President Meets with Armenia's Human Rights Defender and Activists

President Armen Sarkissian met today, on June 19, with Armenia's Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, as well as human rights activists Zaruhy Hovhannisyan and Avetik Ishkhanyan. This information was reported by the president's press office.

Inviting them to present their views on the protection of human rights in the country, the president stated that discussions should not only address the current issues and their solutions but also focus on the fundamental problems that require basic solutions.

During the conversation, participants shared their views on the protection of human rights and the existing issues in the field. Responding to their questions and observations, President Armen Sarkissian specifically mentioned, “Unfortunately, everything here, including human rights activism, has become politicized. Personalizing everything from the institution of the president to an individual citizen or activist is not only unacceptable but also very dangerous. This is, of course, not a new phenomenon and not unique to Armenia; similar mechanisms are applied in various countries. This is the result of a changed world today, where most people spend a significant part of their lives in the virtual realm, where there is neither law nor regulation.”

He added that it is regrettable that this mechanism is being employed vigorously in our country, implemented from the top down, left and right, personalized, and targeted. As a result, often, the subject of discussion—the theme—is pushed to the background, and we ultimately lose it.

“We need to emerge from the environment and reality in which we live and operate, seeking to change and improve the situation within our capabilities. If the president starts to use daily one of his main tools—speech—then it will lose its value over time. The president must be very reserved and act when necessary, not just reacting to individual cases but promoting a more generalized call for tolerance among people, using various tools to facilitate awareness and support public discussions,” he stated.

The president also responded to questions regarding the role of the president in a parliamentary republic, which human rights activists had also raised. “A transition to a new phase has occurred, and most people, out of inertia, still do not fully realize that the powers of the President of the Republic have changed,” noted the president. “Among the many significant issues concerning the establishment of this institution is its consolidation as a presidential institution in a parliamentary country,” declared President Sarkissian. “From the highest levels to simple citizens, many do not comprehend or do not wish to comprehend that they live in a parliamentary country. This creates misunderstandings, leading to misinterpretations and unrealistic expectations from the president and the presidential institution, which the president cannot fulfill.”

The meeting participants agreed with the President that there is a need to employ various mechanisms to inform, conduct public discussions, and educate on various issues, emphasizing that we all have a role in this process.