Soul-hunting legalized in Armenia

Yerkir/am
October 15, 2004

Protection of rights of minorities of all kinds and colors has been so
widely spoken about in Armenia that it seems that either the majority
will soon have no rights at all or that to protect one’ rights one
will have to join a minority.

The Ministry of Justice gave another reason to think so by granting
official registration to Jehovah’s Witnesses. This registration will
no doubt be presented to the society in the context of freedom of
speech and freedom of conscience, adherence to European and universal
values and democracy. Some will try to present the registration
granted to the Jehovah’s Witnesses as another step forward on
Armenia’s way to integration with Europe.

This pathos will conceal the fact that the activities of religious
sects, especially Jehovah’s Witnesses, not only go against the
interests of our state and nation but pose a direct threat to our
statehood. Soul-hunting and open anti-national propaganda will now be
perfectly legal.

Refusal to serve in the army is also being legalized. Aren’t the
leaders of the country that is still in a situation of possible war
worried about this? Maybe they think that in case of a possible
attack on Armenia the documents protecting the rights of minorities
will protect the country as well.