SUPPORTERS OF HOVANNISIAN WRITE TO U.S. AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH
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[ 2011/03/24 | 09:55 ]
Dear Madam Ambassador,
On behalf of many Armenian-Americans we are writing to you with an
urgent plea.
As you may know, Raffi K. Hovannisian, the leader of Heritage Party in
Republic of Armenia, in protest to a myriad of serious shortcomings
of democracy, existence of political prisoners, and perilous lack of
freedom in all of its forms, has been on a hunger-strike since March
15, 2011.
Since day one, supporters of Mr. Hovannisian have attempted to
erect a simple tent for him, so as to shield him from unusually
cold weather and rain. At every attempt, the authorities,
using uniformed and plain-clothed police, have obstructed the
placement of such tent. In one instance, as evidenced in this
video , uniformed and
plain-clothed officers tore apart a simple canopy which was to replace
an umbrella that Mr. Hovannisian was using.
Mr. Hovannisian has been denied the most basic of accommodations that
will enable him to continue his constitutional right to express his
discontent in a humane and decent manner. During nighttime, to keep
warm and dry, he is forced to cover himself with multiple blankets
and parts of a tarp. These inhumane conditions require urgent and
most serious attention.
As you may know, Mr. Hovannisian, is an American-born former Foreign
Minister of the Republic of Armenia. Born in Fresno, California,
to children of Genocide survivors, Mr. Hovannisian’s actions are
merely the reflection of American idealism: a belief in the notion
that all men are created equal; that freedom, fairness and justice
are privileges bestowed upon us not by benevolent rulers, but are
entitlements guaranteed by nature’s laws.
Raffi’s fast for freedom, now entering its ninth day, is his expression
of his hunger for these very ideals that have been instilled in him at
UCLA, Georgetown, and Tufts. Having spent over two decades in Armenia,
while actively engaged in politics, he has not veered off from western
values; of American ideals; of democracy, freedom, and justice. He may
well be the model of post-Soviet, freedom-oriented leader that citizens
of Armenia entrust the hard work of bringing change to their society.
Thus, on behalf of Armenian-Americans and supporters of “Hungry for
Change: Freedom and Justice in Armenia”, an online community awakened
by the calls of democracy trumpeted from the Middle East, and in the
name of human decency, we kindly request that the following demands
be urgently communicated to the Armenian authorities in Yerevan:
1. Permit the erection of appropriate tents in a prominent location
in Liberty Square, and permit for other necessary accommodations for
Raffi Hovannisian and his supporters; 2. Halt the harassment that
occurs under the guise of police searches of Raffi Hovannisian’s
belongings and surroundings.
We also note that many non-governmental organizations, prominent
civic leaders, journalists and tens of thousands of ordinary
citizens have sounded the distress call on this issue. On March 21st,
Armenia’s own Human Rights Ombudsman issued a statement (available,
at ) calling on authorities to
permit the setting of a tent for Raffi Hovannisian, assessing the
police actions as violation of Armenia’s human rights laws.
The case and need for your intervention is, in our opinion, clear,
urgent and most anticipated.
From: A. Papazian