human rights activists: Republican Party is trying to save its face through school principals (video)
The Union of Informed Citizens (UIC) has not committed any offence or crime by recording the conversations of directors of public schools and kindergartens who drew up lists of children’s parents, teachers and kindergarten staff who pledged support for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) in the April 2 parliamentary election, says human right activist Avetik Ishkhanyan. “This is a well-known journalistic trick used in all counties,” he said. The directors of public schools and kindergartens have sued the UIC for the revelation of the fact which overtly speaks to the abuse of administrative resources. “Had this occurred in a civilized country, it would have created a scandal. Directors of schools and kindergartens would be punished there,” the human rights activist said. The human rights activists participating in a discussion organized at the Media Centre NGO agree that scandalous revelations compromised the dignity of the directors, but they are unanimous that the UIC should not have appeared before court. “They were to sue the mayor, employees of election headquarters and regional councils who put them in that awkward situation and dishonored them,” says Mr Ishkhanyan. Everyone knew that the Republicans misused their administrative resources before each election but this was the first time that people were provided with facts. “The recordings infuriated by the Republican Party which is trying to save its face through principals,” says Artur Sakunts. “The entire system is working to conceal the crime. This is the result of corruption.” “Most school principals in Armenia are involved in political corruption,” saysChairman of the Gyumri-based Journalists Club Asbarez, Levon Barseghyan. “We need to get out of this situation because we cannot expect political changes in the country. We need to have honest and conscientious people working in those posts. The entire system must be changed,” he added. The Union of Informed Citizens revealed last month that its activists posing as HHK representatives telephoned 136 schools and kindergarten chiefs across Armenia. It said 114 of them admitted drawing up lists of voters, including children’s parents, teachers and kindergarten staff, who pledged support for the HHK in the April 2 elections. The UIC also publicized audio of those phone conversations. On April 2, directors of 30 schools and kindergartens file a lawsuit against the NGO for defamation.
