STATEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

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03:22 pm | September 03, 2009 | Politics

The IDHR does not recognize the signing of the protocols between
the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia on development of
bilateral relations and establishment of diplomatic relations on the
night of August 31, 2009.

The documents include propositions about which the IDHR and other
levels of Armenian society have warned starting in April this year
with the demand to release the "roadmap" signed in Switzerland on
April 22. In the RA Foreign Ministry’s official response to the Open
Letter sent by the IDHR on April 26, it is stated that the issue of
preconditions in the negotiations aimed at normalizing relations
between Turkey and Armenia was initially excluded (19 May 2009,
25/06621). The RA Foreign Minister has officially announced the same
in his speeches.

Nevertheless, the protocols signed on August 31 recognize the current
Turkish-Armenian border and by factually reaffirming the Kars Treaty
that was imposed on us in 1921, the protocols reaffirm the principles
of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders which weaken the
positions of the Armenian side in the fair and pro-Armenian resolution
of the Artsakh conflict; foresee, among other things, the start of
dialogue of historians in a corresponding sub-committee which is
an inadmissible step toward denying the Armenian Genocide. Turkish
authorities have been consistently leading their policy toward that
for years. They have stroke and still strike the Armenian people
and the struggle for legal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
compensation.

The RA authorities actually continue to breach their commitment to be
held accountable to the Armenian people and society. They not only did
not release the "Roadmap", but went toward normalization of relations
with Turkey by accepting Turkey’s anti-Armenian preconditions, that
is, the preconditions that violate the fair rights and interests of
the Armenian people and harm the security of the Armenian statehood.

We call on the RA National Assembly, all NA Deputies to categorically
DENY the ratification of these two documents which endanger the
existence and security of the Armenian people. We note that ANY deputy,
state official, political figure or party who SIGNS or AFFIRMS these
documents that go against the fair rights and vital interests of the
Armenian people will be held RESPONSIBLE and will RECEIVE PUNISHMENT
by the people.

Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) September 3, 2009,
Yerevan