President Armen Sarkissian met with Armenia’s Human Rights’ Defender and human rights activists: public discussions and awareness are important tools for change

President Armen Sarkissian met today with the Ombudsman of Armenia Arman Tatoyan, human rights activists Zaruhi Hovhannissian and Avetik Ishkhanian.

President suggested that they present their viewpoints on the protection of human rights in Armenia and said that it is necessary to speak not only of the current problems and avenues to address them but of the fundamental problems which need fundamental solutions.

During the conversation, the participants presented their views on the situation with the protection of human rights and problems existing in this area.

Responding to their questions and observations, President Armen Sarkissian said in particular, “Unfortunately, everything in our country, even protection of human rights, has been politicized. Everything, from the institute of the president and up to a citizen or a human rights activist, has been personalized. This is not only unacceptable but also very dangerous. This is certainly not a new phenomenon and is not only for Armenia. The same mechanisms are used in other countries. This is a result of today’s changed world in which majority of the people spend the main part of their lives in a virtual world which is governed by neither laws nor rules.

It is also regrettable that these mechanisms are also used in our society. They are used from top to bottom, left to right, personalized and targeted. As a result, very often the very topic or the theme of the discussion is pushed back and as we lose it.

We should comply with the environment and reality we are living and working in and try within the scope of our abilities to change and improve the situation.

If president starts to use one of the main tools in his disposal, which is the word, with time it will lose its value. President should be very reserved and act only when necessary. Not targeted, on this on that occasion, but in a broader sense: urge people to be more tolerant, promoting awareness and supporting public discussions through different instruments.”

The President of Armenia responded also to the question on the role of president in a parliamentary republic which was also raised by the human rights activists. “There has been a transit to a new stage, and many people due to inertia don’t fully comprehend that the authorities of the president of the Republic have changed,” the President noted. “This institute, along with many other issues, has first of all to establish itself as president’s institute in the parliamentary republic,” President Armen Sarkissian said. “From the highest level down to ordinary citizens, many often don’t understand or don’t want to accept that we are living in a parliamentary republic. This results in misunderstanding, in erroneous comments, expectations from the president, from the institute of the president which are not realistic and president cannot fulfill them.”

The participants of the meeting concurred with the President that there is a need for awareness, public discussions and education to be carried out using different mechanisms for different cases, and we all have to work on this.