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THEY ARE CONFIDENT ARMENIA’S VOTING RIGHT WILL NOT BE SUSPENDED

Politics

The only opposition faction in the Armenian Parliament, ”Zharangutiun,” considers the implementation of PACE Resolution 1609 as unrealistic. The opinion was expressed by ”Zharangutiun” Leader Raffi Hovannissian during today’s parliamentary breifings.

Raffi Hovannissian says though the opposition has taken every possible effort to promote the resolution implementation, the authorities have taken no considerable measure in this direction.

”It doesn’t matter whether Armenia’s voting rights will be suspended or not in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The most important for us is to safeguard the rights of RoA citizens, the country’s democratic image and international reputation,” he said.

Unlike the opposition, the Coalition thinks serious steps have been made with regard to the implementation of the PACE Resolution and they find them quite realistic.

Bargavach Hayastan Party (BHK) member Avet Adonts says the number of detained people has considerably reduced ”and yet, it is high tiem the question were given a legal solution.”

”Too many people have been released these days,” said Orinats Yerkir Party (OYK) Leader Heghine Bisharian. ”The implementation of the resolution is rather dynamic, and there is no threat that Armenia’s voting rights will be suspended.”

Heghine Bisharian warned everybody against ”appropriating” the events of March 1. ”Let no one think we are not concerned over the events.”

In reply to A1+ whether the OYK has ever asked to review a detainee’s retraint if the party really cares for the events of March 1, Mrs. Bisharian said, ”The National Assembly has made a decision, expressed its stance and we have nothing else to add.” Heghine Bisharian ment the NA decision to lift the MPs’ immunity and endorsement of their detention.

“The process has started, and there is considerable progress. I think the reforms that were carried out are compliant with the Resolution. The provisions of the Resolution were earlier set down in the coalition memorandum. The authors of the PACE Resolution referred to the memorandum in drafting the resolution,” said Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun (ARFD) Leader Vahan Hovanissian.

”Generally, we should not take people like Zhirair Sefilian so seriously. Everyone should have a little self-criticism and humor regarding them. We know Sefilian better than those who are now trumpeting his name. We have known Sefilian since his childhood. And a person should be a little modest not to believe those trumpeters who say you are a national hero, you are the hope of the nation and you are God. Unfortunately, recently more and more people who are engaged in politics have started believing in their divine origin, which makes me worry,” the ARFD Leader said in regard to Sefilian.