Keep Your Hands Off Angela Tovmasyan: 7 NGOs Release Statement

Seven non-governmental organizations have issued a statement in support of Angela Tovmasyan, the head of the Hayeli Club.

The statement reads: “Dear compatriots, according to reports circulating in the media, the National Security Service of Armenia is, most likely carrying out the orders of the nation-destroying government and is pursuing yet another dissident journalist. This time, the target is Angela Tovmasyan, co-founder and chief editor of 'Hayeli.am,' known to the public for her opposition views and her large following.

This phenomenon would not be so alarming if it were of a unique nature. It is evident that there are coordinated target persecutions taking place against opposition media outlets. Similar persecutions have been carried out against H 2, ‘Yerkir Media,’ ‘5th Channel,’ 168.am, and the list continues. Many individual journalists are also facing the same fate.

In fact, with such methods, ‘democracy is turning into a lasting factor ensuring the security of the country.’ We decisively condemn any step toward the repression of free speech and declare that:

• In our country, the right to free speech enshrined in the Constitution is being violated every moment,
• Under the guise of democracy, a real tyranny is being established in the country,
• Intolerance towards dissent has become the actual modus operandi of the government, and prisons are filling up with political prisoners.

Dear compatriots, we are steadfast in our approach and will fight against the rooted manifestations of this vile and grotesque reality by all possible means. Our resolute message is directed at these authorities: keep your hands off Angela Tovmasyan and all the advocates of free speech.

Participating organizations include:

• Reserve Officers Movement
• Movement of Cultural Figures ‘Voice of the Fatherland’
• ‘Shield of the Motherland’ Reserve Officers NGO
• ‘Armenian National Guard’ NGO
• ‘Karabakh War Veterans Union’ NGO
• ‘Priority of Rights and Values’ NGO
• ‘Return’ Foundation