Public Reaction to the Argument Between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a Woman from Artsakh

Today, a heated argument occurred in the Metro between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a woman from Artsakh when the Prime Minister wanted to present the map of the Republic of Armenia as a gift to her child. Hours later, during a discussion with his teammates, Pashinyan addressed the incident and stated, "To our esteemed lady from Artsakh, my sister, I said what I said: Your child should live in the Republic of Armenia, and she says no. I say, don't instill the logic of a displaced person in a child; don’t displace the child. I say, dear Artsakh people, you are not tenants; you are the owners, this is your country, this is our country, and our entire policy is about the fact that you are the owners of the Republic of Armenia, together with our other citizens," he said. However, this incident has drawn attention from Artsakh residents, Armenians, various segments of society, and political figures. They began posting enraged comments on social media, with numerous users showing support for the woman from Artsakh and criticizing the Prime Minister's words.

Among the posts on social media, here are a few noteworthy ones:

• Facebook user Hayka Aloyan wrote: "On behalf of myself, my family members, and the Armenian state, I have not authorized anyone to speak on behalf of and make my Artsakh people, who escaped genocide, victims of hatred. Nor have I given MORE votes. I am a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. A woman deserving of respect."
• Artsakh resident Nare Simonyan stated on her Facebook page: "Blood can never become water... The worthy daughter of a worthy father; the brave young woman who showed the traitor his place is the daughter of hero Meroujan Mosiayan."
• Lawyer Roman Yeritsyan wrote on Facebook: "Under all of this woman's words lies the undisguised signature of 90 percent of Artsakh residents. The remaining 10 percent agree with her as well, they are just afraid of political repression. I have many words to say about this incident, but I’ll leave it at that."
• Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan commented: "Today's incident was a complete exposure of the rhetoric of 'sisters and brothers': on one hand, a facade of care is created, while on the other hand, displaced people are systematically targeted and labeled, their opinions, feelings, pain, and dignity. Postscript 1: For hundreds of thousands of people living in Armenia, displaced residents of Artsakh are indeed sisters and brothers, and they don’t repeat this several times a day according to a predetermined agenda; they show it through their attitude. Postscript 2: That map is everyone's map. It should not be turned into a manipulative tool. But in people's hearts and aspirations, there is another map—a natural and just aspiration to return to the homeland where they were born, lived, and created."
• The Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, also responded to this incident, issuing a statement on the need for awareness regarding forcibly displaced persons and refugees. "Communication with forcibly displaced persons and refugees, as well as discussions regarding their rights, must be conducted with appropriate sensitivity, taking into account the vulnerability of that group. This is required by the international legal standards operating in the field. During election processes, political rhetoric regarding various themes becomes particularly active, leading to the dissemination of often insensitive approaches towards different vulnerable groups. Keeping the above in mind, the Human Rights Defender urges public officials and all political and social actors to exhibit the necessary sensitivity in their public speeches and communications regarding forcibly displaced persons and refugees and issues related to their rights. It is necessary to ensure that public discourse does not create or exacerbate their vulnerability but instead contributes to an atmosphere of solidarity, inclusiveness, and mutual respect." The Human Rights Defender will continue to diligently carry out her duties aimed at protecting and promoting the rights and freedoms of each person, paying special attention to the rights of vulnerable groups."

Media outlets then questioned the Prime Minister, asking whether he violated any laws by entering the Metro for a live broadcast. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan toured Yerevan today with his teammates, and he traveled live from the Republic Square station to the Garegin Nzhdeh station. The entire process was filmed by the Government. However, the Yerevan Metro is considered a strategic structure, and filming there is strictly prohibited. However, the company confirmed that it is permissible for Nikol Pashinyan. "The Yerevan Metro's 100% stake is owned by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, and the head of the government has the right to film," said the company’s spokesperson Anna Aslanyan.