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Our interlocutor is Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor, human rights activist Artur Sakunts.

Mr. Sakunts, do you consider the protest of December 2, which was directed against Serzh Sargsyan’s decision to join the Customs Union a success? 

A constant attempt is made to term December 2 protest action as an action against Putin’s visit, in the event that all of the statements were made against Armenia’s annexation to the Customs Union, the decision regarding it was unanimously taken by two persons, one of them being Russia’s dictator, who forces the other to obey him through threats and reach such a decision.  Those two met each other through space and time and it is crucial so that those two know that it was solely their decision and not the RA’s. Thus, it was illegitimate president Serzh Sargsyan’s regular illegitimate act. Besides, it is important for us to show that people in Armenia are against the process of accession to the Customs Union. The impression that the pro-governmental media outlets aimed to create that as if silence was a sign of agreement, that intention was shattered.  Besides, at Vilnius summit Armenia’s issue was not that it had decided not to sign, since the Ukraine had also taken such a decision, but at Vilnius summit  Ukraine was in the limelight, because people in Ukraine had stood up and was rebelling against that decision and moreover, incessantly. It means, we were neglected there and the negligence was contingent upon the absence of a civil rebellion in Armenia.  Through this action the dull and monotonous image that exists about Armenia was eliminated, and everyone showed a completely different Armenia which is called Armenia struggling for civil rights and statehood. Up until the last moment they tried to discredit in every possible way as if it would worsen and impact on Armenian-Russian friendship, and mass media outlets, serving as the microphone for the Government, were supporting it by giving various assessments to the action. But December 2 showed a different Armenia, one that does not belong to Serzh. Of course, it was not as much as in Euromaidan but it does not mean that those who did not partake did not have complaints or agreed with accession to the Customs Union.

There is an issue of overcoming courage and fear, which are not yet resolved in the RA. The next factor is that actually except for two minority political forces, other factions neither expressed any disposition regarding accession to the Customs Union, nor supported the action.   They concealed their own irresponsibility as if the action was directed against another country’s president, which is obviously a lie, an evident distortion. It turns out that they are not against Serzh Sargsyan’s decision to join the Customs Union but his being the president. When we speak of the orientation of Serzh Sargsyan as a non-legitimate president in the field of foreign policy, which is of crucial importance for the home system, they surprisingly keep silent, whereas, they act very actively regarding Serzh Sargsyan’s decisions intended for internal use, thus, the selective approach is very apparent and the major challenge is neglected, which is approved by the non-legitimate president and a decision is made to annex the state to a system which is the greatest challenge for the home system.

There is an opinion that the action went unorganized, on the other hand there were too many apprehended persons. What is it conditioned by? 

First of all, it should be recorded that during Shant Harutyunyan’s protest action 20 out of 40 people were apprehended, hence, their number was then greater, almost half of the protestors were apprehended, this was also an unprecedentedly large number, 14 are in custody and criminal cases have been lodged. Besides, it was contingent upon several factors: firstly, the Police lies stating that the note regarding the assembly had been sent electronically, whereas, it had been personally handed to the Police, the latter called the organizer and told the name of the responsible.  Knowing that it was totally in line with the law, they still claim it being illegal. Secondly, all those reasons, according to which, the public order had been violated by illegal conduct, approaches and actions, and for that they are now trying to bring justifications. Thirdly, a clear political order had been given not to show the public protest, prevent its reaching to those, who were both responsible for such an anti-state decision. The apprehension and isolation of such a great number of citizens and their detention more than 3 hours, as well as apparent violence against the journalists-all this speaks of one thing: an order was issued to suppress and prevent the protest action, but it failed.

What measures should be undertaken in this case?

Our issue is to show the CU’s threats. The first serious threat was HayRusGazard’s 20% rate rise, we find ourselves in a worsening situation from monetary standpoint. Our main issue is to first of all raise public awareness regarding the serious dangers we will face after the process of accession to the CU and the chances we were deprived of. It means we not only should speak to people about the phenomenon, but to show its actual essence. Certain change among the intellectuals is also of crucial importance, December 2 was the day when the humiliation actually became apparent before everyone’s eyes, it can be concealed by no means, but its impact on people will increase with time.

Do you see prerequisites for the formation of a new force? Do you expect a new initiative?  

Initiatives are still expected, they are unavoidable, since sacred space never remains vacant. This is the challenge when not seeing adequate actions in the field, attempts should definitely be made to resolve the issue. I think most probably there will be a reunion of already existing political forces not through reunion of leaders but through reunion of politicians from the political field. This will entail the reunion of certain political leaders. The fact of selecting a completely new format is more possible and I believe the outlined contour is underway… participants, individuals and persons should take the right step in the right time in the right place. I do not think any major event will occur before New Year, but 2014 will definitely be a year of changes.

The level of citizens’ awareness is very low and they should not be blamed, TV companies do not at all engage in raising awareness over contextual significance and there are more of superficial approaches.

Source: http://www.lragir.am/index/arm/0/interview/view/92077