Pretending to be Angry About the 'Desecration' of the National Assembly Podium: 'Aravot'

‘Aravot’ writes in its editorial: “Everyone has their own priorities regarding national values. For me, one of the most important values is the Armenian state enshrined in its Constitution, which states in Article 29: ‘Discrimination based on gender, race, skin color, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteristics, language, religion, worldview, political or other beliefs, belonging to a national minority, property status, origin, disability, age, or any other personal or social circumstances is prohibited.’

For me, a significant national value is the Armenian language and the Armenian alphabet, which, thanks to the brilliant idea of Mesrop Mashtots, naturally distinguishes itself from all other alphabets in the world. National values include all citizens of Armenia, particularly those who have lived in their homeland for the past 28 years despite difficulties.

I hold my compatriots who have left Armenia in high regard, but when they defend ‘хайреникы шехвацнериц’ from afar on the internet, their perspective does not seem particularly convincing to me.

Do I like the lifestyle of transgender people or homosexuals? I must confess, no. But I also do not like the religious beliefs of the ‘Jehovah's Witnesses’ or the so-called atheists’ skepticism. I do not agree with the political beliefs of many people.

But that is my personal approach, and I do not have the right to assume the role of a judge. Moreover, none of us have the right to persecute people, impose violence against them, call for violence, or display discriminatory attitudes due to such disagreements.

By the way, I dislike that there are people in Armenia who agree with me regarding this recent incident in the National Assembly, yet they pretend to be angry about the alleged ‘desecration’ of the podium due to their ‘oppositional views.’

For more details, see today’s issue of the newspaper.