Author: Hambardsumian Paul

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

Analytical

MARCH 18, 2018 

Today for every reasonable person
it is obvious that our state is in deep crisis. ARF representative a few days ago
Armen Rustamyan, speaking at the National Assembly, called the situation in the country a “nightmare”
gave the description. And, indeed, the population of Armenia is in a state of alarm,
in a state of despair, hopelessness, which seems like mental peace
be the interpretation of the terrifying dreams of a lost person. Independence Quarter
century was enough time for the public to avoid such a prospect,
and Armenia would meet the minimum conditions to be called a state. However
instead of all that today, a solid representative of the hundred-year-old party
from the lips we hear a definition with which it is impossible to disagree.

Regardless of the availability of such an estimate, today
many citizens ask questions: who is to blame for the situation in the country?
why did it happen, how to get out of these political and economic crises and?
etc. Certainly, such questions are also asked by those who talk about the nightmare
the deputy, his party friends, the ruling party, RPA, as well as the opposition party
representatives of units, officials of different caliber. State present
and their concern for the future seems to be genuine. But only the first
it is from the look. Reality is completely inconsistent with ours
to the ideas, because of the role and significance of the state, its own in the state
the perception of place and position among those people is completely different. To understand it
so it is enough to follow the thoughts of the deputy who openly expresses himself
is about the public nightmare.

Speaking from the NA podium in defense of RA
presidential candidate Armen Sargsyan (who was elected hours after Rustamyan’s speech
in that important position), the politician representing the ARF considered it necessary
to defend Sargsyan to claim the highest state position in the country
the right to be elected. According to Rustamyan, we are dealing with Armen Sargsyan
specifically with an Armenian man who expressed his desire to strengthen the country, however
instead of supporting it, many cite some legal restrictions
and definitions that do not allow the given person to be elected as the President of the Republic of Armenia
in office. According to the ARF deputy, the RA Constitution, laws,
various types of documents prescribed to fulfill the requirements of the legislation
are of secondary importance compared to the individual of the Armenian nation who fills the country
with the determination to strengthen. According to Rustamyan, “Let’s give the person a chance instead, good
we wish to march, we show reluctance. Now there is one – that person is us
will lead, the Bible says: really pray for your master, because
He decides your fate, no matter how bad he is, but it’s in his hands
to be the “yes” and “no”, “right” and “wrong” of this country
lever. Let’s make it so that that person can do it in a good mood
to come in and get the country out of this difficult psychological situation…”

Illegal persons around us today
the neglect of the activity is done from these same positions. In corruption
the hundreds of soaked officials, influencing the electoral process
the authorities, the nimble persons arranging their lives under the roof of the oligarchy
are the same Armenian people who “their skills and abilities
want to invest” in the welfare of the state and society. Aren’t they?
they have education, knowledge, years of experience and, after all, they are Armenian people. Whether a judge or a police officer, a tax inspector or a senior professional, they work according to
of their abilities and capabilities, want to see empowered
their state, but sometimes allow illegal acts because
that legalese is just a piece of paper, some law that matters
giving, should the environment have to give up these people’s patriotism?
from the service.

According to Rustamyan’s logic, it is obvious that if
In the case of the RA presidential candidate, the Constitution is just a piece of paper
the criminal code also needs a piece of paper for the prosecutor and the police
be considered, it cannot be otherwise. And, therefore, the prosecutor without any conscience
a thief can take a bribe, and a policeman can torture the inept, the smart ones
allowing them to pay for their crimes
not suffer or suffer a punishment totally inadequate to the criminal act. All this
philosophy, in fact, not two fundamentals of the legal state
It is a violation of the principles of rule of law and equality before the law
implies, but in general rejection of the law and the state.

It seems that the author of my lines is not the person who
should explain to Armen Rustamyan that the state has two pillars,
without which there cannot be any kind of state. Without the law and without
any public-political organization of the court loses state
its essence of being a structure. Be it a dictatorship or an oligarchy, a monarchy,
or a republic, all operate under laws that serve their own group interests
and under the court. However, only the Armenian representing the centenary party
in the speech of a politician, one can come across the absurdity according to which the law
it’s just a piece of ordinary paper, compared to which an Armenian with the desire to strengthen the country
the individual has priority.

The Constitution of the people, qualified as a “piece of paper”.
it is the expression of the will raised to the level of law. RA in the Basic Law
defining the separate censors and election procedure for the presidential candidate
the provisions are one of the concrete manifestations of that will, and any Armenian individual, be he
kind, smart, good guy, have beautiful eyes, powerful connections, accumulated billions,
be a superman or ignited by a burning desire to build the state,
all the same, he cannot oppose his individual will to the will of all of us
thus replacing an entire state.

The judgments presented above can
to raise specific questions. That is, if some individual, the law “on a piece of paper”
turning, assumes the position of RA president and thereby makes it null and void
the existence of the state, and the political units vote for it, then how?
is that despite the degree of decline and the current crisis, on the international stage
the activity is carried out by the Republic of Armenia. How do they work?
the newly elected president Armen Sargsyan, the administration of Serzh Sargsyan and the RPA
led by the key players in the political life of the state:
the parties are led by the ARF, the state bodies are the same
along with corrupt judges and prosecutors, etc.

The NA gives a very clear answer to these questions
Deputy Armen Rustamyan in his speech in question: the situation created in the country
describing a nightmare. The faces talking about the decline and crisis of the country today
they have been doing that for a long time, which deepens the same decline, crisis and
turns the state into a nightmare. And they do it with absolute cynicism, destroying
the state from the foundation, turning the law into a “piece of paper”. The country is engulfed in crisis
the irony that has come to all of us is that the MP speaks from the podium
from the scourge raging in the state and the fight against it, of the state
from being, from the fourth republic, from the institution of the president, not to see
giving the fact that he is the author and perpetrator of the nightmare, because of the state
by denying the existence of law in life, he is the one who opens the door to the unfolding of the nightmare
the field, it is he who destroys the state and all the institutions in it.

Today, all the deputies of the National Assembly are many
they know what they are doing. in their opinion, the role of the state and
the significance is only to create a foothold for themselves in that state and
it is an opportunity to escape two pennies in the current stateless relations
the belief in fixing their positions. There is fertile soil for that, rooted in us
the realization that customary settings and traditional household
relationships have priority over the state. What state?
law, what kind of state court, if “that person is going to lead us”, and if?
In this regard, even the Bible says: “indeed pray for your Lord,
because he decides your fate, no matter how bad he is, but his
“yes” and “no”, “right” and “wrong” of this country will be in his hands. the important thing
that our master is an Armenian man, and for that we should already give glory to God.

Saro Saroyan