Supporting Healing Of Army Is A Must

SUPPORTING HEALING OF ARMY IS A MUST

Lragir.am News

16:42:58 – 28/10/2011

Three NGOs representing the Army in Reality Initiative held a press
conference on October 28 to dwell on recent persecution and violence
they underwent by the police. Mr. Arthur Sakunts, the leader of the
Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor office, presented an overview of
the campaign against the activists of the Initiative, noting that
different methods are used to this end. The unlawful actions and
hindrance to actions of protest in front of the government, the arrest
and prosecution against Vardges Gaspari, Lala Aslikyan forcefully
brought to the police station, regular interrogation of the reporters
of the Journalists for Human Rights NGO allow Arthur Sakunts to say
that the military command, instead of addressing the plight in the
army, is fighting people who are trying to have the plight in the
army addressed by voicing concern about the problems. Sakunts ended
his speech with the conclusion that the army command and the supreme
commander-in-chief are not stirring a finger to solve these problems.

Dwelling on the freedom of movement and freedom of expression, Ms.

Sona Aivazyan, the director of Transparency International, wondered
about the rude behavior of the policeman who banned the protest held
every Thursday in front of the house of government but announced on
TV that the protest may be permitted next Thursday.

Ms. Zhanna Alexanyan, the chairwoman of Journalists for Human Rights
NGO dwelled on pressure and inappropriate interrogations by the
investigative service of the Ministry of Defense, noting that they
haven~Rt had such experience in their careers. According to him,
they have always been willing to cooperate with the law enforcers
of the ministry of defense, their publications were proportionate,
and no problems occurred, so they concluded that the campaign against
reporters started after the activity of the Army in Reality Initiative
was launched.

Nevertheless, Zhanna Alexanyan said after a meeting with the first
deputy minister of defense Davit Tonoyan the initiative hopes that
there are a few progressive forces who are willing to change the
situation in the army.

~SThe conflict with the Ministry of Defense, the publication of these
problems in the media, discussions and clashes are what is called
the army-society relation. This is the beginning of the process, and
it is going to be hard. The media and the society must support this
movement because all it is about healing the army and protecting the
right of young men aged 18 to live,~T Zhanna Alexanyan says.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress