ANNOUNCEMENT

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor undertakes a project on religious minorities. It has been implemented since 2005 and is supported by Dutch Embassy. The goal of this project is to arrive at a pluralistic society in Armenia in which there is a true freedom of religion.

Through a series of meetings over the country it is intended to increase the awareness in the Armenian society about the various religious convictions and create an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding whereby a variety of religion is viewed upon as an asset for the society.
One of the means of highlighting the project is the newspaper “Civil Initiative” founded by HCA Vanadzor, and the web-site of the organization, where we present articles about each religious organization we meet and hold interviews. The articles present the activities of these organizations, their achievements and problems.
The project creates rather positive and negative impact among the society. One of the negative responds we got was a letter sent to Arthur Sakunts - the editor of the newspaper “Civil Initiative” and coordinator of HCA Vanadzor. The letter was received on June 18, by Hayk Hakobyan representing the organization “Hay Arineri Miutyun” (Armenian fascist organization “Arians”), who blamed Arthur Sakunts for undertaking such activities. The text of the letter is as follows:
“Mr. Sakunts, we condemn you to death. Maybe you will ask why. I will answer. - For writing some nonsense in the latest issue of your newspaper “Civil Initiative”, you write it without any shame. DEATH TO HELSINKI CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY AND SAKUNTS”.
HCA Vanadzor applied to the prosecutor’s office of Lori region in connection with this case.
HCA Vanadzor calls our supporters to follow this case closely, as well as to monitor the activities of the organization “Hay Arineri Miutyun”.
We will be very consistent in creating atmosphere of tolerance and forming a pluralistic society in Armenia and we will hope for your continued support.

Arthur Sakunts,
coordinator of HCA Vanadzor
editor of “Civil Initiative”