Pashinyan Shows Personal Attitude Towards Ongoing Processes Around HETC, Says Tatoyan

Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan wrote on Facebook: "Regarding the so-called nationalization of HETC and the decision of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Institute, the Armenian government, with its position on July 23, indicates that it will not fulfill the international obligations signed by Armenia for the protection of international investors, if those obligations do not appeal personally or politically to the head of the government.

The Prime Minister has already shown a personal attitude towards the ongoing process around HETC, stating that for him it is a guarantee of preserving 'the taste of the state in the mouths of certain individuals,' thereby stamping the entire process with the seal of illegality.

One of the propaganda lines of the government is that the non-fulfillment of that arbitration institution's decision is taking place in the name of the sovereignty of Armenia. This logic opens the door to arbitrariness—if a decision is made by an international court (for example, the European Court of Human Rights), which the Prime Minister does not like or considers dangerous for his power, he may refuse to execute it.

This approach severely damages Armenia's international reputation, especially for attracting international investments. The process has shown that state institutions did not function at all. This happened because personal power and party leadership have been established in Armenia. These are the 'benefits of values' they have brought.

The solution is simple—the Armenian court should merely resolve the issue of executing the decision of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Arbitration, without addressing the substantive side of the question. The court can refuse if the decision violates public order. That is why the authorities accompany the processes around HETC with propaganda that the issue is related to public security. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has already shown that for him this has personal and consequently political significance."