15 Days of Protests in Artsakh Led by Alexander Kananyan: What Results Have Been Achieved?

No hydroelectric power plants should be constructed in Karvachar, and existing ones must cease operations. I demand the removal of construction equipment from Karvachar to maintain a tolerable level for the ecosystem.

This was stated by political scientist Alexander Kananyan, who has been conducting protests in Artsakh for 15 days, in an interview with Auroranews.

Kananyan, a resident of Karvachar in the Shahu myan region, declared a hunger strike after his petition to cease construction works on small hydroelectric power stations adjacent to his house was ignored.

In our conversation, Kananyan explained what his 15-day hunger strike has led to and what steps he plans to take in the near future.

According to Kananyan, this is not the first time he has reacted to the small hydroelectric construction activities in both Karvachar and Artsakh. He stated that these processes have been executed with gross violations of existing environmental and water legislation.

"Often, my protests and calls were disregarded with blatant and complete indifference, due to understandable reasons, they did not yield any practical results. After the revolution in 2018, I realized that the objectives for small hydroelectric constructions were becoming more active in Artsakh, and work commenced on carrying out those objectives," said Kananyan.

The political scientist particularly emphasized the opening of the "Syunik 2" hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 3.2 megawatts and an annual productivity of 26 million kilowatt-hours, which has led to ecological disturbances over the years. Six months prior to the inauguration of "Syunik 2," the "Syunik 1" power station was launched on the Agavnoy river.

About eight years have passed since the operation of these hydroelectric plants, throughout which the Agavnoy river in the northern part of Kashatagh has practically ceased to exist. Observing the statistics from recent years, it is evident that the inhabitants of the Agavnoy gorge have sustained significant economic damage.

"As a resident of Karvachar, I declare and warn the leadership of Artsakh that I will not tolerate any hydroelectric construction projects in the Karvachar region anymore, as the example of Kashatagh shows that rivers are completely drying up, solely as a result of human activity," Kananyan stated.

He remarked that hydroelectric plants are leading Artsakh towards desertification while simultaneously closing off the prospects for environmental and economic development in the area.

Kananyan reports that the relevant authorities have also not responded to this appeal. He added that he does not oppose the construction of ordinary hydroelectric plants, but he is against the exploitation of small hydro plants as they are being built around the major rivers of Artsakh.

When asked why he is conducting the protest via a hunger strike and whether there is any negotiation process, Kananyan responded, "In our society, I have gained respect over the years, but this was a case where I had to send a message to my compatriots at the expense of my health that it is no longer time for tolerance. I regret that I delayed this step for one or two years, but as they say, better late than never. My hunger strike is indefinite. If none of this leads to any results, I will also resort to a thirst strike. All essential conditions must be met."

Currently, there is a negotiation process, during which he cannot speak with Bako Sahakyan, a figure considered a traitor, because this exceeds his principles. However, he is willing to negotiate with State Minister Grigor Martirosyan, but only if Grigoryan acts as a mediator between him and the criminal oligarchy maintaining power in Artsakh. Kananyan noted that these negotiations are progressing slowly but steadily.

When asked if he has ever received any "tempting" offers for cooperation from the authorities operating in Artsakh, Kananyan positively responded, "There is a serious temptation from the criminal oligarchy: mechanisms are also in place to disseminate disinformation and terrorize people en masse. I have regularly warned that such unconstructive actions, especially violations of human rights, could lead to the complete termination of the negotiation process."

It should be noted that since January 27, artist Mher Poghosyan from Stepanakert has joined him in his hunger strike. Beginning January 29, students from Karvachar school have supported him through a class strike. Many public, political, and cultural figures from Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora have expressed their support.

As previously reported, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh, Artak Beglaryan, announced via his Facebook page that a dialogue has started between the government and Alexander Kananyan through his mediation. On January 30, a meeting took place between Artak Beglaryan, the Ombudsman, and Alexander Kananyan.

When asked about the outcome of the meeting with Artak Beglaryan, Kananyan stated that his stance remains unchanged. "Beglaryan is my friend and a trusted person. He takes my concerns very seriously, but Beglaryan practically has no working relation regarding the negotiation process and cannot have any," Kananyan noted.

Author: Gemma Sardyaryan