Europe condemns Hungarian decision
Statement of RA Ministry of Diaspora
Following the meeting of the Security Council convened by Armenian President in connection with the extradition of Ramil Safarov who axe-murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan, the RA Ministry of Diaspora made a new appeal to the heads of traditional Armenian parties, pan-Armenian structures, youth and women's organizations, humanitarian, sport, cultural, and educational institutions worldwide, as well as to the editors of Armenian mass media outlets, urging all of them to unite.
The Department of Armenian Communities in Europe of the Ministry of Diaspora reports that Armenian communities in various European countries staged protests outside Hungarian embassies and consulates in their countries and disseminated the relevant materials and leaflets (regarding the inhuman act of Azerbaijan and Hungary) in Europe's Armenian and non-Armenian mass media outlets.
"Nuard" Armenian Association in Antwerp, Belgium, sent a letter of protest to the Hungarian ambassador in the Kingdom of Belgium, expressing concern over Hungary's step.
The German-Armenian Central Council issued a press release, expressing their outrage. The Primate of Germany, Archbishop Garegin Bakchyan sent a letter to the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
On September 2, members of the Armenian-Danish Association together with Denmark's Armenians who arrived in Copenhagen from various small islands staged a protest outside the Hungarian embassy. A letter of protest was sent to the Hungarian embassy and its copies to executives of various departments of the Danish government.
The Council of the Armenian community of Rome sent a letter to the Hungarian ambassador in Italy in connection with the violation of international legal norms by Hungary and the extradition and pardoning of Ramil Safarov sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Armenian community of Poland issued a statement of protest regarding the extradition and pardoning of Ramil Safarov. On September 3 the Armenian embassy in Warsaw called a press conference in connection with Armenia's decision to suspend diplomatic ties with Hungary and the latter's conduct concerning further developments in the South Caucasus. The event was attended by Armenian Ambassador Ashot Galoyan and representatives of the Armenian community in Poland.
The Armenian community of Malta issued a statement, expressing its resentment and perplexity over the decision of Hungarian government. "We believe that the Hungarian government bears full responsibility for the tragedy that took place in 2004," the statement reads.
The statement of condemnation disseminated by the Armenian community of the Czech Republic was followed by responses in the local press.
The violent reaction of Hungary is symbolic. A protest action with the participation of many thousands took place outside the parliament building in Budapest. The participants protested against the extradition of Azerbaijani lieutenant Ramil Safarov. Their number reached 3,000. Among them were both Hungarians and Armenians.
