State of Emergency in Artsakh Will Last Until May 12: Bako Sahakyan

The press office of the President of the Republic of Artsakh reported that President Sahakyan addressed the citizens of the republic and announced that he signed a decree to declare a state of emergency in the Republic of Artsakh to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and protect the population from the threat of the pandemic.

Below is President Bako Sahakyan’s message:

“Dear compatriots,

On March 19 of this year, at a government meeting where the issue of 'Preventing the Spread of the New Coronavirus in the Republic of Artsakh and Preparing to Protect the Population from the Threat of the Pandemic' was discussed, I informed our citizens about all the measures being taken. I stated that the government would take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus in our republic and that these actions would be ongoing. It was also mentioned that additional measures would be implemented in the event of new circumstances, and our citizens would be informed immediately.

Due to objective reasons, the spread of this infection in the world coincided with the organization and conduct of our republic's important national constitutional—presidential and parliamentary—elections. In these circumstances, we must do everything possible to ensure that both the elections are held on schedule and, most importantly, that the health of the population is secured, protecting our people from potential risks.

Conducting national key events, such as the elections of the President of the Republic and National Assembly deputies, is not a whim of anyone but is a clear awareness of the current situation; not holding elections within the established deadlines can itself lead to a constitutional crisis, with numerous unpredictable negative consequences.

Therefore, all comprehensive measures that are needed to fight the coronavirus have been implemented by the government’s decisions and are currently being applied in various countries. The fight against the spread of the infection in the republic has not ceased for a single minute. An inter-agency commission is actively working, and all set tasks are being solved in an operational manner.

I would like to particularly note that the works aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus in our country are carried out in close cooperation with the relevant structures of the Republic of Armenia. I am in constant political consultations with the high leadership of Armenia on all arising issues.

This implementation of work requires enormous responsibility and a sense of high awareness from each of us. We are doing everything possible in this direction. No one should doubt that the policy we have implemented under the current conditions has been comprehensively developed, based on both undertaking all necessary measures to protect the health of the population and solving constitutional issues in favor of our people, our country’s future, and strengthening our statehood.

It remains unclear how long this outbreak will last and what impact it will have on the global economy. The state must do everything possible to prevent an economic crisis in our country. In this situation, there must be a government that enjoys the complete trust of the people, which, using its legally defined powers, will do everything possible to effectively confront all future challenges.

In these serious conditions, we need a legitimate government more than ever. We managed to conduct the national elections jointly on March 31 within the timeframe provided by the Constitution. As you know, a new composition of the National Assembly has been elected. However, the results of the presidential elections imply the need for a second round, which is scheduled for April 14.

Considering that, despite the measures undertaken to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and protect the population from the threat of the pandemic, the recent recorded cases of the disease have necessitated the implementation of additional measures and actions, including during the presidential elections on April 14, based on the principle of ensuring the life and health of people in such an emergency situation, as well as in view of the need to protect the population and improve public health, special sanitary preventive measures and conditions to prevent and eliminate the spread of the infection will be established.

Given that the movement of potentially infected individuals from countries with high infection rates can significantly contribute to the spread of the infection and hinder preventive actions, I based my decree on Article 93 and Article 133 of the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh, which authorizes the President of the Republic to declare a state of emergency in response to natural or man-made disasters, and considering that the mass spread of the infection poses a threat to human lives and health.

Taking into account the constitutional status of the individual as the highest value, which obliges the state to take measures to protect the lives and health of individuals, I signed a decree stating that a state of emergency is declared throughout the territory of the Republic of Artsakh from 22:00 on April 12, 2020, until 22:00 on May 12, 2020.

To ensure a unified management of the forces and means providing the legal regime of the state of emergency, a commandant's office has been established. I have appointed the State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Grigor Martirosyan, as the commandant. The heads of relevant bodies have been included in the commandant's office.

The decree specifies the measures and temporary restrictions of rights and freedoms applicable during the state of emergency, and the forces and means ensuring the legal regime of the state of emergency.

Dear compatriots, this is essentially the necessity of the decision made. I am confident that due to the wisdom, discipline, and high civic responsibility of our people, we will be able to overcome all difficulties, efficiently tackle arising issues, and, at the same time, lawfully conduct this extremely significant nationwide event for our country, such as the election of the President of the Republic of Artsakh, while taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of the population.

On the day of the elections, the strictest health and sanitary measures will be implemented at all polling stations. We must do everything possible to prevent and neutralize all negative consequences. We will do everything in our power to responsibly navigate through this crucial period.

I urge our citizens to approach the decisions made with understanding and to strictly follow the prescribed measures and recommendations. All our actions should be for the sake of the welfare of our country and citizens, for the future of our free, independent, and democratic state.

I wish all of us good health, success, and all the best.

Thank you.”