Artak Beglaryan Meets with Alexandr Kananyan on Hunger Strike

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Artak Beglaryan visited Karvachar on January 30 to discuss pressing issues with Alexandr Kananyan, who is on hunger strike, and local schoolchildren.

During the meeting with the children, the defender listened to their concerns and suggestions regarding the region's environmental and various other issues. In a direct and respectful atmosphere, Beglaryan emphasized the importance of the students' civic engagement, encouraging them to remain proactive in addressing community and homeland matters.

He underscored that society and the state should be inclusive enough to allow for children's active participation in public discussions and decision-making processes, commensurate with their age and maturity.

Referring to the declared class boycott, the defender pointed out that it is not preferable for children to fight for the realization of one right at the expense of another, particularly when it comes to the right to education being restricted.

Discussing potential mechanisms and formats for children's active participation in identifying and resolving community issues, Beglaryan provided advice to the students, urging them to abandon the method of class boycotts and to express civic activity through extracurricular actions and long-term responsibilities.

The defender promised to support the students in expanding public activities, expressing confidence that their positive energy would ensure equally positive and tangible projects for their community.

In conclusion, the students pledged to heed the defender's advice and reaffirmed their decision not to pursue a class boycott for the time being, while actively monitoring the resolution processes concerning the environmental issues affecting the local population.

The Human Rights Defender then met with Alexandr Kananyan, inquiring about his health and discussing the ongoing dialogue with the government, its outcomes, and challenges. Beglaryan expressed satisfaction that constructive dialogue continues, instilling hope for a resolution of the situation and the cessation of the hunger strike in the coming days. He highlighted that the most crucial issue at this stage is maintaining Kananyan's health, with the Ministry of Health assuring that this matter is under constant attention.

The defender also met with the head of the Shahumyan district administration and the teaching staff of Karvachar School to discuss the current situation and their approaches to resolving it.