Susanna Sargsyan, the first woman freedom-fighter (participant in the Nagorno-Karabakh war) and one of the first hunger-strikers as far back as 1988, told Tert.am that a group of women freedom-fighters plan to hold a march from Freedom Square to the Armenian president’s residence, on Tuesday.
“We have run out of patience. We are starting a struggle as mothers, as women freedom-fighters. We have reached a point when children are losing touch with their parents. We have reached the poverty line when we cannot stand it any longer,” Ms Sargsyan said.
As regard the possibility of hostilities and President Serh Sargsyan’s decree mustering up military doctors, she said:
“Freedom-fighters are always ready to defend Armenia. But we must not pin our hopes on Serzh Sargsyan. He has not honored his commitments to the citizens.”
Asked about society’s attitude to freedom-fighters, Ms Sargsyan said that “the Republic” means “Armenia” and “Armenia’s people” for her.
“It is disrespect for freedom-fighters. It means that the word ‘freedom-fighter’ does not mean anything for them,” she said.
Several times a year, high-ranking officials visit the Yerablur pantheon. “Their visits are disrespect for freedom-fighters as well. They are defiling the memory of our companions-in-arms. Our perished friends do not need flowers,” Ms Sargsyan said.
The Armenian MP Samvel Alexanyan, who is affiliated with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), is implementing a construction project at the Yerablur pantheon.
“He cannot do anything good. We can only expect bad. A person that dares desecrate freedom-fighters’ tombs will be punished severely. The authorities are mocking at the people, at the freedom-fighters that sacrificed their lives for the homeland,” the woman said.
According to her, it is only the people that must support freedom-fighters in their struggle. No political organizations must be recognized. The authorities have left nothing for the people. They have forced the people to borrow money to flee the country.
“I am struggling for the people. It is not only a matter of women freedom-fighters or democracy. I am speaking as a citizen of Armenia,” Ms Sargsyan said.
“Present-day Armenia is far from the Armenia of my dream. We want see Armenia crowded with Armenians, but we cannot,” she said.
With respect to the planned march, Ms Sargsyan stressed freedom-fighters’ determination “for Armenian citizens’ voice to be heard throughout the world.”
“We would rather die than lie on the ground with our backbones broken. We are not slaves to wait for being beaten.”