ArmInfo. The issues voiced by the residents of Tsovagyugh and Semenovka communities of Gegharkunik region are in the focus of attention of the Human Rights Defender (RA). This is stated in the statement of the office of the RA Human Rights Defender.
The message received by ArmInfo notes that the Human Rights Defender and representatives of the Gegharkunik regional department of the HRD were informed about the problems voiced by the residents of the abovementioned communities at today's protest action.
"Today, from the very first moment of blocking the road by residents and until now, we are closely following the voiced demands and are in direct contact with representatives of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Infrastructure and Gegharkunik region. Representatives of the HRD are also in touch with individual residents on the spot. The Human Rights Defender will continue to keep the issues raised by the residents in the field of his immediate attention, will contribute to resolving the situation within his competence," the RA Human Rights Defender said in a statement.
It should be noted that today, March 23, residents of the villages of Tsovagyugh and Semenovka of the enlarged community of Sevan blocked the Yerevan-Sevan highway and demanded a meeting with the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan. The villagers are against the enlargement of the communities. In this regard, they demand that Sanosyan come personally and solve their problems. The protesters say that the road will be closed until Sanosyan himself arrives. Residents of the community also asked for forgiveness from all citizens who suffered today as a result of the road closure. "Our war is not with the government, our war is with Sanosyan. Let him come personally and we will open the road," the protesters said, noting that Sanosyan had already deceived them earlier. Sanosyan has not yet responded to the demand, the road continues to be blocked. It should be noted that the residents of Semyonovka and Tsovagyugh on December 5, 2021, boycotted the elections to local governments. It is also worth noting that the inhabitants of the Armenian villages in the majority opposed the enlargement of communities, assuring that this would lead to a new outflow of the population. However, the opinion of the villagers was ignored.