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UPCOMING ELECTIONS WON'T LEAD TO REAL CHANGE: OPINION
epress.am
03.28.2012
Considering the oligarchic system in the country, no real change can
come out of the elections in Armenia, believes Institute for Democracy
and Human Rights (IDHR) Vice President Gor Hakobyan.
"Look at the programs proposed by elected political parties in 2007
and compare them with what we have today - just compare the numbers.
Our organization considers studying these platforms and making
proposals to be less effective, since elections here don't lead to
any changes. We consider more effective our contribution to developing
civil society, informing people about their rights and teaching them
the procedure of fighting for these rights," he said.
Hakobyan recalled that in 2007, IDHR sent questions to all the
political parties running in the election, asking how they envision
solving several pertinent issues. They received responses from some
parties but not from others. This year, however, the organization
isn't preparing to take such action.
"Political parties in Armenia are unable to formulate public interest,
to put issues of public concern on the agenda. Until this happens, that
which exists will be reproduced in the outcome of elections," he said.
As an activist who is also involved in the Occupy Mashtots Park
movement, Hakobyan said that the civic groups dealing with the issue
in the park don't have a united political orientation.
"In the movement there are many who adhere to a political party
- by the way, there are people who have very different political
orientations - but we are all united by the fight for public interest
and the demand of adopting lawful decisions," he said.
epress.am
03.28.2012
Considering the oligarchic system in the country, no real change can
come out of the elections in Armenia, believes Institute for Democracy
and Human Rights (IDHR) Vice President Gor Hakobyan.
"Look at the programs proposed by elected political parties in 2007
and compare them with what we have today - just compare the numbers.
Our organization considers studying these platforms and making
proposals to be less effective, since elections here don't lead to
any changes. We consider more effective our contribution to developing
civil society, informing people about their rights and teaching them
the procedure of fighting for these rights," he said.
Hakobyan recalled that in 2007, IDHR sent questions to all the
political parties running in the election, asking how they envision
solving several pertinent issues. They received responses from some
parties but not from others. This year, however, the organization
isn't preparing to take such action.
"Political parties in Armenia are unable to formulate public interest,
to put issues of public concern on the agenda. Until this happens, that
which exists will be reproduced in the outcome of elections," he said.
As an activist who is also involved in the Occupy Mashtots Park
movement, Hakobyan said that the civic groups dealing with the issue
in the park don't have a united political orientation.
"In the movement there are many who adhere to a political party
- by the way, there are people who have very different political
orientations - but we are all united by the fight for public interest
and the demand of adopting lawful decisions," he said.