Call to International Community to Respect the Armenian Constitution and People
http://hetq.am/eng/news/24077/call-to-international-community-to-respect-the-armenian-constitution-and-people.html
15:54, March 4, 2013
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, leaders of states, diplomats, and
representatives of international organizations,
The February 18, 2013 presidential elections held in Republic of
Armenia unarguably showed the public distrust toward the authorities.
The elections were accompanied by gross violations - abuse of
administrative resources, election bribe, threats, ballot box
stuffing, voting instead of absentees, and falsification of voting
results - which are documented widely, including through video
materials posted online.
On February 28, 2013, Amnesty International expressed their concern
about the facts of violence against reporters, observers, and other
individuals and demanded that cases of violation of human rights and
electoral rights be investigated thoroughly.
The widespread violations have significantly affected the election
results, which is reflected in the analyses by different organizations
as well as the 3rd interim report on the Armenian Presidential
Elections published by OSCE/ODIHR observation mission published on
March 2, 2013.
Post-election mass protests and actions of civil disobedience
throughout the entire country also serve to demonstrate that the
Armenian citizens do not believe in the legitimacy of the past
elections and do not wish to tolerate the government formed which came
to power through election fraud.
We would also like to note that, according to the RA Constitution,
elections culminate with the release of a decree by the Constitutional
Court, and if there is no application to the Constitutional Court,
then with the completion of the deadline to apply to the Court.
Moreover, the RA Constitutional Court has the authority to find the
election results invalid, to recognize a candidate not elected to find
the elections failed or to decide to hold a second round of elections.
Congratulating any of the candidates before the completion of the
terms set for the RA Constitutional Court is unclear and unjustified
to us, especially when it is done in case of a candidate, who has
re-usurped the power through election fraud, and when it involves
leaders of states considered to be democratic and representatives from
organizations, which are promoting democratic values, which are
apparently politically motivated and apply double standards.
We consider such a behavior that contradicts the Constitution of the
Republic of Armenia and its national interests, to be a blow to the
attempts on the citizens of the Republic of Armenia to build a
democratic state. this practice of rapidly congratulating dictators,
who have "won" disputable elections is unacceptable because it can
again lead to the dramatic events which followed the 2008 presidential
Elections in Armenia.
We, the Citizens of the Republic of Armenia demand that you observe
the principles of international law and follow the RA Constitution and
laws in relations with our state. We also urge you not to hinder the
pursuit of the RA citizens for building a democratic state by
legitimizing the falsified 2013 presidential Elections for the sake of
short-term regional interests.
Citizens of the Republic of Armenia
March 4, 2013
In present the petition is joined by over 470 citizens. It is
available online and is open for signatures.
http://www.facebook.com/events/136481106527423/136948029814064/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity
http://hetq.am/eng/news/24077/call-to-international-community-to-respect-the-armenian-constitution-and-people.html
15:54, March 4, 2013
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, leaders of states, diplomats, and
representatives of international organizations,
The February 18, 2013 presidential elections held in Republic of
Armenia unarguably showed the public distrust toward the authorities.
The elections were accompanied by gross violations - abuse of
administrative resources, election bribe, threats, ballot box
stuffing, voting instead of absentees, and falsification of voting
results - which are documented widely, including through video
materials posted online.
On February 28, 2013, Amnesty International expressed their concern
about the facts of violence against reporters, observers, and other
individuals and demanded that cases of violation of human rights and
electoral rights be investigated thoroughly.
The widespread violations have significantly affected the election
results, which is reflected in the analyses by different organizations
as well as the 3rd interim report on the Armenian Presidential
Elections published by OSCE/ODIHR observation mission published on
March 2, 2013.
Post-election mass protests and actions of civil disobedience
throughout the entire country also serve to demonstrate that the
Armenian citizens do not believe in the legitimacy of the past
elections and do not wish to tolerate the government formed which came
to power through election fraud.
We would also like to note that, according to the RA Constitution,
elections culminate with the release of a decree by the Constitutional
Court, and if there is no application to the Constitutional Court,
then with the completion of the deadline to apply to the Court.
Moreover, the RA Constitutional Court has the authority to find the
election results invalid, to recognize a candidate not elected to find
the elections failed or to decide to hold a second round of elections.
Congratulating any of the candidates before the completion of the
terms set for the RA Constitutional Court is unclear and unjustified
to us, especially when it is done in case of a candidate, who has
re-usurped the power through election fraud, and when it involves
leaders of states considered to be democratic and representatives from
organizations, which are promoting democratic values, which are
apparently politically motivated and apply double standards.
We consider such a behavior that contradicts the Constitution of the
Republic of Armenia and its national interests, to be a blow to the
attempts on the citizens of the Republic of Armenia to build a
democratic state. this practice of rapidly congratulating dictators,
who have "won" disputable elections is unacceptable because it can
again lead to the dramatic events which followed the 2008 presidential
Elections in Armenia.
We, the Citizens of the Republic of Armenia demand that you observe
the principles of international law and follow the RA Constitution and
laws in relations with our state. We also urge you not to hinder the
pursuit of the RA citizens for building a democratic state by
legitimizing the falsified 2013 presidential Elections for the sake of
short-term regional interests.
Citizens of the Republic of Armenia
March 4, 2013
In present the petition is joined by over 470 citizens. It is
available online and is open for signatures.
http://www.facebook.com/events/136481106527423/136948029814064/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity