FIRST PHASE OF STRUGGLE WAS SUCCESSFUL, NEW PHASE IS UNDERWAY
Interview with Gor Hakobyan, Vice-President of Institute for Democracy
and Human Rights (IDHR)
Q: Gor, the increase in public transportation fare resulted in a great
public outcry, which forced the municipality to relent and reverse
their decision. What do you believe should be the next step? Is the
struggle over or is it just beginning?
A: The targeted first phase of struggle is over, the first objective
achieved and a new phase is underway. Indeed, the process was
participatory, inclusive and uniting. The participants were creating
freely and developing their method of protest and at the same time they
were self-organized; there was a lot of spontaneity in the actions;
there was a great positive energy that was joyful and that for its
part created sympathy among all the layers of the society. The Mayor
relented on his illegal decision in order to stop this unprecedented
wave of social mobilization, so that it would not spread widely
because such self-organized civic movements have the ability to
create among the masses a momentum for fundamental structural and
cultural change that are dangerous and threatening for an unjust,
unfair, closed, oppressive, violence based and bullying systems,
such as the criminal-oligarchic system ruling in Armenia.
Besides, this civic struggle gradually developed from a basic emotional
outburst into a more in-depth outcry to resolve systemic issues,
became self-organized to make room to include new targets for positive
societal change in order to resolve them which the ruling system would
be forced to make additional big concessions. If in the beginning the
talk was merely limited to fare-hike, it step-by-step began to include
the topics of reforming the entire transportation system, including
de-privatization of the network. The demands were based on rule of law
from which spring corresponding liabilities and obligations, democratic
governance and other issues. The continuation of struggle would have
the potential that these issues would become equally important in
public agenda as the demand to pay 100 dram that creates fear among,
and threatens the public authorities. All of this forced the Mayor
of Yerevan to suspend his decision. This phase of the struggle ended
in favor of the public that is led by civic and legal principles and
is its victory. The objective to pay 100 dram has been achieved.
Q: Gor, Every victory brings a state of apathy and passiveness,
what should be done in the second phase of the struggle?
A: Yes, I agree with you. In order for this not to happen, it is
important to be guided by rights based and fundamental principles of
civic struggles from the beginning of the struggle. A rights-based
civic struggle begins with measurable, specific and achievable
objectives based on a vision, and on smart, proactive, principled,
empowering and solidarity/cooperation-based strategies (roadmaps). And
when there is an uneven power relationship between the two sides,
the pre-requisite for the success is to develop the struggle with a
perseverant, determined and intensive tempo, that remains relevant
to its vision, objectives and strategies.
Until we move onto the next phase, I think it is important to make
an assessment and evaluation to understand what has happened, where
we are and where we can go from here. However, in order to continue
the civic struggle it is imperative to respect the above-mentioned
principles, and to shape from this initial wave such sustainable
basic issues that when they become objectives, they are realizable
and can be achieved, and most importantly, those who shape and
participate to realize them, have relevant abilities and skills
and sufficient resources to continue to the end. It is vital that
well though-out strategies are developed and implemented based on
the above fundamentals, that to always systematically evaluate and
learn lessons from the past and base demonstrations and actions on the
outlined strategy. In this process self-consciousness of the involved
societal groups and individuals and formulation of their interests,
their self-organization, as well as the formation of an inclusive
social platform is important. We must understand that in order to
continue with demonstrative outbursts it is imperative to have a well
smart, thought-out, perseverant, determined, principled hard work
that often seems boring, hard and the results are to be seen in long
term. If we can develop such a targeted, strategic road map and thus
mobilize people, we can diminish the risk of apathy and passiveness.
Additionally, when I refer to participants, I don’t mean only the civic
activists; people from all social and societal groups of different
interests and abilities, institutions, groups and so on should also
be included. There is such an opportunity now.
Q: How can this momentum be maintained?
A: I think we can do that through systematic work, freedom of
creativity, mutual respect and empowerment and being guided
by the principal of inclusiveness. The struggle should not be
narrowly-controlled or monopolized in any way; as much as it may
be efficient for some specific actions, in the long-run it creates
self-centered groups that weaken the civic struggle from within.
Q: What was the difference between this struggle and the fight for
Mashtots Park?
A: First let me say that this struggle is the continuation of the civic
struggle of Mashtots Park in 2012 that remained unfinished, did not
continue into further stages. The struggle of those wishing to live in
a society based on rule of law and civic order reached a new quality
with Mashtots Park and continued here. There are many parallels,
but for me the following are the important points: overcoming the
atmosphere of fear and realizing that everything depends on us and
that each of us can and must do all we can to change our lives; the
understanding among individuals and various groups that sovereign
citizens are the source of power and authority and that they dictate
the rules of the game under the constitution. The formulation of
the prevalence of the rule of law and human rights, in this case,
is protection of social rights and its tangible application and
implementation; peaceful, non-violent actions based on civic and
legal principles and civil disobedience; inclusion of various groups
of the society and individuals; struggle based on co-operation and
solidarity; and of course the positive and creative energy. One more
important point; unlike the 2012 struggle for Mashtots Park, this time
in this phase it was an achievement that the public officials did not
cross the line of their authorities stated in the Constitution, and
publicly announced that they do not have the authority to interfere
in matters that are within the competence of the mayor’s office. This
is an achievement; and a very important step, the continuation of
which, from the cultural and structural point of view, will bring
about positive change. The public was able to impose its will that
no one is above the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.
Q: Gor, do you think we should concentrate on a single issue or
should we also struggle against increase of electricity and natural
gas fees because many people assume this to be an action against
Mayor Taron Margaryan?
A: As I said earlier, the struggle can develop in different directions,
depending on how various groups of the society can formulate achievable
and realistic objectives and what their priorities are and based on
those objectives and relevant strategies the struggle will take a
different direction.
For me personally, as a citizen and a civic activist and the
Vice-President of IDHR, it is a priority that finally we as citizens
and civil society, through our smart and well-thought civic struggle
successfully meet the challenge of making REALLY functional the culture
and mechanisms of accountability and responsibility of those in charge,
both public and private, individual and/or institutions to comply with
their obligations in accordance with the constitution and human rights;
and I will use all my energy to contribute to the implementation of
that objective.
Siranuysh Papyan 15:25 31/07/2013 Story from Lragir.am News: