“The Military without Murderers”. Protest action near the RA Government Building

On September 1, 2011 many human rights activists and mothers whose sons were murdered during cease-fire periods, held a protest demonstration near the RA Government building.

The participants were dressed in black as a symbol of the solidarity of mothers who lost their sons. “The Military without Murderers” initiative was launched on “Facebook” the social network site, after media disseminations over the death of soldier, Aghasi Abrahamyan from the NK “Eghnikner” military unit on August 26, 2011. A group of youth, activist and NGO representatives banded together in protest holding posters, declaring, “A Military without Murderers”, “A Nation that cannot maintain its own military,  should maintain that of others?”, “Undeclared war against Armenian Soldiers”, “It is not enough to Keep Silent”.

“The activists claim fair justice and disclosure of those who implement the crimes”, informs a correspondent of Henaran.am from the protest site where a group of police officials stood control. The mothers of deceased soldiers have addressed an open letter to the RA Minister of Defense, Seyran Ohanyan, that states: “Mr. Minister, we kindly request that you provide us with information on how the RA regulates the military service of RA citizens in Nagorno Karabakh.” According to the Henaran.am correspondent, the demonstration near the Government building is still in progress. The mothers of deceased soldiers and human rights activists note that they will wait until the Government session is over and the ministers come out of the Government building. A number of human rights organizations like “Transparency International”, public activists, human rights activists, Avetik Ishkhanyan and Artur Sakunts joined the protest. “It is well known that appalling things have been happening in the army.

Half of the Armenian population serves in the army and it means there is a mine against society? Because there are many death cases, it means there is some flawed systemic influences that should be fixed”, writer and publicist, Marine Petrosyan told Henaran.am. According to human rights activist, Artur Sakunts, the demonstration actions will be continuous; it will be the beginning of a serious public revolution because of the succession of murder cases in the army and lack of disclosure and prevention of those cases”. Sakunts also noted that they will request full disclosure of all recorded cases, an objective investigation from the Minister of Defense as well as preventative measures so that no such cases will re-occur in the future. “In particular, because of the upcoming Autumn call-up, the Minister of Defense must ensure that recruits who pay their duty to their country,  should also have a commitment from the RA of  security during their service in the army”, noted the human rights activist. Addressing the recent case of a murder recorded in the army, Sakunts points out, “The Minister of Defense and the Military Prosecutor have personally visited the crime scene, but they should be present at all cases.

When they declare that they monitor an investigation in person, it means they have not done so previously which in itself is anincriminating confession.”

The human rights activist hopes that this initiative will finally yield tangible results. It should be noted that the participants will not limit themselves to this action as additional demonstrations and marches of revolt will be organized.

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