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"HUNGRY FOR CHANGE": NEW GROUP SUPPORTS RAFFI HOVANNISIAN
http://hetq.am/en/politics/politic-7/
[ 2011/03/18 | 09:53 ] politics
Over the past several days, much has changed in Armenia.
Raffi Hovannisian - after two decades of deliberate and patient
political engagement to bring about freedom, justice and economic
growth in Armenia - decided he has had enough with the corrupt
politicians, inept bureaucrats and unfair judges. On the morning
of March 15, 2011 he went on a hunger-strike to put an end to empty
promises, corrupt practices and corrosive apathy.
That morning, Raffi went to Liberty Square in Yerevan, sat on
a bench and began his "fast for freedom," calling for change in
Armenia. Since the contested presidential elections of 2008, the
authorities have arrested anyone attempting to engage in any civic
activism in the Square. Through his bold move, he lifted the ban
placed by the authorities on Liberty Square. His actions paved the
way for thousands of peaceful protesters, under the leadership of
Armenian National Congress (a coalition of opposition groups) to,
in the evening of March 17, 2011, retake Liberty Square.
In the name of human decency, we urgently expect the authorities in
Yerevan to:
1. Permit the erection of an appropriate tent in Liberty Square and
provision of heating for Raffi to be able to sleep and continue
his constitutionally protected hunger-strike; 2. Provide for a
round-the-clock medical team to monitor Raffi's health; 3. Halt the
harassment that occurs under the guise of police searches of Raffi's
belongings and surroundings.
As supporters of Raffi's cause, we also pledge our support to all
those who want a free, just and prosperous Armenia. We call for unity
and resolve. We are all hungry for change.
"Hungry for Change: Freedom and Justice in Armenia
From: A. Papazian
http://hetq.am/en/politics/politic-7/
[ 2011/03/18 | 09:53 ] politics
Over the past several days, much has changed in Armenia.
Raffi Hovannisian - after two decades of deliberate and patient
political engagement to bring about freedom, justice and economic
growth in Armenia - decided he has had enough with the corrupt
politicians, inept bureaucrats and unfair judges. On the morning
of March 15, 2011 he went on a hunger-strike to put an end to empty
promises, corrupt practices and corrosive apathy.
That morning, Raffi went to Liberty Square in Yerevan, sat on
a bench and began his "fast for freedom," calling for change in
Armenia. Since the contested presidential elections of 2008, the
authorities have arrested anyone attempting to engage in any civic
activism in the Square. Through his bold move, he lifted the ban
placed by the authorities on Liberty Square. His actions paved the
way for thousands of peaceful protesters, under the leadership of
Armenian National Congress (a coalition of opposition groups) to,
in the evening of March 17, 2011, retake Liberty Square.
In the name of human decency, we urgently expect the authorities in
Yerevan to:
1. Permit the erection of an appropriate tent in Liberty Square and
provision of heating for Raffi to be able to sleep and continue
his constitutionally protected hunger-strike; 2. Provide for a
round-the-clock medical team to monitor Raffi's health; 3. Halt the
harassment that occurs under the guise of police searches of Raffi's
belongings and surroundings.
As supporters of Raffi's cause, we also pledge our support to all
those who want a free, just and prosperous Armenia. We call for unity
and resolve. We are all hungry for change.
"Hungry for Change: Freedom and Justice in Armenia
From: A. Papazian