STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN: “POLITICAL PRISONERS SHOULD BE RELEASED”
Support A1+!Today the Leader of the People’s Party of Armenia (HZhK), Stepan Demirchian, went to the Statue of Miasnikian to honour the memory of the March 1 tragic events. The HZhK leader gave an interview to representatives of foreign and local mass media.
In particular, he said that the exertion of power against people during the events cannot be justified by any means. Today, forty days later, people mourn over and honour the victims’ memory.
Stepan Demirchian enumerated the steps the authorities are supposed to take to restore the situation. “A clear-cut distinction should be made between people who committed a crime on March 1 and those who are sued for their political orientation. Political persecutions should be stopped, and all political prisoners should be set free.”
The European Union and the Venice Commission have voiced malcontent on the recent amendments to the Law on “Marches, Rallies and Demonstrations.” The amendments should be reviewed. The opposition should be given air time. How long can the authorities bar rallies and marches?”
With regard to policemen “guarding” the Statue of Miasnikian and keeping public order, the HZhK leader said, “The police fear sudden incidents but I am confident that no incidents will be provoked. This is a civic initiative and there is no need to worry.”
“The authorities must gain public confidence otherwise they can speak of no dialogue.”
As of the four-fold coalition government, Demirchian said, “They say they form a coalition based on a national consent. They denigrate each other and then form a coalition. I don’t accept such coalitions as they will hardly change the current situation.”
The HZhK leader again reiterated that all wrongdoers must be punished and political prisoners must be released. “If those steps were made in 2003, we would have escaped the current situation.”
