How the word "democracy" is understood in Armenia
By Laman Sadigova
The people of Armenia need freedom and democracy as much as ever, but see their survival only in fleeing to other countries.
Armenian activists attempting to protest government policy and Sargsyan's regime, which has led the country into a desperate situation, have faced strong critical fate.
Any attempts by the authorities to change the direction of this post Soviet country have resulted in failure, as democracy has stagnated, failing to altering the political system or carry out reforms. Anyone who criticizes or protests against the government is forced to run and hide.
Armenian publicist, writer and social activist Vahe Avetyan was not afraid to express to the Azerbaijani people his condolences in February 2015 in connection with the genocide in Khojaly, committed by Armenian vandals in 1992. However, his action caused the Armenian special services to begin to threaten him with violence.
Avetyan was focused on exposing the criminal regime of Sargsyan.
Later, he left the country hoping that he would find a safe place abroad. However, despite the fact that the activist – well known for being an implacable activist against Serzh Sargsyan’s regime now – lives in Sweden, he does not feel safe.
This is not the first time that Armenian activists who fight against the current government have exposed themselves to real danger. Armenia is a country with a high level of corruption, baseless trials for citizens, human rights violations, abuse of official positions etc.
In an interview, Avetyan said that the only purpose of the constitutional amendments implemented by Sargsyan is to trick people by creating the appearance of work.
He also said that the Armenian president and his nearest accomplices should be arrested and sent to recover destroyed lands.
He said that anyone who would be able to arrest Sargsyan should become an alternative to him. All other constitutional changes, players and officials cannot change the current situation.
Despite this, Avetyan does not have an intention to return to Armenia, all activist’s property has been destroyed and now he is not welcomed there.
Another politician protester, Vahan Martirosyan, the head of the National Liberation Movement, who has asked the Azerbaijani government for a political asylum, suffered through such a sudden incident when his 68-year-old mother was hit by a car in an intersection on the morning of October 7.
He says that this is a logical continuation of the way the Armenian authorities and law enforcement agencies act.
Armenia is a country that has completely destroyed the real opposition in the country.
Indeed, the notion of “democracy” is too strange to Armenia when its government is openly ruining the very idea of it.
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Follow Laman Sadigova on Twitter: @s_laman93
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