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We have such a situation in Armenia, where legal mechanisms of resolving problems are not actually effective, and citizens’ last resort is to protest against the authorities that are adopting illegal laws, Chairman of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Artur Sakunts told Tert.am addressing to the clashes of Mashtots Avenue that took place yesterday in a march organized by “Tseghakron” party leader Shant Harutyunyan.

“Or else they initiate unlawful actions. A number of examples, including issues of both internal field and policy, can be cited and yesterday’s actions of Shant Harutyunyan, which were preceded by numerous public statements made by him, were his last outcry. It was an example of a typical protest that we, as citizens, are ready to go for a riot as a last resort”, stated Artur Sakunts.

According to the human rights activist, the riot was in line with the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its preamble stipulates that the authorities should not adopt such laws that citizens are compelled to rebellion against them as a last resort.

It is worth noting that yesterday at Mashtots Avenue the Police impeded the procession of Shant Harutyunyan and his supporters to Baghramyan 26, the RA Presidential Palace, which he had claimed would blow up. With such an opinion, Artur Sakunts is unwilling to comment on the lawfulness of the Police initiated actions. According to him, the context of the action and police response to it needs to be understood.

It should be noted that today “Aravot” daily editor Aram Abrahamyan wrote, “In fact, there is no freedom of speech in Armenia: people fear to voice their opinions. I was convinced in it yesterday. Very few people dare to accept that marching with explosives, irrespective of what their aims were and how it was termed(revolution or counterrevolution), is evil and condemnable.  Those making appeal to explode is either a psychopath, an provoker or extremely adventurous.

In response, Artur Sakunts noted he did not accept Aram Abrahamyan’s viewpoint. “With the major problem, one should not poke into minor things, because before the procession Shant Harutyunyan himself stated about the provokers, which served as a legal ground for the Police actions”.

In a talk with Tert.am, Chairman of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary group Levon Zurabyan in fact repeated Sakunts by pointing out, “Everything has been video recorded after all, you have all seen it, the ruling regime has led the country to such a desperate situation that many people do not see any way out except for radical steps to free the country.” According to the MP, first of all the ruling authorizes along with the President are to blame. “When all doors to compete and work are dead closed before citizens, people who may go for radical steps should not surprise us. This is the best description of the ruling regime’s actions”, he noted.

Armenia’s former Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Larisa Alaverdyan, who has repeatedly claimed the citizen has a right to rebel, considers the problem from a different aspect.

“Citizens have the right to riots. But the authorities will quell them. Actions that may lead to violence are not effective in this case. It requires high-level organization,” Ms Alaverdyan said. She is informed of Shant Harutyunyan’s mental disorder. “I am very concerned. I think his relapse coincided with the provocations. I know he is not cooperating with any forces, but he is constantly acting by himself.”

Source: http://www.tert.am/am/news/2013/11/06/larisa-levon-arthur/