March 1, 2008

Heritage Condemns

With a brutality that is characteristic of the incumbent Armenian authorities and in plain violation of the provisions laid down by the country’s constitution and the international Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the police, in the early hours of March 1, attacked the peaceful protesters of Liberty Square. They violently dispersed the thousands of citizens who have been rallying there for the past ten days. According to the preliminary reports, there are several casualties and countless more missing persons.

The Heritage party deplores this vile modus operandi by which communication with the people is had solely through brute force. The rulers of today have once again placed themselves beyond the law and established their tyranny to the entire world.

The disgraceful presidential elections, recently held with an unprecedented number of legal violations, has been followed by an act that is equally disgraceful: a crime which the current administration committed directly against its own people. In view of this tragedy, it would be meaningless now to speak about the establishment of a legitimate presidential institution in Armenia. It is beyond any doubt that such atrocious methods of governance will bring forth substantial problems for a country that must face important domestic problems and foreign challenges.

Against the backdrop of the ruling administration’s appeals for collaboration—appeals which were made to their “brothers and sisters” assembled at Liberty Square—this abhorrent action stands also as a vivid example of the ethical double-standards by which the current administration is governed.

Heritage urges the free citizens of Armenia to stand firm against brutal force and to continue their fight for civil rights and human dignity. Our country deserves a legitimate government that enjoys public trust. Our shared spiritual desire and our just struggle will ultimately give birth to such a government.

March 1, 2008, 12pm
Yerevan