ARF members, supporters and sympathizers will not be intimidated
The current authorities of the Republic of Armenia, facing a crisis of legitimacy, have taken lawlessness against political opponents to a new level by ruthlessly exploiting the law enforcement system to advance their political objectives. Not content with unlawful wiretapping, arrests, detention and numerous illegal criminal prosecutions, the compliant investigative bodies have now turned to persecuting individuals who have made donations to opposition political parties.
For a considerable period, the investigative authorities have, in essence, been unlawfully apprehending and illegally “interrogating” members and supporters of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), as well as ordinary citizens, solely because they made donations to the party in full compliance with the requirements of the law. This is occurring despite the fact that numerous irrefutable reports published in the media point to the Civil Contract party itself receiving illicit income and making comprehensive and impermissible use of administrative resources during the elections for its own partisan interests. As expected, in this case the law enforcement and other competent authorities remain silent.
Assessing all of the above as a clear violation of Articles 8 and 46 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, as well as an obvious attempt to undermine the foundations of democracy:
- We call upon international organizations and election observation missions to provide an appropriate and impartial assessment of the conduct of the ruling regime.
- We demand that the law enforcement authorities immediately return to the framework of legality by complying with the requirements of the Constitution and the Constitutional Law on Political Parties.
- We draw the public’s attention to the political authorities’ pursuit of one-man neo-Bolshevism and to the state-sponsored electoral corruption being carried out at the national level.
We declare that the many thousands of ARF members, supporters and sympathizers will not yield to the illegal actions of the repressive state apparatus, will not be intimidated by fabricated interrogations, and will continue their struggle against the current regime with determination, in the name of a lawful, democratic and secure Armenia.
ARF Supreme Body of Armenia
The ARF and the other opposition parties must also consider the very real threat that Pashinyan could shut them down and declare them illegal, and they must make contingency plans for this scenario.
The opposition must make the country ungovernable for him through mass protests, mass strikes and non-lethal sabotage, in order to liberate Armenia from his control and depose him through people power. Since this guy plans to be dictator-for-life, won’t leave democratically and is attempting to neutralize any and every opposition to himself, deposing him through force is the only option left.
And many dictators have been deposed through people power: Ferdinand Marcos, Nicolae Ceaucescu, Slobodan Milosevic, Hosni Mubarak, etc.
Following the activities of ARF-Armenia, I must tell you, this is a different ARF of the one we knew, unfortunately. It’s the same name but different party. The so called ‘ARF’ endorses and works with the three previous MP’s who worked with Russia, destroyed Armenia and enriched themselves. It just doesn’t make sense. Divide to conquer is a strategy of distraction. All parties need to work together to build a new Armenia. They need to find a way to work with Pashinyan. Since 2018 under his leadership a lot of positive changes have been made all over the country.
@Virginia Zerdelian
The Armenia you talk about, is it on this planet?
For the Armenia that we know has suffered nothing but humilliation under Pashinyan.
No need to be sarcastic, but that’s fine with me! Yes, the Armenia we love, was and is on the planet we all live and will continue to be if we don’t fight amongst each other, waisting time and energy, making the enemy happy. Calling Pashinyan ‘Turk’ for instance as some do, won’t unite us and get us anywhere. Therefore, my focus is not on Pashinyan, but on the AYF-Armenia party being on the side of forces that presently work for Russia. My late husband Bedros and I, who lived in NYC for half a century, have been for most of the time sympathetic towards the AYF-USA, their deeds, struggles, etc.. Parties opposing to each other peacefully is actually a healthy thing, but they need to work together for the betterment of our motherland. And, the present Tashnag party in Armenia is on the wrong side, repeating the past mistakes that led to our defeat during Pashinyan time, as well. May God bless Armenia, give us wisdom and knowledge but most of all love of country, tolerance and cooperation amongst us🙏
In its 136 year history, the ARF has been banned several times.
I hope the Leadership has finalised its plans to go underground if Pashinyan bans the ARF.