous enough and if he wants Armenia to be a dignified state,
let him tell the whole truth.