Yerevan, Protest Fallout: Human rights activists condemn police brutality, presence of plainclothes officers

June 23, 2015 By administrator

Human rights activists have condemned the Armenian police for using force and special means to clear the site of a demonstration in central Yerevan’s Baghramyan Avenue this morning, saying that the actions of law-enforcement bodies were unlawful.

In videos spread by different media sources it is clearly seen that police workers dressed as civilians attack protesters after the water cannon is applied and remove them from the sight dragging and swearing at them, applying force.

Human rights activists consider actions by plainclothes police officers to be unlawful. They say that the police have no right to get in contact with the citizens without a uniform and a police badge.

“It is forbidden by law and it is an obvious illegality, because during a public event police staff must be in uniforms, visible so that their actions are understood. If police dressed as civilian are used, it means the police have a predisposed attitude toward the protest,” the head of the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly Artur Sakunts told ArmeniaNow.

Lawyer Yervand Varosyan, who spent the night at the site, said that he would not distinguish the actions of the police in uniform and those dressed as civilians.

“All their actions were illegal, they acted unlawfully and disproportionately,” Varosyan said.

In a statement the Police said that “in the given situation the police applied force based on Article 34 of the Armenian Law on Freedom of Assembly, according to which when the protest is not willing to cease the police disperses the protest.”

Meanwhile, Rights and Freedom center president, human rights activist Vardan Harutyunyan said: nobody had the right to apply force against peaceful protesters, the protest was within law and nobody broke laws.

“Plainclothes police act as common provocateurs, as was the case with Shant Harutyunyan. In one case they are police, in another – provocateurs, the same pack of wolves, but in different time periods, playing different roles and this part was illegal,” Harutyunyan told ArmeniaNow.

Political analyst Styopa Safaryan said that after the 2008 post-election protest crackdown changes were made in the law about the police, because the quelling of those riots were the precedent.

“We made it into law that they have to act in police uniforms, but the Armenian police constantly violate the law. This is a very serious problem; the police do not realize what responsibility they are getting under. In a situation like this many unpleasant events might happen and they might be carried out by others, because the police actions open up room for criminal actions,” Safaryan told ArmeniaNow.

Yerevan, Over 200 detained after electricity hike rally dispersed in Yerevan

June 23, 2015 By administrator

Over 200 people, including journalists, have been taken to police stations following the dispersal of a demonstration in downtown Yerevan, Union of Informed Citizens NGO said in a statement, according to Panorama.am.

Some of the citizens were taken to police stations of the cities of Abovyan and Ashatrak as Yerevan police stations are overcrowded, the statement notes.

Reporters of GALA TV, Haykakan Zhamanak daily, and websites News.am, PanARMENIAN.Net and Hetq.am are among those taken to police stations. Many citizens received injuries, with some of them being hospitalized, according to the statement.

In the last two hours the rapid response group of Armenian Ombudsman Office has been visiting various police stations and Yerevan hospitals where protesters were taken.

Also, twenty-five people were taken to different medical institutions of Armenia in the wake of the overnight clashes that followed the protest against the power hike.

Following the overnight clashes that saw the police officers use force against young activists campaigning against the power hike, Tert.am has sought comments from parliamentarians as to the proportionality and adequateness of the measures taken.

Tevan Poghosyan, an opposition MP from the Heritage party, says he regrets a lot that the police had to use water spraying cars and resort to physical violence amid the massive protest that continued until midnight.

“The entire process should have pursued a different course. Regretfully enough, the young [activists] were wonderful people, so I hail them and their campaign, as well as their skillfulness to stand up for their rights,” he said.

Poghosyan said he was under the impression that the police behavior was adequate and balanced up until a certain point when the events took an aggressive turn. “They were very disciplined and balanced – at least until the evening – and showing a demonstrated respect for one another. I don’t know what happened or changed that necessitated the use of force. But I really regret.”

In the sporadic march that followed the three-day sit-in in Yerevan’s Liberty Square, police officers negotiated with the protesters for over eight hours, trying to explain the legal ban on sporadic actions lasting more than six hours. The activists, for their part, were urging policemen to switch on the street lighting to prevent a possible provocation. As early as at 5:20 am, the police brought water spraying canons to the scene, and some 237 activists subsequently held.

Nikol Pashinyan of the opposition Armenian National Congress said earlier today (June 23) that the law enforcement authorities have instituted a criminal case to probe into further details.

In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, the Armenian Police tried to justify the reasons behind their actions, citing the law “On Freedom of Assemblies”, as well as the activists’ somewhat indifferent attitude to their repeated calls and requests for accepting the president’s proposal for a meeting.

According to Vahram Baghdasaryan, the leader of the ruling Republican faction in parliament, the police calls and the response by the Presidential Office could have averted the major clashes.

“But the protesters did not want that; hence, naturally, the tough measures could not have been avoided. And the situation was not desirable either for the policemen or the demonstrators or even the presidential administration. But in certain situations, it is impossible to act otherwise,” he said.

Tert.am: ԱԺ-ում մթնոլորտը թեժ է. ընդդիմադիրները պահանջում են բերման ենթարկվածներին ազատ արձակել

Panorama. Over 200 taken to police stations after police disperse demonstration in Yerevan

Tert.am. Power hike protest: Could police have avoided violence?

4 քաղաքացի շարունակում է մնալ վերակենդանացման բաժանմունքում.Panorama.am

18 people affected during Yerevan police crackdown of sit-in

June 23, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN. – Eighteen people were affected during the police crackdown of the sit-in by activists that fight against the decision on electricity price hike in Armenia (PHOTOS).

As a result of the clashes, seven people asked for medical assistance, and three of them were hospitalized, the Police told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In addition, eleven police officers sustained injuries while dispersing the sit-in.

Fortunately, however, the injuries are primarily fractures and scratches, and they are not life-threatening.

The “No to Plunder” initiative had unexpectedly announced, during the June 19 rally against the increase in the price of electricity, that they were starting a three-day sit-in at Liberty Square in downtown capital city Yerevan, and giving the authorities deadline until 7pm Monday, June 22. They stated that if the electricity price-hike decision was not canceled by then, they will head towards the Office of the President, which is located on Baghramian Avenue. Once the deadline had expired, the demonstrators marched towards the avenue. The police, however, blocked Baghramian Avenue, and subsequently, a sit-in was staged on the avenue. On early Tuesday morning, however, the police dispersed the demonstration by using water cannon, and detained many activists and journalists.

Despite numerous protests, the Public Services Regulatory Commission increased the price of electricity in Armenia, and this decision will take effect on August 1. The decision, however, is expected to be followed by an increase in the prices of numerous products and services in the country.

Armenian Police Disperse Crowd Protesting Rise In Power Prices

June 22, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The Armenian police have used force and special means to clear the site of a demonstration in a central Yerevan street after a night of standoff with activists protesting against rising electricity prices.

In the early hours on Tuesday, special police forces used water cannons and other equipment to disperse the crowd of hundreds of protesters who spent more than nine hours seated in the street not far from the presidential compound.

The protesters insisted that their actions were peaceful and demanded that President Serzh Sarkisian revoke the decision made by state regulators to raise electricity prices by 16 percent beginning August 1.

After several warnings that the protest was “unlawful” the police started their operation at around 5:30 am. RFE/RL Armenian Service correspondents witnessed demonstrators being roughed up and chased, with some of them injured in the scuffles.

Many demonstrators were also detained and taken to police stations in vehicles. Among those detained were also some journalists.

A number of media representatives were also subjected to violence during the events. Among them was also an RFE/RL Armenian Service cameraman.

At least one RFE/RL camera used for providing the live streaming of the unfolding drama was broken by the police. Other equipment used by RFE/RL correspondents was also damaged. Senior police officers dismissed their complaints, refusing to provide explanations.

The clashes in Baghramyan Avenue followed three days of protests in a nearby square by activists from the pressure group called No To Plunder.

Late on Monday they tried to stage a march towards the presidential palace, but stopped after encountering a heavy police cordon. They eventually decided to proceed with their sitting strike on the approaches to the thoroughfare.

Meanwhile, groups of citizens also reportedly staged protests against rising electricity prices elsewhere in the country overnight.

Armenia Electricity Price Hike Sparks Sit-In Protest in Yerevan

June 21, 2015 By administrator

Y SEROUJ APRAHAMIAN

From The Armenian Weekly

Protesters vowed to stay put until June 22 (Photo: Serouj Aprahamian)

YEREVAN—Thousands of people gathered in Yerevan’s Liberty Square Friday evening to protest the government’s adoption of a 17 percent rise in electricity rates. What was initially slated as a march in the city center against the price hike turned into an unexpected mass sit-in.

Maxim Sargsyan, a member of the “No to Plunder” civic initiative that organized the protest, stood before the crowd and put forth the following proposition, “We can either go out to march and then disperse back to our homes as usual or we can stay here until Monday, stage a sit-in, and demand a suspension of the illegal price hike.” The demonstrators opted for the latter.

The mostly young protesters could be seen huddled in various groups throughout the square, sitting on carpets, pieces of cardboard, tires, or simply the ground. They held banners reading “High Voltage” and “No to Plunderers” as they chanted “We are the owners of our country.”

Music blared from the podium, playing everything from patriotic songs and traditional Armenian rhythms, to System of a Down and a hip-hop song made specifically for the campaign. Several large circles of traditional Armenian dancing also spontaneously broke ou
Demonstrators vowed to stay in the square until June 22 and declared that they will march to the presidential palace if the price hike is not reversed by then.

The mass sit-in comes on the heels of the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia voting unanimously on June 17 to raise electricity prices from 42 AMD/kWh to 49 AMD/kWh. This is the third consecutive price hike by the government in the last 3 years and the fourth since 2009, making Armenia the country with the highest electricity rates in the region.

Both protesters and members of the government agree that the price increases are due to the mismanagement and indebtedness of RAO Unified Energy Systems (UES), a Russian-owned company that operates Armenia’s power distribution network. The government insists that rates have to be raised in order to ensure that UES gets out of debt and is operational, leaving average citizens and small businesses—that are already overburdened with socio-economic hardship—to foot the bill.

Widespread anger ignited as soon as the proposed price increase was made public early last month. The “No to Plunder” initiative organized a mass rally in Yerevan on May 27, while the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) led a tense demonstration in front of the PRSC building on the day of the vote. They called for the resignation of the head of the regulatory body and demanded to enter the meeting before the vote. One AYF representative was eventually allowed in but news of the unanimously approved price hike was met with demonstrators throwing eggs and tomatoes toward the building. Several protesters were also detained in minor skirmishes with the police.

This current episode is the latest in a string of civic struggles that have arisen over recent years in response to regressive government policies. These struggles have achieved several victories, including the preservation of a waterfall, prevention of illegal construction in a public park, reversing a transportation fee hike, and partially overturning the privatization of the country’s pension system.

Members of the “No to Plunder” initiative repeatedly made reference to these victories, noting that the only way to bring about social change in the country has been grassroots direct action and civic protest—while traditional politics have failed.

“This is the struggle of all Armenian citizens, independent of their political or partisan views,” said “No to Plunder” member Aram Manukyan from the podium. “Taking into account the experiences and successes of past movements, we have concluded that the struggle must be waged on the streets in an organized and united fashion, strictly excluding any dialogue with the authorities.”

As the sit-in went into the night, demonstrators gathered into open assemblies where they discussed issues such as orderliness, keeping the square clean, meeting basic needs, and forming groups of security for the protest. Participants also urged one another to remain peaceful and not engage in any confrontations with the police.

Organizers maintain that they will continue their struggle and use all manner of lawful civil disobedience until the price hike is fully repealed

Yerevan offers its help to Tbilisi in flood relief efforts

June 15, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. Armenia’s premier Hovik Abrahamyan told his Georgian counterpart Irakly Garibashvili on the phone on Sunday that Armenia could provide assistance in the flood relief efforts.

Abrahamyan instructed the minister of territorial administration and emergencies Armen Yeritsyan to continue cooperation with his Georgian colleague to provide help if required, the government press office reported.

Garibashvili thanked Armenia’s premier for the condolences and the readiness to help, according to the report.

A huge flood in the Georgian capital devastated the city on Saturday night leading to some 12 casualties. The floods also hit the city’s zoo and left beasts roaming the streets.

Yerevan hosts pan-European education forum

May 14, 2015 By administrator

A ministerial conference set to discuss the prospect of the European Higher Education Area opened in Yerevan on Thursday, bringing together 500 participants, including delegations from 52 national and 31 international organizations and 31 ministers of education.
The two-day event, which is the Fourth Bologna Policy forum, is being held at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex. Representatives from all the member states of the Bologna Declaration are expected to attend the meeting.
The pan-European education event will be covered by both local and international media outlets. The participants are expected to make key decisions addressing the sector and discuss a wide range of issues. Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan had earlier said that Armenia has done all its best to organize the maximum good reception for the participants.
Armenia joined the Bologna Process at the Bergen Ministerial summit in 2005, becoming actively involved in the activities of both the Bologna Executive Group and its infrastructures. The Bologna Process aims to boost the competitiveness and attractiveness in the education sector, promoting student mobility and increasing employment advantages.
It brings together 45 European countries, 10 advisory organizations and other partner institutions. The process’ main components are three-level degree system, national qualification frameworks, credit transfer and accumulation system, diploma supplement, quality assurance, mutual recognition of degrees and joint degree accreditation.

Video Yerevan: Australian couple Defy Tony Abbott, & John Key, Attend #ArmenianGenocide commemoration

April 24, 2015 By administrator

While Australian and NZ prime minster Deny Armenian Genocide Australian Couple defy Tony Abbott, & John Key, Attend Yerevan #ArmenianGenocide Commemoration

Watch System of a Down’s First Ever Armenian Show 100th Armenian Genocide

April 23, 2015 By administrator

Serj Tankian

Hard rock band closes its Wake Up the Souls Tour with a free show in Yerevan’s Republic Square By Rolling Stone

Update: The show has ended, but the concert can be replayed in the video above.

System of a Down are descended from survivors of the Armenian genocide, and as a band, they have long sought to make people more aware of the massacres and deportations that killed over a million people and dispersed countless more across the globe. Although frontman Serj Tankian has played solo shows within Armenia, “timing or the challenge of investment in infrastructure” has prevented a proper System of Down concert from ever taking place. That changes today, when the band closes its Wake Up the Souls Tour with a free show in the homeland’s capital city.

“In Armenia, our status is unparalleled,” frontman Serj Tankian told Rolling Stone earlier this year. “I don’t want to use any monikers like the Beatles or anything, but it’s a unique kind of thing. So we want to go there and play for the people, which we’ve never done as System of a Down.”

The tour began on April 7th in Los Angeles and memorializes the 1915 genocide on its 100th anniversary. “Part of it is bringing attention to the fact that genocides are still happening, whether you use the word ‘genocide,’ ‘holocaust’ or ‘humanitarian catastrophe,'” Tankian says. “None of that is changing. We want to be part of that change. We want the recognition of the first genocide of the 20th century to be a renewal of confidence that humanity can stop killing itself.”

The band is scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Armenian time – 12:30 p.m. on the U.S.’s East Coast. Watch the entire set in the live stream above.

Yerevan: ARF youth stage sit-in outside Germany embassy in Yerevan

April 10, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN. – Several dozen members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party Youth and “Nikol Aghbalyan” Student Unions are staging a sit-in, on Thursday, outside the German embassy in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

The youth are demanding German Ambassador Reiner Morell to personally come down and take the letter, wherewith they require the Bundestag (parliament) of Germany to pass laws that criminalize Armenian Genocide denial in Germany.

The demonstrators, holding Armenian- and English-language signs, are chanting, “Recognition,” “Condemnation,” and “We demand.”

In addition, the protesters are wearing white shirts with forget-me-nots, which symbolize the Armenian Genocide Centennial, and are holding the flags of Armenia and the ARF.