RA CITIZENS RESIDING IN GERMANY PROTEST IN CONNECTION WITH BEING DEPRIVED OF SUFFRAGE

Noyan Tapan
Feb 13, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. "The fact that the Armenian
government deprives its citizens residing abroad of the suffrage
is more than understandable: why should the RA government need
citizens living in democratic countries and familiar with democratic
principles?" A group of RA citizens residing in Germany made such
a statement in their letter to the OSCE/ODIHR, RA Foreign Ministry,
and RA Central Electoral Commission.

The letter, in particular, mentioned that part 2 of Article 2 of RA
Electoral Code, according to which the participation in elections of
RA citizens abroad was ensured, was invalidated in early 2007. "Among
democratic principles of each country is not to deprive its citizens
of elections held in the country. Unfortunately, it is not this way in
Armenia," the letter read. The authors of the letter also state that
the agreement of OSCE and Venice Commission to the above mentioned
decision "goes beyond all boundaries of reason."

RA citizens residing in Germany consider that fact as violation of
the suffrage granted to all RA citizens by the Constitution.