ACNIS reView

Pass of the week

MAY 11, 2018

M:On August 8, the legally convened National Assembly began its work
the special session, the agenda of which again includes the election of the Prime Minister of Armenia
the question The only candidate for the position of the “Yelk” opposition faction of the parliament
leader, against Serzh Sargsyan and the Republican Party’s future rule
the leader of the popular movement is Nikol Pashinyan. As you know, May
1, in the first round of elections, he did not manage to collect enough votes.
Pashinyan is once again supported by ARF, “Yelk”, “Tsarukyan Bloc” of the National Assembly.
factions, and the parliamentary majority is the RPA faction
decided to support Pashinyan’s election. Prime Minister candidate at a special session
was presented by Lena Nazaryan, deputy of the “Yelk” faction, and after what
Nikol Pashinyan delivered a program speech. The vote that took place
59 deputies voted for the people’s candidate, 42 against.
Thus, Nikol Vova’s Pashinyan was elected the 16th Prime Minister of Armenia. RPA:
13 deputies from the faction voted in favor of him this time. Journalists
He also followed the work of the National Assembly from the lodge when he arrived in Yerevan the day before
world famous rock musician Serzh Tankyan.

…And so Nicole
The popular movement led by Pashinyan, which was also joined by “Reject
Serzhin” civil initiative and “For the State of Armenia” front,
reached its logical conclusion. The victory was crowned technically and ideologically
literately organized movement whose number of participants is on the rise
at the point exceeded 250 thousand. of the Prime Minister
the election of the people’s candidate for the position of the Armenian “velvet” revolution
was the recording of one of the results of the victory.

Addressing the people of Artsakh at the beginning of his speech, Pashinyan assured that the revolution of “love and solidarity” that took place in RA not only does not contain any danger, but also opens up new opportunities for the people of Artsakh and the statehood. “The result of the Armenian revolution will ultimately be the de jure international recognition of Artsakh’s right to self-determination,” he said, noting that one of the main goals is the formation of an atmosphere of national solidarity in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, and the establishment of national unity based on law and law in Armenia. “There will be no privileged people in Armenia, and that’s it. The election results are no more will not be falsified, election bribes will not be distributed, and that’s it. There will be no artificial economic monopolies, everyone will be able to do their favorite business, and that’s it. Human rights will be protected and that’s it. The government will not be a means of making money, corruption will be eradicated from the country, and that’s it. The rule of law and the rule of law will be established, and that’s it,” Pashinyan formulated his determination to solve the accumulated problems in the country, declaring that the law should apply equally to political supporters and relatives, as well as political competitors and opponents. “This is the main point of the Armenian revolution the most important message to which we must remain faithful until the end,” assured the people’s candidate.

Referring to the exterior
to the political priorities, Pashinyan announced that after being elected
The core of Armenia’s foreign policy will be Armenia and the Armenian people
collective interest. Accordingly, relations between Georgia and
Russia, Iran, European Union, United States, China and India
with According to him, Armenia will implement the agreement with the European Union.
will continue to be a member of EAEU and CSTO, militarily with Russia
considering the cooperation as a security system of Armenia
important factor. Then Pashinyan announced that equality before the law
under the conditions of approval, an economic revolution must also take place, which
will allow Diaspora businessmen to come and invest in Armenia. According to him:
a model of economic development will be introduced that will really change people
life and will dramatically increase the growth of the budget, will give an opportunity to increase
salaries and pensions. In that sense, three aspects of economic development are emphasized
priority. to develop information technology at a revolutionary pace,
the fields of agriculture and tourism. They should be reviewed at the same time
the credit obligations burdened on the peasants should be changed differently
the logic of fining a citizen in areas. “The Republic of Armenia
A state that pursues, fines, and punishes its own citizens is urgently needed
will turn into a state that supports the citizen and cooperates with him”, he is convinced
candidate for prime minister. According to him, the problems will be solved without vendettas and without
property redistribution, strictly observing the legality and citizens
rights and legitimate interests.

Serious reforms
the candidate sees a need for education, healthcare, social
in the security sectors, in the army, in the management system and elsewhere.
In particular, education, according to Pashinyan, should be de-partisan, that’s it
to the practice of leaving the social care of soldiers to their parents.
However, according to him, the most important change is the electoral system
reform to hold truly free, fair and transparent elections.
Apart from that, there should be no more political prisoners in Armenia
to be “The government will make efforts within its authority to
persons imprisoned for political activities should be released a day earlier,
and we finally get rid of the shameful stigma of a country with a political prisoner.”
Nikol Pashinyan assured. At the end of the speech, he emphasized again that hatred and
hate speech has no place and should not have in the new Armenia. “Back to the old
it won’t happen anymore. Despair has no place in our country anymore
hopelessness, our country stands firmly on its feet with an open front and
with a strong backbone,” Pashinyan said at the end of his speech.

It remains to be hoped that
the atmosphere of public trust will be strengthened in us, and they will be implemented nationwide
all the energy and potential of awakening for the benefit of the greatest dream of all Armenians – Mother
Recitation of the homeland.

It isin the court of first instance of Rebuni and Nubarashen administrative districts on May 7
Andrias Ghukasyan, a member of the “Legs, Armenia” initiative, was arrested
court hearing on changing the remedy. According to the defense, he is unreasonable
is under arrest for his political views. Defender Karen Mezhlumyan
specifically mentioned that the political situation has changed in the country, and Andrias
Ghukasyan should be released immediately. Prosecutor P. Petrosyan objected
against the petition, noting that the restraining order against Andrias Ghukasyan has not disappeared
the grounds for change. After that announcement, there was a great commotion in the hall, and so were the attendees
they shouted insults at the prosecutor. Nevertheless, the court granted the detention
to change the petition, and for Andrias Ghukasyan not to leave the country
was released from the courtroom with his signature.

…Opposition “New
A member of the “Armenia” movement was accused in the case of the events of Sari district, in particular
for allegedly organizing a mass on July 29, 2016
riots, tried to join the Police Patrol Service
“Sasna Tsri” occupied the territory of the regiment (PSS), armed with the members of the group
continued to hold the hostages. Obviously “made up” was the victim in this case
56 people were recognized, 50 of whom, according to the defense side, were policemen.
The opposition figure, of course, did not accept the accusation and insisted that
is subject to political reprisals. Apparently, the authorities to him
were not forgiven for a sensational video circulating on social networks, which
revealed some of the April war that claimed more than 100 young lives
“dark corners”. Andrias Ghukasyan probably meant that circumstance
defense attorney Inessa Petrosyan, when in court, before the announcement of the verdict, said. “Get rid of it
We are the executioner of the president, the executioner of the authorities, therefore judge Vardan Grigoryan
can become the person who will create a precedent for political views
will release the convicted person.”

Local and international civil structures have repeatedly spoken out and recorded that the authorities are “punishing” Andrias Ghukasyan for his political views. Those assessments, however, continued to be neglected and indifferent not only by the Armenian authorities, but also by the international organizations cooperating with them. Andrias Ghukasyan was charged exactly the same as eight other people, but only Andrias was subjected to criminal prosecution, against which the restraining order was not changed, and he remained in prison for about two years. It is noteworthy that by Ghukasyan’s defense counsel at the RA Court of Appeal During the examination of the complaint about changing the restraining order, the judge asked whether Andrias Ghukasyan would continue his opposition activities if released. And after receiving the latter’s affirmative answer, the appellate court made a decision not to change the preventive measure, detention. And its change, especially on May 7, 2018, in the context of the change in the political situation, in itself proves that Andrias Ghukasyan was detained as a political prisoner for so long. It remains to add that he is not the only one in that status.

Commented
Gevorg Lalayan

Bloombergwrites that the leader of the opposition of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, of the country
A prime minister was elected by the parliament, “finally ending up in power
the path to the growing momentum of mass street protests that support him
to the landscape he calls the velvet revolution.” According to the newspaper:
59 for and 42 against the votes of the deputies of the National Assembly on Tuesday
Pashinyan was elected Prime Minister by the ratio, “already winning this time
the confidence of 13 members from the majority Republican faction
too.”

The Guardianin his article about the situation in Armenia
wrote: “In a conversation with the newspaper, Pashinyan noted that the political “dark forces”
tried to derail the peaceful revolution of Armenia.” According to his aides, Karen
Karapetyan, who was the prime minister in 2016. from September to last month and close
facing Russia, tried to enter into secret transactions with various persons and
forces, the process of the first stage of Pashinyan’s becoming prime minister last week
to disrupt, which is why the latter was not elected prime minister on May 1. “Something
forces were trying to involve us in political trade by offering to become
Prime Minister, but ensure and guarantee the continuation of the existing system.”
Pashinyan told the newspaper, adding that his goal is not to become prime minister, but
Bringing real changes to Armenia. The newspaper writes that “Pashinyan
there is something populist in it”, and a quote with Pashinyan last month
Arrested “Civil Contract” member Ararat Mirzoyan’s definition that:
“he is not a populist, he is popular.”

The New York Times, columnist Neil MacFarquhar, presenting
His meeting with Nikol Pashinyan and his biography, he notes that
“velvet” revolution in the South Caucasus approximately 2.8 million
the largest population in this small landlocked country
change since the declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991
after. In the sequel, he writes: “If it is at least surprising for many Armenians,
that their country was transformed overnight, then Mr. Pashinyan that
describes as the culmination of a journey that began 20 years ago.”
Based on the stories of his hero, the columnist refers to the bloody 2008
incidents, hiding from the police for 16 months and being arrested in 2009:
citing Nelson Mandela as his source of inspiration. And in the 1930s
marched across India as a sign of protest against British taxation
Following Gandhi’s example, Pashinyan walked about 120 miles (about 193 km) from Gyumri to
Yerevan: “If we were able to do the impossible, it means we will be able to do it from now on
to do the difficult thing as well”, he ended his article by quoting Pashinyan’s words
McFarquhar.

Prepared by Marina Muradyan