Category: 2022

Armenian MP Lilit Galstian of the opposition Hayastan bloc urged the OSCE Minsk Group mediators to reaffirm their commitment to resume negotiations on a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the principle of self-determination in her remarks at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Tuesday. Her full statement is provided below.

“Honorable president, dear colleagues,

Armenia acceded to the OSCE motivated by the goals and purposes of the Organization, as well as by the principles of the UN charter.

We were convinced that our commitment is being shared by all member countries and double standards have no place in an organization with an undeniable reputation.

Regrettably, this reputation was shattered when faced with the reality – the OSCE was unable to condemn the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan and Turkey and its backed terrorist fighters in the fall of 2020. It remained silent to the racially motivated crimes by Azerbaijan with the use of chemical weapons and cluster munitions against the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The 9 November ceasefire stopped the bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh, but contrary to the Azerbaijani claims, the conflict is not over. In fact, the security challenges in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have increased, and are no less important than those in the Eastern Europe.

During the so-called peace time the Armenian side has had more than 120 casualties, Azerbaijan is repeatedly making territorial claims against Armenia, conducting a policy of ethnic cleansing, misappropriation and destruction of cultural and historical monuments, and continuing the aggressive rhetoric and hatred towards Armenia and Armenians.

No one should be under any illusion that the results of the use of force could ever become the basis for sustainable peace. Any agreement under force and against the will of the people cannot guarantee against new confrontations and aggression. The right of an entire nation to life and self-determination cannot be sacrificed to geopolitical or economic interests. It cannot be held hostage to discord between any regional or global actors. Armenians, that have survived the first genocide in the 20th century have vivid memories of the dire consequences of such calculations.

The Co-Chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group should reaffirm their commitment to resume negotiations on a comprehensive resolution of the conflict based on the principle of self-determination.”

Members and supporters of the opposition resistance movement held a march in support of Armenia’s Constitution in Yerevan on 5 July marked as Constitution Day in the country.

The protesters headed towards the Constitutional Court holding posters that read “Arrests can't intimidate us!”, “No to dictatorship!", "Freedom to political prisoners!", “Armenia is a country of political prisoners” and the like, as well as a large model of the Constitution in chains. Also, they held photos of scores of arrested opposition activists.

Speaking to reporters at the march, ARF activist Sevak Nazaryan accused the current authorities of repeatedly violating the Constitution and seizing the country’s supreme court.

"The incumbent authorities have been trampling and distorting the Constitution in an effort to maintain their grip on power,” he said.

Members and supporters of the opposition resistance movement left a large model of the Constitution in chains and pens outside the Constitutional Court of Armenia while protesting near the top court building on July 5 marking Constitution Day.

"We are leaving pens here which are a symbol of the violation of constitutionalism,” ARF activist Sevak Nazaryan announced, recalling that Hrayr Tovmasyan was ousted as the top court chairman after the story of an “expensive pen” which he allegedly gifted Nikol Pashinyan.

Addressing the protest, MP Aram Vardevanyan accused the incumbent authorities of ignoring and violating the Constitution.

“They have no idea what the Constitution is and they don't even want to know it," Vardevanyan said, adding it is possible to defend the Constitution only by fighting.

The opposition protesters next marched to the presidential palace and left cucumbers outside it.

"Although the president should be engaged in protecting the Constitution, he is the representative of vegetable crops in Armenia, as he does nothing and carries out the orders of one person. We have brought him this vegetable as a symbol of his inaction," Nazaryan noted.

The demonstrators threw cucumbers on the ground and marched to the Armenian parliament.

The preliminary court hearings on producer Armen Grigoryan's case have been scheduled for July 15, lawyers Ruben Melikyan and Armen Mashinyan said in a statement on Tuesday.

They will be held at the Kentron residence of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction. The case has been assigned to judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan.

Armen Grigoryan was arrested on 17 May on charges of “humiliating national dignity” of the residents of Shirak and Ararat Provinces and questioning their national identity in various interviews.

“Under the new Criminal Procedure Code, the measure of restraint, among other things, will be discussed at the preliminary court hearings," the statement reads.