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Protecting the right to vote in Armenia
by Dzovinar Derderian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-02-23-protecting-the-right-to-vote-in-armenia
Published: Saturday February 23, 2013
Protesters gather in the aftermath of February 18 elections. Photolure
The authorities in Yerevan once again falsified the presidential
elections. Just as before, people have rushed to the streets to urge
the authorities to recognize the voice of the majority. Once again an
opportunity has emerged for a civil movement, which includes not just
people who have voted for Raffi Hovhanisian, but also citizens who
have not voted for him and doubt in his potential as a politician.
People are joining this movement to protect the basic right to vote: a
right, without which no democracy can exist. Five years ago, an
opportunity for a civil movement had also emerged, and anyone
concerned with the birth of democracy in Armenia should learn from the
experiences of 2008.
Lessons of 2008
Based on negative memories and hatred towards Levon Ter Petrossian,
many political parties, journalists from the Diaspora and Armenia,
non-profit organizations, certainly also individual citizens and
diasporans did not support the movement that began in 2008. In
contrast, many minimized the violations of the 2008 elections, did not
restrain from painting Levon Ter Petrossian and his team in black and
most unfortunately described the demonstrators and activists as sheep,
traitors, and so on. This stance, arising from personal preferences
and party politics, indicates that maybe those opposing the 2008
movement had not understood that the demonstrations were not in about
electing Ter Petrossian as president, but rather in support of the
Armenian citizen's democratic right to vote.
Others realized that the 2008 movement was a struggle for democracy,
but argued that such demonstrations and movements would destabilize
Armenia and harm the image of the nation internationally. By now it
should hopefully be clear that as long as Armenia is not democratic,
the country would be instable. Those who opposed the 2008 movement
prevented an opportunity for developing democracy in Armenia and
ensuring stability.
Regardless of whether or not Ter Petrossian or Hovhannisian as
presidents would have been or will be able to uphold democracy in
Armenia, one must stand by the demand of the people, if one believes
in democracy.
Just like in 2008, now as well, we must stand back from our personal
preferences and struggle for the wish of the majority of the people.
We cannot forget that this movement demands the de jure recognition of
a de facto elected president. Just for this reason the 2008 and 2013
movements in their nature first and foremost embody civil rather than
political principles.
A civil rights movement
The rally on February 22 seems to have landed the movement towards a
promising direction. Speakers of the podium and among the people of
Liberty Square have also stated that being present at the Liberty
Square does not signify that they have voted for Raffi Hovhannisian.
Raffi also, commendably, has tried to divert the movement from his
personality. Having said that if the current movement will remain a
civil movement, then Raffi Hovhannisian and other political leaders
should refrain from uttering their domestic and foreign policies from
the podium of the Liberty Square; the 2013 presidential campaign has
ended.
The current situation does not demand creating a political coalition,
at this point efforts should be directed towards enhancing a civil
movement. The involved individuals and political forces may not be in
agreement with the perspectives of the Heritage Party, they have
united, and I hope more will unite, to struggle for the citizens'
right to vote: for democracy.
In response to those joining the movement, Raffi Hovhannisian should
not demand anything less than the presidency that he has won. Thus to
ask for new parliamentary elections or commit to any other compromise
will be unacceptable for the participants of the civil movement
because to protect the democratic rights of the citizens in the
Republic of Armenia stands as the forefront purpose of this movement.
- Dzovinar Derderian is a PhD student in Near Eastern Studies at the
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
by Dzovinar Derderian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-02-23-protecting-the-right-to-vote-in-armenia
Published: Saturday February 23, 2013
Protesters gather in the aftermath of February 18 elections. Photolure
The authorities in Yerevan once again falsified the presidential
elections. Just as before, people have rushed to the streets to urge
the authorities to recognize the voice of the majority. Once again an
opportunity has emerged for a civil movement, which includes not just
people who have voted for Raffi Hovhanisian, but also citizens who
have not voted for him and doubt in his potential as a politician.
People are joining this movement to protect the basic right to vote: a
right, without which no democracy can exist. Five years ago, an
opportunity for a civil movement had also emerged, and anyone
concerned with the birth of democracy in Armenia should learn from the
experiences of 2008.
Lessons of 2008
Based on negative memories and hatred towards Levon Ter Petrossian,
many political parties, journalists from the Diaspora and Armenia,
non-profit organizations, certainly also individual citizens and
diasporans did not support the movement that began in 2008. In
contrast, many minimized the violations of the 2008 elections, did not
restrain from painting Levon Ter Petrossian and his team in black and
most unfortunately described the demonstrators and activists as sheep,
traitors, and so on. This stance, arising from personal preferences
and party politics, indicates that maybe those opposing the 2008
movement had not understood that the demonstrations were not in about
electing Ter Petrossian as president, but rather in support of the
Armenian citizen's democratic right to vote.
Others realized that the 2008 movement was a struggle for democracy,
but argued that such demonstrations and movements would destabilize
Armenia and harm the image of the nation internationally. By now it
should hopefully be clear that as long as Armenia is not democratic,
the country would be instable. Those who opposed the 2008 movement
prevented an opportunity for developing democracy in Armenia and
ensuring stability.
Regardless of whether or not Ter Petrossian or Hovhannisian as
presidents would have been or will be able to uphold democracy in
Armenia, one must stand by the demand of the people, if one believes
in democracy.
Just like in 2008, now as well, we must stand back from our personal
preferences and struggle for the wish of the majority of the people.
We cannot forget that this movement demands the de jure recognition of
a de facto elected president. Just for this reason the 2008 and 2013
movements in their nature first and foremost embody civil rather than
political principles.
A civil rights movement
The rally on February 22 seems to have landed the movement towards a
promising direction. Speakers of the podium and among the people of
Liberty Square have also stated that being present at the Liberty
Square does not signify that they have voted for Raffi Hovhannisian.
Raffi also, commendably, has tried to divert the movement from his
personality. Having said that if the current movement will remain a
civil movement, then Raffi Hovhannisian and other political leaders
should refrain from uttering their domestic and foreign policies from
the podium of the Liberty Square; the 2013 presidential campaign has
ended.
The current situation does not demand creating a political coalition,
at this point efforts should be directed towards enhancing a civil
movement. The involved individuals and political forces may not be in
agreement with the perspectives of the Heritage Party, they have
united, and I hope more will unite, to struggle for the citizens'
right to vote: for democracy.
In response to those joining the movement, Raffi Hovhannisian should
not demand anything less than the presidency that he has won. Thus to
ask for new parliamentary elections or commit to any other compromise
will be unacceptable for the participants of the civil movement
because to protect the democratic rights of the citizens in the
Republic of Armenia stands as the forefront purpose of this movement.
- Dzovinar Derderian is a PhD student in Near Eastern Studies at the
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.