Armenia needs internal de-escalation

The systemic crisis facing Armenia and the internal political impasse require urgent solutions and a clear roadmap for internal de-escalation.

1. There is NO political life in Armenia. We should not pretend that we have a political process, or let’s say a political institution, NA, where a political process will take place. When an entire faction is simply banned in front of the whole world, and Tsarukyan, campaigning with the slogan of internal solidarity, is arrested, when the prisons are full of political prisoners, what kind of political process can we talk about?

2. There IS a prison in Armenia, and there ARE serious risks for Armenia.

3. There is NO post-election calm in Armenia.

4. There IS an extremely divided society in Armenia.

5. There is NO feeling of a united ship in Armenia and NO united perception of upcoming risks.

6. There IS widespread uncertainty in Armenia, regardless of electoral affiliation.

7. There is NO rational understanding in Armenia (not even the realization of its necessity) on how to face the most serious problems that depend on us and do not depend on us, which we will all face in the nearest future.

8.     There IS a general stalemate in Armenia: within the country, in the economy, in relations with neighbors, in relations with the West, in relations with Russia.

9. There is an urgent need in Armenia to get the country out of the deadlock.

How?

Step one

De-escalation within the country. Open the doors of prisons. All those illegally imprisoned must return to normal life. Stop repression.

Step two

Stop all those actions that are unnatural and disrupt normal life. For example, to restore the unhindered work of institutions owned by Tsarukyan, to allow ordinary people to return to normal life (there is a long list of other such examples).

Step three

Stop the hate speech, cursing and threats towards each other. This should become the new public norm and apply to all parties.

Step four

Start an inter-constituency dialogue.

Step five

The public and political elites should send correct and balanced messages to the society, they should understand the interest of the country and the real situation.

Step six

We must be ready for Caucasian peace, for that we must be literate and rational. Not being ready for peace in the Caucasus is the biggest risk.

Step seven

Start a process of civilized discussions on the main issues within the country. It will not be easy in today’s conditions, but it is the way to face the dangers and internal healing. (International experience shows that it usually starts with mediation).

Step eight

Everything should be done so that after the next elections (it doesn’t matter if they will be in a year, three, five or a half), the political forces congratulate each other. This should be made a national goal. This will lead to a serious recovery of the society. But to achieve this, the first step must be taken today. stop detentions, open the doors of prisons, so that all those illegally imprisoned return to normal life.

Vahe Hovhannisyan

Alternative projects group

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