In Defense of Heritage
Raffi Hovannisian, Opposition Protest Presidential Elections, Matenadaran, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2003
Following on from what appears to be the continuing persecution of Raffi Hovannisian as we enter pre-election year in Armenia, it seems only right to post the following press release from his newly founded Heritage party. Given that this is not the first time that “undesirables” have faced eviction from their premises, and that this is just one in a series of incidents experienced by Hovannisian and even his wife, it seems particularly relevant given news of the MCA compact signed in Washington yesterday.
IN DEFENSE OF HERITAGE
Since March 4, 2006, Chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian of the Heritage Party and the staff of its central office have been forcibly denied the right of entry into their own place of work, which under the existing contract is theirs until June of this year.
Considering this to be a flagrant infringement, on the part of the incumbent presidency and its ruling clique, of fundamental civil liberties and political freedoms, MP and chairman of the National Democrats’ Alliance Arshak Sadoyan has launched an initiative whereby he has petitioned all political parties in Armenia as well as institutions that are interested in the establishment of democracy in the Republic to raise their voice of protest against this blatant lawlessless.
The authors of this initiative declare that the letter is open to all political forces and public and private organizations which choose to demonstrate their solidarity on this matter.
OPEN LETTER TO ARMENIA’S CITIZENS AND ALL INSTITUTIONS INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN THE REPUBLICOn March 4, 2006, a criminal break-in took place at the premises which Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian has been leasing for more than 12 years. Without advance notice on legal warrant, the lock of the Heritage Party headquarters’ main outer door was smashed and replaced with another.
As a result, the chairman of the Heritage Party and the staff of its central office have been forcibly denied the right of entry into their own place of work, which under the existing contract is theirs until June of this year. The absolute closure of access to Heritage’s official seal, documents, computers, and means of telecommunication has brought the party’s activities to a standstill, paralyzing the regular contact between its headquarters and regional offices.
Raffi Hovannisian and the executive board of the Heritage Party have issued formal and telephonic petitions to Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepian, and Police Chief Haik Harutiunian regarding this unlawful act. No response, explanation, or comment has been received to date from the law enforcement bodies.
In fact, the constitutional order has once again been violated in Armenia. A leading opposition party that has stood out of late with its civic and public initiatives has effectively and illegally been shut down. We consider this to be a flagrant infringement, on the part of the incumbent presidency and its ruling clique, of fundamental civil liberties and political freedoms.
We demand that the Armenian authorities reopen the Heritage Party headquarters immediately and implement measures guaranteeing its normal, unfettered, and secure operations.
Forum of Intellectuals of Armenia
National Democrats’ Alliance
Republic Party
National Rebirth Party
National Democratic Union
New Times Party
Social Democrat Hnchak Party
Social Democratic Party of Armenia
Social Ecological Party of Armenia
Democratic Motherland Party
Motherland and Pride Union
National Unity Mission Party
Armenian Arian Union
Armenian Center for Cultural Assistance and Strategy
“Human Rights 96” NGO
“The Officer’s Pride” NGO
Anti-globalists’ Union
“People are the Country’s Owners” Union
Armenian Arian Union?
Comment by artyom — March 29, 2006 @ 2:37 am
Right. Hardly the nicest or most democratic of guys, but I suppose you can’t restrict who signs a letter in your defense. For example, Larisa Alaverdyan, then human rights ombudsperson came out in support fo Avetisyan not because she liked him, but because of the way the law is supposed to work to settle problems in society. Still, I’m interested to note that the supposed party of social and historical justice, the ARF-D, are nowhere in sight.
Comment by Onnik — March 29, 2006 @ 9:04 am
Why doesn’t Raffi Hovannisian contact fellow diasporan Vartan Oskanian for help? Okay, he’s the Foreign Minister and officially does not get involved in domestic matters, but he should have some sort of influence and be able, at least partly, to resolve this matter.
Don’t expect the ARF to get involved in this struggle, by the way. Or in much of anything that does not serve the Kocharian Administration’s interests.
Comment by Christian — March 29, 2006 @ 10:57 am
this is really a shame. what are the kocharities thinking? and i guess you can get all the support you an, even if it means loonies.
Comment by artyom — March 29, 2006 @ 7:23 pm
:-(
Comment by Onnik — March 29, 2006 @ 7:57 pm
Garo, for the simple reason that in most countries you should not have to rely on using influence in government to get what the law and constitution allows you by right. Basically, Hovannisian has applied to those people directly responsible for ensuring that the law functions in Armenia. That it doesn’t is true enough, but it’s about time people stopped using “contacts” to protect rights they’re automatically entitled to.
Besides, Carolann Najarian requested assistance from Oskanian for her case which was apparently given, but which didn’t result in anything happening. Likewise, if the premature closure of Hovannisian’s office was a political order then it came from people more powerful than Oskanian. The only way Hovannisian can settle this is by a) appealing to those responsible for ensuring the rule of law functions in Armenia, b) going to court, and c) making damn sure all those interested in the democratization process in Armenia know about it.
Otherwise, expect far worse as the 2007 parliamentary elections approach.
Comment by Onnik — March 30, 2006 @ 2:06 am