VULGARITY VERSUS POLITICAL DEBATE

The Civilitas Foundation
Thursday, 02 July 2009 10:02

The political debate that should have taken place over whether and how
Armenia’s delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
can and should interact with the delegations of Azerbaijan and Turkey
has not taken place. Instead, we have been witness to inappropriate –
that’s a polite way of saying vulgar and insulting – assessments of
the Armenian parliamentarian involved.

One wonders if a male parliamentarian had sought the support of
Turkish and Azerbaijani parliamentarians on a resolution regarding
Armenia’s domestic issues, how would the political elite have reacted?

Parliamentarian Zaruhi Postanjian is a woman, a member of the
Zharangutyun (Heritage) party and a vocal, committed human rights
advocate. Her political steps can be debated. Her personal life,
patriotism and gender ought not.

It is at our peril that Armenia avoids political debate, sidesteps
real discussion about the ever-tightening political situation in our
region, especially vis-a-vis Armenia’s neighbors. Offending those
whose domestic policies are different, drawing fezzes on the heads
of those whose policies towards our neighbors is perceived as too
tolerant — all this means foregoing political consensus in favor of
imposed policy. There are social implications, too. Striking at the
dignity of half of=2 0Armenia’s population means women and girls will
be even less willing and prepared to help build a country.

All because we refuse to get involved in the hard work of debating
policy and articulating our vision of our future.