STATEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Support A1+!The IDHR does not recognize the signing of the protocols between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia on development of bilateral relations and establishment of diplomatic relations on the night of August 31, 2009.
The documents include propositions about which the IDHR and other levels of Armenian society have warned starting in April this year with the demand to release the "roadmap" signed in Switzerland on April 22. In the RA Foreign Ministry's official response to the Open Letter sent by the IDHR on April 26, it is stated that the issue of preconditions in the negotiations aimed at normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia was initially excluded (19 May 2009, 25/06621). The RA Foreign Minister has officially announced the same in his speeches.
Nevertheless, the protocols signed on August 31 recognize the current Turkish-Armenian border and by factually reaffirming the Kars Treaty that was imposed on us in 1921, the protocols reaffirm the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders which weaken the positions of the Armenian side in the fair and pro-Armenian resolution of the Artsakh conflict; foresee, among other things, the start of dialogue of historians in a corresponding sub-committee which is an inadmissible step toward denying the Armenian Genocide. Turkish authorities have been consistently leading their policy toward that for years. They have stroke and still strike the Armenian people and the struggle for legal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and compensation.
The RA authorities actually continue to breach their commitment to be held accountable to the Armenian people and society. They not only did not release the "Roadmap", but went toward normalization of relations with Turkey by accepting Turkey's anti-Armenian preconditions, that is, the preconditions that violate the fair rights and interests of the Armenian people and harm the security of the Armenian statehood.
We call on the RA National Assembly, all NA Deputies to categorically DENY the ratification of these two documents which endanger the existence and security of the Armenian people. We note that ANY deputy, state official, political figure or party who SIGNS or AFFIRMS these documents that go against the fair rights and vital interests of the Armenian people will be held RESPONSIBLE and will RECEIVE PUNISHMENT by the people.
Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR)
September 3, 2009, Yerevan
