AZG Armenian Daily #078, 29/04/2006
Concern
UNION OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA SUGGESTS TO STRUGGLE
XENOPHOBIA WITH JOINT EFFORTS
The Union of Armenians of Russia suggests the Russian authorities and
the law enforcement bodies to jointly elaborate a mechanism for
aversion and resistance of nationalistic crimes. According to the
Russian mass media sources, Ara Abrahamian, chairman of the Union of
Armenians of Russia, made this statement in Moscow.
Abrahamian emphasized that the number of murder cases resultant of
nationalistic propaganda has grown. 5 citizens were killed, including
17 years old Vigen Abrahamiants, only in the course of the four months
of 2006. He stated that if the preliminary investigation proves that
the murder was committed by the skinheads, one shouldn’t hide the
facts and keep silent, as only open condemnation may avert
reoccurrence of such crimes in the future.
Ara Abrahamian believes that such developments may spoil the friendly
relations between the nations and this can’t be in the interests of
Russia. Thus, the crimes committed out of nationalistic or religious
motives should be strictly punished. “Indifference or qualifying such
crimes as hooliganism only encourage young fascist scoundrels and
their supporters,” he said. He added that “Russia for the Russians”
notorious slogan of the nationalists may turn quite disastrous for the
multinational Russia, as cases of fascist attacks and display of
xenophobia may destroy the state. “Russia is home for all of us. We
all are responsible for maintaining the atmosphere of peace and
prosperity in Russia,” he said.
Ara Abrahamian stated once again that the Union of Armenians of Russia
will follow the investigation of the April 22 murder of Vigen
Abrahamiants. He added that UAR suggests that various NGOs hold a
roundtable with the law enforcers to elaborate mechanisms for joint
struggle against xenophobia.
Abrahamian expressed an opinion that at present Russia faces a serious
problem. Sooner Russian society and the state structures realize the
danger of nationalistic and religious hatred, the sooner the country
will be healed of that disease.
By Aghavni Harutyunian