0 8000 12 11

The families of soldiers deceased while serving inthe army during peacetime and a number of nonprofit organizations haves signed the following statement:

During the last week, the Government of the Republic of Armenia, primarily the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, General-Lieutenant Vladimir Gasparyan, have launched an active attack against civil groups, which have been initiating protests, statements, and other legal methods to express their grievance over the murders, assaults and the general unhealthy, moral and psychological atmosphere in the army.

The unleashed attack against civil society institutions and public activists manifested itself during the Haylur News Program on Octber 16th. Specifically the news report mentioned the funding sources and leaders of two human rights organizations, Asparez Journalists’ Club and Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor. The reporter tried to discredit their human rights’ activities, while the General-Lieutenant V.Gasparyan threatened that if their activity related to the armycontinues, it will be viewed as an infringementupon the army and will be given a legal solution. It should be noted that the Government of the Republic of Armenia is the greatest recipient of foreign financial aid in the Republic of Armenia (according to the RA Law on the RA 2010 State Budget, the investment from external sources to cover the state budget deficit is approximately 94 billion drams), while its expenses and results are not equally transparent.

It is unfortunate that the government of a country that is currently in a wartime situation, is trying to silence the people who are speaking up against crimes, instead of adequately responding to the phenomena threatening our security, eliminating army crimes, and taking steps towards revealing those guilty of crimes and punishing them.This puts into question their political will to resolve the current problems in the army.

We consider the threats from the authorities to be threats against the human rights organizations and the Army in Reality Civil Movement and a manifestation of gross violations of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. This is a threat towards us individually and towards other citizens of the Republic of Armenia and an infringement on our national security.

Public Associations:

“Army in Reality” Initiative Group

Sona Ayvazyan, “Transparency International Anticorruption Center” NGO
Natalia Martirosyan, “Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly Committee in Armenia” NGO
Izabella Sargsyan,“Youth For Democracy” NGO
Zhanna Aleksanyan, “Journalists for Human Rights” NGO
Seda Melikyan, “Advocates for Human Rights” NGO
Avetik Ishkhanyan, “Helsinki Committee of Armenia” NGO
Lala Aslikyan, “Huys”(Hope) NGO
Arpine Galfayan, “Institute for Democracy and Human Rights” NGO
Marine Manucharyan, “Civic Forum” NGO
Mikayel Danielyan, “Helsinki Association” NGO

Families of Deceased Soldiers:

Tsovinar Nazaryan, sister of the deceased officer of the RA AF, Artak Nazaryan
Hasmik Hovhannisyan, the mother of the deceased officer of the RA AF, Artak Nazaryan
Nana Muradyan, the mother of the deceased serviceman of the RA AF, Valeriy Muradyan
Anahit Mkrtchyan, the mother of the deceased serviceman of the RA AF,Arayik Avetisyan,
Gohar Sargsyan, the mother of the deceased serviceman of the RA AF, Tigran Ohanjanyan
Suren Ohanjanyan, the father of the deceased serviceman of the RA AF, Tigran Ohanjanyan

Source: http://www.a1plus.am