«Դիտորդի Վարկածը _3» գրքույկի վերջաբանը:
2 months ago
Showing posts with label Nikol Pashinyan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nikol Pashinyan. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
Friday, August 12, 2011
"Our home is the struggle; we have no home other than the struggle"
"As long as the Republic of Armenia has not rid itself of the criminal regime, as long as it has not become a happy and joyous country, our home is the struggle, we have no home other than the struggle"- N. Pashinyan, on the occasion of the release of 3 of the 7 youth oppositionists - Areg Gevorgyan, Davit Kiramijyan, and Sahak Muradyan. A fourth, Vahagn Gevorgyan, was released a little while later.
It was barely over two months since the last remaining political prisoners in Armenia had been released - apparently it was too long for this regime... they had to go and get some more.
3 are being kept in detention for 2 months - Tigran Arakelyan, Artak Karapetyan, and Sargis Gevorgyan. All 7 are charged with hooliganism and assaulting officers.
And for those who still haven't seen the video evidence of the wounds inflicted on the youth by the police:
And for a great interpretation/representation of Police Chief Alik Sargsyan's response, see Teymurazyan's post on it!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
That's 3...
It's been almost 2 days since Pashinyan, Mikaelyan and the remaining political prisoners were set free under the cover of an amnesty which released hundreds.
The next meeting is in 2 days, on May 31 - it will be the second on to be held in Liberty Square.
The March 1 investigation is supposedly underway.
That's three. A difficult three for Sargsyan, I think. He's playing chess with the opposition, and he's walking a fine tightrope stretched over shark-infested waters with his established "colleagues" - slowly, carefully, stepping forward while trying to keep his options open, and watch his back, perhaps literally...
But what is making him take such risky steps? Is it the fear of social upheaval, as some say? Is it the realization that there may be limitations to just how long and severely the country can be financially ravaged by this regime? Is it international pressure regarding NK and Turkey? Or perhaps Sargsyan's conscience is finally waking up from its coma... (less likely, but I thought I'd throw it in there).
I honestly don't know. But it seems that he has decided that careful baby steps toward the opposition are in his best interest. Or, another way of looking at it, perhaps he has started down a road, and has a goal in his sights, but he needs the opposition to get there.
Dialogue is next, and is always difficult. The depth and breadth of problems facing the country are enormous. The remaining 12 demands (list here) are only the tip of the iceberg, but they're a start.
The next meeting is in 2 days, on May 31 - it will be the second on to be held in Liberty Square.
The March 1 investigation is supposedly underway.
That's three. A difficult three for Sargsyan, I think. He's playing chess with the opposition, and he's walking a fine tightrope stretched over shark-infested waters with his established "colleagues" - slowly, carefully, stepping forward while trying to keep his options open, and watch his back, perhaps literally...
But what is making him take such risky steps? Is it the fear of social upheaval, as some say? Is it the realization that there may be limitations to just how long and severely the country can be financially ravaged by this regime? Is it international pressure regarding NK and Turkey? Or perhaps Sargsyan's conscience is finally waking up from its coma... (less likely, but I thought I'd throw it in there).
I honestly don't know. But it seems that he has decided that careful baby steps toward the opposition are in his best interest. Or, another way of looking at it, perhaps he has started down a road, and has a goal in his sights, but he needs the opposition to get there.
Dialogue is next, and is always difficult. The depth and breadth of problems facing the country are enormous. The remaining 12 demands (list here) are only the tip of the iceberg, but they're a start.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Pashinyan in Court, 6 May
Այսօր ժամը 12:00-ին և 14:00-ին «Արթիկ» քրեակատարողական հիմնարկում կայացել է քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի գործով երկու դատական նիստ: Փաշինյանը ՀՀ վարչական դատարանից պահանջել է չեղյալ համարել «Կոշ» ՔԿՀ պետի 2010 թվականի սեպտեմբերի 28-ին և նոյեմբերի 16-ին կայացրած` իրեն կարգապահական տույժի ենթարկելու մասին որոշումները: Երկու դեպքում էլ հայցի քննությունը հետաձգվել է:
Նշենք, որ լրագրողներին արգելվել է նկարահանել դատական նիստի ընթացքը: Epress.am-ի օպերատորին նույնպես ստիպել են տեսախցիկը թողնել մեքենայի մեջ, սակայն մեր թղթակցին հաջողվել է բջջային հեռախոսով որոշ կադրեր անել:
Video and Caption are from Epress.am Despite cameras being forbidden from Pashinyan's hearing today, one of the reporters managed to grab this footage.
I like the guard standing to the right of Pashinyan. He seems to be much more a part of the audience, listening and considering the logic being presented by the prisoner/defendant in front of him, rather than a guard. He seems to catch himself, too, appearing too interested, but then can't seem to help but get sucked in again.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին Աֆրիկայից թուղթ ու գրիչ են ուղարկել
Direct from Epress:
Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին Աֆրիկայից թուղթ ու գրիչ են ուղարկել
Հայաստանյան լրատվամիջոցների ակցիան` հերթափոխով հարցեր ուղղել «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ-ում պահվող «Հայկական ժամանակ» թերթի գլխավոր խմբագիր, քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին ու հետամուտ լինել նրանից պատասխաններ ստանալուն, այդպիսով` փորձ անելով վերացնել Փաշինյանի նամակագրության խոչընդոտները, հեռուն է գնացել, գրում է «Չորրորդ ինքնիշխանություն» օրաթերթը:
«Երեկ «ՉԻ» օրաթերթը էլեկտրոնային նամակ է ստացել Աֆրիկայից, որի հեղինակը գրում է. «Ձեր լրագրողների` Նիկոլին հերթով նամակ գրելու ակցիայի շրջանակներում Աֆրիկայից Նիկոլին թուղթ ու գրիչ եմ ուղարկել: Կից ձեզ եմ ուղարկում DHL-ի ստացականն ու ծանրոցի ուղարկման փաստաթուղթը: Դրանով նույնիսկ օնլայն կարող եք հետևել, թե ծանրոցը ուր է հասել: Խնդրում եմ ուշադրության տակ պահեք` արդյո՞ք այն հասցնում եմ Նիկոլին , թե՞ ոչ: Երեկ եմ ուղարկել, հավանաբար վաղը (այսինք այսօր – «ՉԻ») այդտեղ պետք է լինի: Դե հասկանում եք, որ սա սիմվոլիկ բան է`թուղթ ու գրիչ Աֆրիկայից: Դե լավ եղեք, շուտով կհանդիպենք»»:
Brilliant.
Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին Աֆրիկայից թուղթ ու գրիչ են ուղարկել
Հայաստանյան լրատվամիջոցների ակցիան` հերթափոխով հարցեր ուղղել «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ-ում պահվող «Հայկական ժամանակ» թերթի գլխավոր խմբագիր, քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին ու հետամուտ լինել նրանից պատասխաններ ստանալուն, այդպիսով` փորձ անելով վերացնել Փաշինյանի նամակագրության խոչընդոտները, հեռուն է գնացել, գրում է «Չորրորդ ինքնիշխանություն» օրաթերթը:
«Երեկ «ՉԻ» օրաթերթը էլեկտրոնային նամակ է ստացել Աֆրիկայից, որի հեղինակը գրում է. «Ձեր լրագրողների` Նիկոլին հերթով նամակ գրելու ակցիայի շրջանակներում Աֆրիկայից Նիկոլին թուղթ ու գրիչ եմ ուղարկել: Կից ձեզ եմ ուղարկում DHL-ի ստացականն ու ծանրոցի ուղարկման փաստաթուղթը: Դրանով նույնիսկ օնլայն կարող եք հետևել, թե ծանրոցը ուր է հասել: Խնդրում եմ ուշադրության տակ պահեք` արդյո՞ք այն հասցնում եմ Նիկոլին , թե՞ ոչ: Երեկ եմ ուղարկել, հավանաբար վաղը (այսինք այսօր – «ՉԻ») այդտեղ պետք է լինի: Դե հասկանում եք, որ սա սիմվոլիկ բան է`թուղթ ու գրիչ Աֆրիկայից: Դե լավ եղեք, շուտով կհանդիպենք»»:
Brilliant.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Pashinyan in Court
This video was put up less than a week ago. I kept hoping it would get transcribed (and even translated), and I'd be able to post it with more info, but no luck.
Its absolutely incredible. Pashinyan uses simple language, simple allegory, satire and comedy, and simple logic, to show just how ludicrous the court system, and the entire regime, is.
I've posted it below, with some very rough transcription and translation of some segments... what I've put there are just a few of the jewels, there are a lot more, but no amount of translation does it justice.
Pashinyan starts out by giving an incredible example of the completely absurdity of the regime and justice system that stands in Armenia today, by giving an overly complicated and completely irrelevant example answer, that would be given by the regime, to the question, is this piece of paper black or white? Then he goes on…
Its absolutely incredible. Pashinyan uses simple language, simple allegory, satire and comedy, and simple logic, to show just how ludicrous the court system, and the entire regime, is.
I've posted it below, with some very rough transcription and translation of some segments... what I've put there are just a few of the jewels, there are a lot more, but no amount of translation does it justice.
Pashinyan starts out by giving an incredible example of the completely absurdity of the regime and justice system that stands in Armenia today, by giving an overly complicated and completely irrelevant example answer, that would be given by the regime, to the question, is this piece of paper black or white? Then he goes on…
I will do the same experiment with this piece of paper [as an analogy to his jail sentence and amnesty]
The Amnesty says, halve the portion of this paper that has nothing [written] on it
The court says, there is no portion of the paper without anything written on it, and for that reason we cannot halve it.
But in reality, this paper, in its entirety, has nothing on it. That is, the portion of the paper that has nothing on it, is the entire paper. And to halve the portion that has nothing on it is to fold it (folding it), we fold it in equal halves, and honorable court, halve it in equal portions (tearing it in half).
This primitive [concept], my numerous lawyers have been unable to make the ‘Justice System’ of Armenia comprehend this.
It’s not that they cannot make them understand. Our Armenia’s ‘Justice System’ does not understand, cannot understand and wants to act as though it is, excuse the expression, obtuse.
… there is no independent justice system in the Republic of Armenia. If there were, the Republic of Armenia would not be in the situation it is today…
… if there were a lawful government in the Republic of Armenia, honorable court, if there were a lawful government in the Republic of Armenia, if there were a lawful prosecutor’s office, if there were a lawful court [system], if laws functioned in the Republic of Armenia, this court hearing would not be happening; because I would not be at Artik penitentiary, and I wouldn’t have a problem transferring a piece of paper to my lawyer, and the Criminal and Justice Ministry of the Republic of Armenia would not be so depraved as to lie so obviously in front of the Armenian people…
.. my experience had shown me that the judges in this country have a hearing problem…
… the government of this country does not have enough morality to stand face to face and talk ... the government talks to me through its oligarchs, through its courts…
Monday, February 14, 2011
Մեր պայքարը անկասելի է, մեր Հաղթանակը անխուսափելի է
Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հայտարարությունը «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ-ում (տեսագրություն)
Written Statement in Armenian on 1in.am
Epress article: Pashinyan Chronicles: Imprisoned Journalist Spent 2.5 Hours Waiting in Prison Reception (Updated)
Written Statement in Armenian on 1in.am
Epress article: Pashinyan Chronicles: Imprisoned Journalist Spent 2.5 Hours Waiting in Prison Reception (Updated)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
After over two months...
From Epress (Eng, Arm):
Yesterday, local daily Haykakan Jamanak received an envelope from its chief editor, imprisoned journalist Nikol Pashinyan. This is the first package that the editorial office has received from Pashinyan since Nov. 13, 2010. Recall that after Pashinyan was moved to Artik penitentiary, the newspaper stopped receiving his articles. On numerous occasions, Pashinyan said he wrote daily and submitted his articles to prison staff, but only the last, which was submitted to prison administration on Jan. 9 in the presence of Artur Sakunts, head of a citizens’ group monitoring prisons in Armenia, reached its destination.
The article, written on Dec. 23, 2010, appears, in part, below:
“Fear has overtaken me, a terrible fear. I am afraid to disappoint… Snippets from online conversations reach me, in which users express their opinions about me. They are many, diverse, from wholly negative to wholeheartedly positive. My fear is before the latter group, those, to put it mildly, say positive things about me. To put it mildly. There are opinions that long ago crossed the limits of average positive [comments].”
Pashinyan goes on to quote one Facebook user, who apparently said: “Remembering him, I believe in morality, will, honesty; remembering him, I try not to betray myself.” Pashinyan says that though it’s nice to hear such comments aimed at him, it is also caused him to be afraid:
“From the moment that I picked up a pen for the first time and wrote a story, I proved to myself, that I am now a public figure, and I wanted, very much wanted, to be flawless. Flawless in honesty, flawless in morality, flawless in righteousness, flawless with my aims… I won’t say that I’ve subverted this work, but flaws, as you know, have come up.
“Honest, faultless, righteous, moral, unselfish: when I come across such words to describe me, even in minor cases, I regret that I could not be perfect, and never will I be able to.
“Next, I fear that the use of such words, epithets, are proof that the person in question, the author, that one person, that +1, the single satellite, has searched for something important to him and found it in my actions. He is inspired by me, proud, amazed, and receives a small, but important positive charge from that, perhaps becoming a participant in the struggle for a Free and Happy Armenia and does so thinking that I, Nikol Pashinyan, am honest, righteous, moral, unselfish. And here is where the fear arises.
“And what would happen to that man if one day he finds out that that same Nikol Pashinyan in this or that year at this or that place made a dishonest step toward such and such a person.
[...]
“I have wished, always wished, to be flawless because I have understood that I am accountable before others, for others… Life, lifestyle, the race, competition, and sometimes hopelessness brought about those flaws. There were wrong and suspicious deeds.
“A fear has overtaken me. I am afraid to disappoint.
“P.S. I am also afraid of you misinterpreting what I wrote. Don’t misunderstand. And don’t be afraid. I won’t disappoint.”
Երեկ «Հայկական ժամանակ» օրաթերթի խմբագրությունը ծրար է ստացել օրաթերթի գլխավոր խմբագիր, քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանից: Սա առաջին ծրարն է, որը խմբագրությունը ստացել է նախորդ տարվա նոյեմբերի 13-ից: Հիշեցնենք, որ «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ տեղափոխվելուց հետո Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հոդվածները օրաթերթը չէր ստանում: Փաշինյանը բազմիցս հայտնել էր, որ այս ընթացքում նա ամեն օր հոդված է գրել և ծրար փոխանցել ՔԿՀ վարչակազմին, սակայն միայն վերջինը, որը հունվարի 9-ին ՔԿՀ վարչակազմին է փոխանցվել ՔԿՀ-ներում դիտորդական առաքելություն իրականացվող հասարակական խմբի ղեկավար Արթուր Սաքունցի ներկայությամբ, տեղ է հասել:
Հոդվածը, որը գրվել է 2010 թվականի դեկտեմբերի 23-ին ներկայացնում ենք ամբողջությամբ.
«Վախ է մտել մեջս, ահավոր մի վախ: Վախենում եմ հիասթափեցնել…
Ինձ պատառիկներ են հասնում ինտերնետային քննարկումներից, որոնց մասնակիցները կարծիքներ են արտահայտում իմ մասին: Դրանք բազմազան են, բազմաշերտ` ի սրտե բացասականից մինչև ի սրտե դրական: Վախս, ահա այս վերջին խմբում գտնվող մարդկանց առջև է, ովքեր, մեղմ ասած` դրական կարծիքներ են արտահայտում իմ մասին: Մեղմ ասած: Կան կարծիքներ, որոնք վաղուց են հատել սովորական դրականի սահմանագիծը:
Facebook սոցիալական ցանցում, օրինակ, մի այցելու իմ մասին թողել է հետևյալ գրությունը.«Իրեն հիշելով` ես հավատում եմ բարոյականությանը, կամքին, ազնվությանը, իրեն հիշելով` փորձում եմ չդավաճանել ինքս ինձ»:
Ի՞նչն է ուրեմն վախեցնում ինձ. մի՞թե հաճելի չէ սեփական անձի մասին այսպիսի թեկուզ մեկ կարծիք լսել: Հաճելի է, բայց նաև` վախենալու…
Այն պահից, երբ առաջին անգամ գրիչ եմ վերցրել և հոդված գրել` ինքս ինձ հաշիվ եմ տվել, որ հրապարակային դեմք եմ այլևս և ցանկացել եմ, շատ եմ ցանկացել լինել անբիծ: Անբիծ ազնվությամբ, անբիծ բարոյականությամբ, անբիծ արդարությամբ, անբիծ նպատակներով: Քավ լիցի, չեմ ասի, թե տապալել եմ այդ գործը, բայց բծեր, ինչպես հասկանում եք, առաջացել են: Կյանքը, կենցաղը, մրցավազքը, մրցակցությունը, երբեմն` անելանելիությունը առաջացրել են այդ բծերը: Եղել են սխալ և կասկածելի արարքներ:
Ազնիվ, անբիծ, արդար, բարոյական, անշահախնդիր. ինձ բնորոշելու համար այսպիսի բառերի օգտագործման թեկուզ աննշան դեպքերի հանդիպելիս ես ափսոսում եմ, որ չեմ կարողացել կատարյալ լինել և երբեք էլ չեմ կարողանա:
Հաջորդ պահին վախենում եմ, որովհետև նման բառերի, մակդիրների օգտագործումը ապացույցն է, որ տվյալ անձը, գրության հեղինակը, այդ մեկ հոգին,1+ այդ միակ, եզակի հետևորդը իր համար կարևոր ինչ-որ բան է փնտրել և գտել իմ գործունեության մեջ: Նա ոգևորվում է ինձանով, հպարտանում, հիանում և դրանից մի չնչին, բայց կարևոր դրական լիցք է ստանում, գուցե և դառնում Ազատ և Երջանիկ Հայաստանի համար մղվող պայքարի հետևորդ և դա անում է` մտածելով որ ես` Նիկոլ Փաշինյանս, ազնիվ եմ, արդար, բարոյական, անշահախնդիր: Ահա այստեղ է, որ վեր է հառնում վախը:
Իսկ ինչ կլինի այդ մարդու հետ, եթե նա մի օր իմանա, որ այդ նույն Նիկոլ Փաշինյանն այսինչ տարվա այսինչ վայրում անազնիվ մի քայլ է արել այսինչի նկատմամբ:
Կամ` անարդար է վարվել այսինչի հետ:
Կամ` բարոյապես կասկածելի ինչ-որ արարք է թույլ տվել:
Կամ` շահախնդրություն է ցուցաբերել այսինչ հարցում:
Կամ` կամ, կամ, կամ…
Ցանկացել եմ, միշտ ցանկացել եմ անբիծ լինել, որովհետև հասկացել եմ, որ պատասխանատու եմ մարդկանց առջև, մարդկանց համար: Չեմ ասի, թե տապալել եմ այդ գործը, բայց` հասկանո՞ւմ եք, բծերից խուսափել չի հաջողվել: Կյանքը, կենցաղը, մրցավազքը, մրցակցությունը, երբեմն` անելանելիությունը առաջացրել են այդ բծերը: Եղել են սխալ և կասկածելի արարքներ:
Վախ է մտել մեջս, ահավոր մի վախ: Վախենում եմ հիասթափեցնել:
Հ.Գ. Նաև վախենում եմ գրածս սխալ հասկանաք: Սխալ չհասկանաք: Ու չվախենաք: Չեմ հիասթափեցնի»:
Yesterday, local daily Haykakan Jamanak received an envelope from its chief editor, imprisoned journalist Nikol Pashinyan. This is the first package that the editorial office has received from Pashinyan since Nov. 13, 2010. Recall that after Pashinyan was moved to Artik penitentiary, the newspaper stopped receiving his articles. On numerous occasions, Pashinyan said he wrote daily and submitted his articles to prison staff, but only the last, which was submitted to prison administration on Jan. 9 in the presence of Artur Sakunts, head of a citizens’ group monitoring prisons in Armenia, reached its destination.
The article, written on Dec. 23, 2010, appears, in part, below:
“Fear has overtaken me, a terrible fear. I am afraid to disappoint… Snippets from online conversations reach me, in which users express their opinions about me. They are many, diverse, from wholly negative to wholeheartedly positive. My fear is before the latter group, those, to put it mildly, say positive things about me. To put it mildly. There are opinions that long ago crossed the limits of average positive [comments].”
Pashinyan goes on to quote one Facebook user, who apparently said: “Remembering him, I believe in morality, will, honesty; remembering him, I try not to betray myself.” Pashinyan says that though it’s nice to hear such comments aimed at him, it is also caused him to be afraid:
“From the moment that I picked up a pen for the first time and wrote a story, I proved to myself, that I am now a public figure, and I wanted, very much wanted, to be flawless. Flawless in honesty, flawless in morality, flawless in righteousness, flawless with my aims… I won’t say that I’ve subverted this work, but flaws, as you know, have come up.
“Honest, faultless, righteous, moral, unselfish: when I come across such words to describe me, even in minor cases, I regret that I could not be perfect, and never will I be able to.
“Next, I fear that the use of such words, epithets, are proof that the person in question, the author, that one person, that +1, the single satellite, has searched for something important to him and found it in my actions. He is inspired by me, proud, amazed, and receives a small, but important positive charge from that, perhaps becoming a participant in the struggle for a Free and Happy Armenia and does so thinking that I, Nikol Pashinyan, am honest, righteous, moral, unselfish. And here is where the fear arises.
“And what would happen to that man if one day he finds out that that same Nikol Pashinyan in this or that year at this or that place made a dishonest step toward such and such a person.
[...]
“I have wished, always wished, to be flawless because I have understood that I am accountable before others, for others… Life, lifestyle, the race, competition, and sometimes hopelessness brought about those flaws. There were wrong and suspicious deeds.
“A fear has overtaken me. I am afraid to disappoint.
“P.S. I am also afraid of you misinterpreting what I wrote. Don’t misunderstand. And don’t be afraid. I won’t disappoint.”
Երեկ «Հայկական ժամանակ» օրաթերթի խմբագրությունը ծրար է ստացել օրաթերթի գլխավոր խմբագիր, քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանից: Սա առաջին ծրարն է, որը խմբագրությունը ստացել է նախորդ տարվա նոյեմբերի 13-ից: Հիշեցնենք, որ «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ տեղափոխվելուց հետո Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հոդվածները օրաթերթը չէր ստանում: Փաշինյանը բազմիցս հայտնել էր, որ այս ընթացքում նա ամեն օր հոդված է գրել և ծրար փոխանցել ՔԿՀ վարչակազմին, սակայն միայն վերջինը, որը հունվարի 9-ին ՔԿՀ վարչակազմին է փոխանցվել ՔԿՀ-ներում դիտորդական առաքելություն իրականացվող հասարակական խմբի ղեկավար Արթուր Սաքունցի ներկայությամբ, տեղ է հասել:
Հոդվածը, որը գրվել է 2010 թվականի դեկտեմբերի 23-ին ներկայացնում ենք ամբողջությամբ.
«Վախ է մտել մեջս, ահավոր մի վախ: Վախենում եմ հիասթափեցնել…
Ինձ պատառիկներ են հասնում ինտերնետային քննարկումներից, որոնց մասնակիցները կարծիքներ են արտահայտում իմ մասին: Դրանք բազմազան են, բազմաշերտ` ի սրտե բացասականից մինչև ի սրտե դրական: Վախս, ահա այս վերջին խմբում գտնվող մարդկանց առջև է, ովքեր, մեղմ ասած` դրական կարծիքներ են արտահայտում իմ մասին: Մեղմ ասած: Կան կարծիքներ, որոնք վաղուց են հատել սովորական դրականի սահմանագիծը:
Facebook սոցիալական ցանցում, օրինակ, մի այցելու իմ մասին թողել է հետևյալ գրությունը.«Իրեն հիշելով` ես հավատում եմ բարոյականությանը, կամքին, ազնվությանը, իրեն հիշելով` փորձում եմ չդավաճանել ինքս ինձ»:
Ի՞նչն է ուրեմն վախեցնում ինձ. մի՞թե հաճելի չէ սեփական անձի մասին այսպիսի թեկուզ մեկ կարծիք լսել: Հաճելի է, բայց նաև` վախենալու…
Այն պահից, երբ առաջին անգամ գրիչ եմ վերցրել և հոդված գրել` ինքս ինձ հաշիվ եմ տվել, որ հրապարակային դեմք եմ այլևս և ցանկացել եմ, շատ եմ ցանկացել լինել անբիծ: Անբիծ ազնվությամբ, անբիծ բարոյականությամբ, անբիծ արդարությամբ, անբիծ նպատակներով: Քավ լիցի, չեմ ասի, թե տապալել եմ այդ գործը, բայց բծեր, ինչպես հասկանում եք, առաջացել են: Կյանքը, կենցաղը, մրցավազքը, մրցակցությունը, երբեմն` անելանելիությունը առաջացրել են այդ բծերը: Եղել են սխալ և կասկածելի արարքներ:
Ազնիվ, անբիծ, արդար, բարոյական, անշահախնդիր. ինձ բնորոշելու համար այսպիսի բառերի օգտագործման թեկուզ աննշան դեպքերի հանդիպելիս ես ափսոսում եմ, որ չեմ կարողացել կատարյալ լինել և երբեք էլ չեմ կարողանա:
Հաջորդ պահին վախենում եմ, որովհետև նման բառերի, մակդիրների օգտագործումը ապացույցն է, որ տվյալ անձը, գրության հեղինակը, այդ մեկ հոգին,1+ այդ միակ, եզակի հետևորդը իր համար կարևոր ինչ-որ բան է փնտրել և գտել իմ գործունեության մեջ: Նա ոգևորվում է ինձանով, հպարտանում, հիանում և դրանից մի չնչին, բայց կարևոր դրական լիցք է ստանում, գուցե և դառնում Ազատ և Երջանիկ Հայաստանի համար մղվող պայքարի հետևորդ և դա անում է` մտածելով որ ես` Նիկոլ Փաշինյանս, ազնիվ եմ, արդար, բարոյական, անշահախնդիր: Ահա այստեղ է, որ վեր է հառնում վախը:
Իսկ ինչ կլինի այդ մարդու հետ, եթե նա մի օր իմանա, որ այդ նույն Նիկոլ Փաշինյանն այսինչ տարվա այսինչ վայրում անազնիվ մի քայլ է արել այսինչի նկատմամբ:
Կամ` անարդար է վարվել այսինչի հետ:
Կամ` բարոյապես կասկածելի ինչ-որ արարք է թույլ տվել:
Կամ` շահախնդրություն է ցուցաբերել այսինչ հարցում:
Կամ` կամ, կամ, կամ…
Ցանկացել եմ, միշտ ցանկացել եմ անբիծ լինել, որովհետև հասկացել եմ, որ պատասխանատու եմ մարդկանց առջև, մարդկանց համար: Չեմ ասի, թե տապալել եմ այդ գործը, բայց` հասկանո՞ւմ եք, բծերից խուսափել չի հաջողվել: Կյանքը, կենցաղը, մրցավազքը, մրցակցությունը, երբեմն` անելանելիությունը առաջացրել են այդ բծերը: Եղել են սխալ և կասկածելի արարքներ:
Վախ է մտել մեջս, ահավոր մի վախ: Վախենում եմ հիասթափեցնել:
Հ.Գ. Նաև վախենում եմ գրածս սխալ հասկանաք: Սխալ չհասկանաք: Ու չվախենաք: Չեմ հիասթափեցնի»:
Monday, December 27, 2010
A pity for human rights in Bishkek - Good luck, Dollar Armen!
Gala TV is scheduled to lose its license in 2015, having "lost" its bid;A1plus is illegally shut out of broadcasting in Armenia;
The Kocharyan family is going after and trying to sue Zhamanak.com, recently having come out of their case against Haykakan Zhamanak;
Pashinyan has been moved, is in solitary, and his letters and articles are illegally confiscated; access to his lawyers is illegally reduced and monitored;
Liberty Square is still off limits to opposition supporters;
The state of human rights, of the right to freedom of speech and the press are being increasingly squashed at an abysmal rate...
But I have to admit... thinking of Dollar Armen (Armen Harutyunan) in Bishkek still makes me smile...
"According to press reports, Armen Harutyunyan will be appointed special representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asia and will soon leave for Bishkek" [a1plus]
Who one earth at the UN thought Harutyunyan would actually be a good candidate, that is, that he is actually interested in defending Human Rights? And what does it take to convince someone at the UN that one is so inclined?
Good luck in Bishkek, Armen! If you can, take some of your friends with you - Dodi Gago, Lfik Samo, Nemets Rubo, Chorni Gago, Kocharyan, Sargsyan, Alik Sargsyan, Bazaz... and the whole lot of them!
You take those guys to Bishkek, and we'll be that much closer to getting A1plus, Gala, Liberty Square, Pashinyan, Mikaelyan, the rest of the political prisoners, and even basic human rights and democracy back in Armenia. It'll be the best thing you've done for Armenia so far!
Oh yeah, let's not forget the ARF still claiming they have anything to do with Human rights, and are not only independent of but are opposition to the government of Armenia - there's another smile...And now I'm ready for the new year ;)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
More Please... Pashinyan Graffiti hits Yerevan's Walls
Graffiti art depicting imprisoned journalist, chief editor of local daily Haykakan Jamanak ("Armenian Times") Nikol Pashinyan has been seen on the pedestrian underpass near the Chekhov school on Baghramyan Blvd. in central Yerevan.The graffiti is the work of "Art Laboratoria," al local group of painters and artists.
Recall that the same group is responsible for the now infamous graffiti art found on the walls of the pedestrian underpass near Vernissage market, on Khanjan street, depicting a soldier who has shot himself.
The work was much discussed in the Armenian blogosphere and was also included in an exhibit at the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art (ACCEA, or NPAK in Armenian).
[text and photo from epress.am]
Sunday, December 5, 2010
C'mon boys! Orders are in, let's move out! Don't forget the batons!
Time and time again there are scuffles when police mix with peaceful protesters in Armenia. It happened again at the rally organized in Ijevan, demanding the security and release of political prisoner Nikol Pashinyan. When there are no police, there is a peaceful demonstration. When the police are there, things escalate to pushing and pulling and other such scuffles, and even more. And when the order given from up on high so demands, we have events like March 1.
But why does it even get to the point in the picture, where the police are walking up ahead of peaceful protesters, batons in hand - and some of the police actually look baton-happy.
The police, the single individual low-level policeman, is in a 'tough' spot. He wants a job and security. To start out, he's (the vast majority of the time) clearly not going to be a man with strong principles of human rights or pacifism. So he justifies to himself how and why he takes the job. Maybe he learns to like the power, as do many in positions of physical and 'legal' authority. But then he faces his own citizens, maybe his own neighbor or someone he knows, or his kid's friend's father protesting in the street. He sees those people taking risks he did not, standing for things he does not, and yelling things like "Amot [shame]."
What is our new friend to do? Will he refuse orders given to him by the likes of Bazaz? Will he follow orders, no matter what?
He will turn to see what the others in his group are doing - we are, after all, pack animals. And if even just a few are following orders, so will he. And once he makes that decision, it becomes hard for him to turn back, and every further act of peace, every next "Amot" makes him angrier. Because, really, who wants to be made to feel guilty?
And so batons come out, and orders are followed.
That is where the violence starts. In the police, in the regime. It starts there when scuffles start at rallies, and it started in the police and the regime on March 1.
There are more batons than those circled in the picture above, they're just not visible in this shot, which is a still from Gagik Shamshyan's video on news.am, with the corresponding article (similar article in eng on a1plus).
The news.am article has a bunch of photos, and here's another still from the video.
If you look closely, you'll the see head policeman has a phone in his hand. He just got his orders, and now he's excited to move into the people. The beta-wolf got his orders from the alpha-wolf, and the pack is ready to move out!
My apologies to the few policemen, if any, who may actually be clean, civil, and human rights driven. My absolute commendation to those who have refused orders which they found to be unethical. Perhaps not in the police force, but we do know what happens to those who try to maintain an ethical code within the army. My condolences to their families.
P.S. This is in ABSOLUTELY NO way a justification or excuse for police behavior, just as studies such as the Milgram experiments and the Stanford Prisoner Experiment do not justify war atrocities carried out by soldiers.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Payqar, Payqar, Minchev Verj!
Update: hnazarian has posted another video of the same event, from epress, in which certain garbled segments can be heard more clearly than the one from a1plus below
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Serzh-like attacks, or, Attacks a la Serzh
[pic borrowed from nikol.am]
Recently there were reports of Pashinyan being harassed and attacked in prison. He is basically being pressured, nay, told, to stop writing, and the regime is using just about everything they can think of to try to stop him, as throwing him in jail has clearly not worked. In fact, the regime is subcontracting out to the those who can get to him while he is in prison, other prisoners.
I don't remember hearing of these attacks during the first bit of his imprisonment, but we've now had reports of a few such incidents - this is the second or third, or maybe even fourth? I'll have to start keeping actual track. The most recent one was November 3rd, and there were some mixed messages in the news about what happened. Pashinyan wrote a piece on it on November 5 in Armenian Times, however, and there seems to be a promise of more writing to come on this topic. Below is my unofficial, somewhat coarse but hopefully understandable translation:
Serzh-like Attacks
Once again, the public received information regarding yet another incident organized against me at Kosh penitentiary. I will say right off, that the news does correspond to the reality of what happened, and what took place provides a good opportunity to explain more completely the incidents involving my person which have occurred up until this point at Kosh.
1. Here, my friend, a flag for you
The most recent incident took place in the evening of November 3rd. Those among the inmates who had the reputation of being ‘soldati’ were involved in the operation. The ‘soldati,’ as I already mentioned, are inmates with different assignments. They receive various assignments to use force, and then carry them out. The acts of violence and intimidation which are committed against the other inmates are carried out through these individuals
The operation began in approximately the following way: first, under various pretexts, potential eyewitnesses were removed from around my sleeping area, the entrances and exits were closed, and one individual came forward as a representative of the criminal world and began demanding answers from me in an aggressive tone, asking why I do not behave like a normal inmate. With a restrained hardness I countered by asking him to explain exactly to which pretenses he was referring. That is, what was it I was being accused of, if anything, and what was being asked of me, if anything. As I expected, what he had to say was unclear and vague. Many worthy people do not find my published, articles, my political activities, or my general behavior to be pleasing. Naturally, I said that I am not ready to discuss my articles, my journalistic and political activities, regardless of whether they are “worthy” individuals or unworthy. Having understood that the conversation could not continue with this theme, the noted head ‘soldat’ of the operation changed his tactics and uttered an extremely important sentence, “Haven’t you been told to take that flag down from there?” Dear reader, I ask you to pay close attention so that you can imagine fully the situation. The quoted statement of the head ‘soldat’ refers to the flag of the Republic of Armenia- red, blue and apricot-colored. But not a big flag, but a small, souvenir-sized one. It measures six by twelve centimeters.
I have hung this type of flag in my sleeping area, above my head, for the entire time I have been in prison, at “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiary, “Nubarashen” penitentiary, and now at “Kosh” penitentiary. The ‘soldat’ was right; during a prior incident the attacking brigade had demanded that I get rid of the flag and that I not put it anywhere visible. The justification for this is not available, you will take it down and that is that, if you do not take it down, it will be bad. The last similar conversation had taken place about one month prior, and my flag has not been down for even one second. And so, with the organizers of the November 3rd incident having nothing concrete to say to me, they then aimed their activities at the flag, at the flag of the Republic of Armenia, demanding that it be taken down immediately, and never be put up again. Naturally, my response was unequivocal, and without question the flag had to stay above my head. It was on this topic that the conversation became more strained, and the head ‘soldat’ attacked me. As happens in such situations, a large number of people had gathered near my sleeping area, and it was hard to tell who was friends with whom. And despite the fact that the officers of the penitentiary come running and gather like flies at every inmate’s every sneeze, for the approximately fifteen minutes during which there was yelling and loud conversation, not a single officer showed up. The story ended with a “hesitant scuffle,” and the sides maintained their positions. The opposing side insisted that I no longer write articles in the newspaper, and that I must take down the flag of the Republic of Armenia from above my head. You now read an article which was written after the abovementioned incident, and the flag of the RA continues to hang above my head. And that is how it will always be.
P.S. In upcoming chapters I will reflect on other incidents that have occurred to me at “Kosh” and conversations about them that are circulating outside.
Recently there were reports of Pashinyan being harassed and attacked in prison. He is basically being pressured, nay, told, to stop writing, and the regime is using just about everything they can think of to try to stop him, as throwing him in jail has clearly not worked. In fact, the regime is subcontracting out to the those who can get to him while he is in prison, other prisoners.I don't remember hearing of these attacks during the first bit of his imprisonment, but we've now had reports of a few such incidents - this is the second or third, or maybe even fourth? I'll have to start keeping actual track. The most recent one was November 3rd, and there were some mixed messages in the news about what happened. Pashinyan wrote a piece on it on November 5 in Armenian Times, however, and there seems to be a promise of more writing to come on this topic. Below is my unofficial, somewhat coarse but hopefully understandable translation:
Serzh-like Attacks
Once again, the public received information regarding yet another incident organized against me at Kosh penitentiary. I will say right off, that the news does correspond to the reality of what happened, and what took place provides a good opportunity to explain more completely the incidents involving my person which have occurred up until this point at Kosh.
1. Here, my friend, a flag for you
The most recent incident took place in the evening of November 3rd. Those among the inmates who had the reputation of being ‘soldati’ were involved in the operation. The ‘soldati,’ as I already mentioned, are inmates with different assignments. They receive various assignments to use force, and then carry them out. The acts of violence and intimidation which are committed against the other inmates are carried out through these individuals
The operation began in approximately the following way: first, under various pretexts, potential eyewitnesses were removed from around my sleeping area, the entrances and exits were closed, and one individual came forward as a representative of the criminal world and began demanding answers from me in an aggressive tone, asking why I do not behave like a normal inmate. With a restrained hardness I countered by asking him to explain exactly to which pretenses he was referring. That is, what was it I was being accused of, if anything, and what was being asked of me, if anything. As I expected, what he had to say was unclear and vague. Many worthy people do not find my published, articles, my political activities, or my general behavior to be pleasing. Naturally, I said that I am not ready to discuss my articles, my journalistic and political activities, regardless of whether they are “worthy” individuals or unworthy. Having understood that the conversation could not continue with this theme, the noted head ‘soldat’ of the operation changed his tactics and uttered an extremely important sentence, “Haven’t you been told to take that flag down from there?” Dear reader, I ask you to pay close attention so that you can imagine fully the situation. The quoted statement of the head ‘soldat’ refers to the flag of the Republic of Armenia- red, blue and apricot-colored. But not a big flag, but a small, souvenir-sized one. It measures six by twelve centimeters.
I have hung this type of flag in my sleeping area, above my head, for the entire time I have been in prison, at “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiary, “Nubarashen” penitentiary, and now at “Kosh” penitentiary. The ‘soldat’ was right; during a prior incident the attacking brigade had demanded that I get rid of the flag and that I not put it anywhere visible. The justification for this is not available, you will take it down and that is that, if you do not take it down, it will be bad. The last similar conversation had taken place about one month prior, and my flag has not been down for even one second. And so, with the organizers of the November 3rd incident having nothing concrete to say to me, they then aimed their activities at the flag, at the flag of the Republic of Armenia, demanding that it be taken down immediately, and never be put up again. Naturally, my response was unequivocal, and without question the flag had to stay above my head. It was on this topic that the conversation became more strained, and the head ‘soldat’ attacked me. As happens in such situations, a large number of people had gathered near my sleeping area, and it was hard to tell who was friends with whom. And despite the fact that the officers of the penitentiary come running and gather like flies at every inmate’s every sneeze, for the approximately fifteen minutes during which there was yelling and loud conversation, not a single officer showed up. The story ended with a “hesitant scuffle,” and the sides maintained their positions. The opposing side insisted that I no longer write articles in the newspaper, and that I must take down the flag of the Republic of Armenia from above my head. You now read an article which was written after the abovementioned incident, and the flag of the RA continues to hang above my head. And that is how it will always be.
P.S. In upcoming chapters I will reflect on other incidents that have occurred to me at “Kosh” and conversations about them that are circulating outside.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
On Freedoms and Prisoners in Armenia
I saw this article and thought that there is, indeed, hope for the near future, that is, for the release of the political prisoners:
Armenian Opposition Leader Upbeat on Prisoner Release
If it is true, it is wonderful news for many families, for democracy, justice, and for Armenia.
But there are three political prisoners whom this banditocracy, this oligarchy cannot afford to release, because of who or what they are, and the freedoms that they represent. I think that if any two of these three were to be released, perhaps even just one, well, a lot might happen....
They are, in my opinion, A1plus TV, Liberty Square, and Nikol Pashinyan.
Read, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Speech.
And my guess is that this regime will release, when they have to, all of the political prisoners except these last three...
And with the feigned ignorance of the Council of Europe/PACE, another two years could go by without any change or aid on the part of such institutions, with empty resolutions and more bargaining...
And then what will be of the next elections?
I ask not because I think the future of Armenia lay in the good deeds of those outside, but rather, because as we saw beginning in the Spring of 2008, it may in fact lay in their convenient, unconscionable and utterly destructive willful ignorance.
Armenian Opposition Leader Upbeat on Prisoner Release
If it is true, it is wonderful news for many families, for democracy, justice, and for Armenia.
But there are three political prisoners whom this banditocracy, this oligarchy cannot afford to release, because of who or what they are, and the freedoms that they represent. I think that if any two of these three were to be released, perhaps even just one, well, a lot might happen....
They are, in my opinion, A1plus TV, Liberty Square, and Nikol Pashinyan.
Read, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Speech.
And my guess is that this regime will release, when they have to, all of the political prisoners except these last three...
And with the feigned ignorance of the Council of Europe/PACE, another two years could go by without any change or aid on the part of such institutions, with empty resolutions and more bargaining...
And then what will be of the next elections?
I ask not because I think the future of Armenia lay in the good deeds of those outside, but rather, because as we saw beginning in the Spring of 2008, it may in fact lay in their convenient, unconscionable and utterly destructive willful ignorance.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Political prisoners, violations, and silence all continue...
Lindblad is in essence boycotting the Council of Europe Democracy Forum which is to be held later this month in Yerevan. Having apparently voted against the forum being held in Armenia in the first place, he has stated recently that time and again the scheduled visits by co-rapporteurs to Armenia have been postponed, and members of the Armenian government have denied requests to meet with the Co-rapporteurs on the sidelines of the Forum. In a letter addressed to the Chair of the Armenian Delegation, he harshly criticized the Armenian government, and wrote "[these actions] seem to confirm my assumption that Armenia is not yet mature enough to host the Forum" (the letter is already posted by nazarian). Per Lindblad, the letter upset Co-rapporteur Prescott, who took the side of the Armenian Government. Postanjyan also had something to say about the matter, pointing out that if Lindblad had really wanted to come, he had multiple prior opportunities, and that in fact, he was too busy with his own election campaign (which he lost) to come to Armenia. A loss which means that after November, Lindblad will no longer be a Co-rapporteur, and will have to be replaced. Per Lindblad, his impending replacement is being used by the Armenian government, that they are likely waiting for his replacement with "a less independent rapporteur" to allow the visit.
All of this is very important in its place. But what often gets forgotten in such situations is the fundamental reality that myself and many others have pointed out - Democracy and Human Rights are NOT a priority for PACE, or other Western Countries. Such principles are paraded and flaunted here and there, but are really just tools for bargaining. A few months back a close friend noted that the US at least seemed to have washed its hands of the Armenian situation, almost as if saying it wasn't worth the trouble, and leaving the issue to Russia to deal with. I wasn't sure then if I agreed, and I'm still not sure, but I cant say I completely disagree, either.
Its not just that gross violations of basic human rights and life occurred, it is that they CONTINUE to occur:
Police harassment and ludicrous trials continue, like the ones of Sargis Gevorgyan and Davit Kiramijyan...
Freedom of Press continues to exist only as a shadow, with laws being discussed now that will continue to restrict and silence voices with non-government opinions...
There continue to be over a dozen political prisoners in Armenia, at least one of whom (journalist Nikol Pashinyhan) has recently been threatened as he continues to write opposition articles even from his jail cell...
Liberty Square itself is now a political prisoner... the government continues to refuse any opposition meetings be held in Liberty Square, and continues to add small children's pasttimes to the square to provide an excuse for refusal...
But there is no sound of protest from PACE to any of this, or the myriad of other such violations of humanity.
If opposition voices were to be allowed to have a voice on television, and if Liberty Square was in fact open to the people, that is, if there were even a decent shred of Freedom of Speech, Press, and Assembly, those voices of opposition which have been silenced by fear, would again come to life...
Would the regime fire on the people again?
And if they did, would the world reactions be any different?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What a great invitation...
One of Pashinyan's most recent pieces is an open invitation to Armenia's Ombudsman to come visit him in the Nubarashen Penitentiary for a discussion. The piece, not surprisingly, is full of wit, satire, and irony. But mostly an incredible wit.
The only further comment I will make is for clarification purposes. "Dollar Armen" is the well known nickname of Armen Harutyunyan, who is the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia. Comments and references which bring this into question directly or indirectly in Pashinyan's article are stylistic or for effect, not true questioning. Interestingly enough, until a friend clarified for me, I thought he had earned the nickname due to what some have observed - the progressive increase in quality and presumed price of his suits since after March, 2008. So, in my eyes, at least as reliable as such observations and information are, he's earned the nickname twice, if not thrice. Since, as an Ombudsman, while he has made some moderately strong comments here or there, he's left more unsaid, than said.
And now, without further ado...
Let me see, Now
I wasn’t there, but the brother-in-law of my friend’s nephew, who is the mechanic of one of the carousels located at Monument, once heard a visitor at the carousel recounting to another: during an interview on Shant TV, Nver Mnatsakanyan asked RA Human Rights defender Armen Harutyunyan if there were political prisoners in Armenia. Human rights defender Armen Harutyunyan replied, in an arrogant tone, that of course there were not. This information is supported by another source— by the husband of the aunt of my other friend’s brother-in-law. That means that Armen Harutyunyan really made the statement. So now, when the ombudsman has assumed the responsibility of declaring that there are no political prisoners in Armenia, I find myself asking: Then who am I? Why am I in the “Nubarashen” penitentiary? And then sometimes, when I think about the ombudsman’s statement, I can’t help but wonder: Is it possible that I am a criminal or a swindler? Is it possible that I was once a lecturer and accepted bribes from my students to give them a good grade; and, because I didn’t trust the local currency I accepted bribes in Dollars only, which is why students dubbed me Dollar Armen? Try as I have, I can’t recall that kind of episode in my life, and as far as I remember, Dollar Armen refers to an entirely different person. I wonder where the person known as Dollar Armen is nowadays. Could he be in the cell next to mine? But as far as I was able to determine, there is no such person as Dollar Armen either in the cell next to mine, or in the one facing me or, for that matter, in any other cell, although many here would not mind it if Dollar Armen shows up in their cells, as a prisoner. They say they want to talk to him. But until such time as justice in Armenia reaches Dollar, let’s not digress from our theme. Our theme is human rights defender Armen Harutyunyan’s declaration that there are no political prisoners in Armenia. If Armen Harutyunyan is so convinced that there are no political prisoners in Armenia, then I invite him to meet with me at the “Nubarashen” penitentiary and explain my verdict to me; to enlighten me on the crime I have committed for which I am now in the Nubarashen penitentiary almost as a convict. I will pose only legal questions concerning my verdict, my legal case, the understanding of a political prisoner. But there is one condition: I have no time for pointless drivel and my talk with Armen Harutyunyan, the question and answer session between us would have to be recorded. The human rights defender should agree to the conditions and make sure that the recording will indeed take place. Then, our discussion should appear in the newspapers and the actual recording would be posted on the internet. If he agrees to these conditions then I would really invite him to such an important discussion. Oh, before I forget, I am busy today and tomorrow. So the earliest I can receive the human rights defender is Friday afternoon. In the meantime, I would like to ask those who have information about Dollar Armen to leave a message on my website www.armtimes.com or to send the information to the following address: Office of the Human Rights Defender, 56a Pushkin St., Yerevan. I think the RA human rights defender will offer a generous reward to all those who will help him reveal the identity of Dollar Armen.
NIKOL PASHINYAN
The only further comment I will make is for clarification purposes. "Dollar Armen" is the well known nickname of Armen Harutyunyan, who is the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia. Comments and references which bring this into question directly or indirectly in Pashinyan's article are stylistic or for effect, not true questioning. Interestingly enough, until a friend clarified for me, I thought he had earned the nickname due to what some have observed - the progressive increase in quality and presumed price of his suits since after March, 2008. So, in my eyes, at least as reliable as such observations and information are, he's earned the nickname twice, if not thrice. Since, as an Ombudsman, while he has made some moderately strong comments here or there, he's left more unsaid, than said.
And now, without further ado...
Let me see, Now
I wasn’t there, but the brother-in-law of my friend’s nephew, who is the mechanic of one of the carousels located at Monument, once heard a visitor at the carousel recounting to another: during an interview on Shant TV, Nver Mnatsakanyan asked RA Human Rights defender Armen Harutyunyan if there were political prisoners in Armenia. Human rights defender Armen Harutyunyan replied, in an arrogant tone, that of course there were not. This information is supported by another source— by the husband of the aunt of my other friend’s brother-in-law. That means that Armen Harutyunyan really made the statement. So now, when the ombudsman has assumed the responsibility of declaring that there are no political prisoners in Armenia, I find myself asking: Then who am I? Why am I in the “Nubarashen” penitentiary? And then sometimes, when I think about the ombudsman’s statement, I can’t help but wonder: Is it possible that I am a criminal or a swindler? Is it possible that I was once a lecturer and accepted bribes from my students to give them a good grade; and, because I didn’t trust the local currency I accepted bribes in Dollars only, which is why students dubbed me Dollar Armen? Try as I have, I can’t recall that kind of episode in my life, and as far as I remember, Dollar Armen refers to an entirely different person. I wonder where the person known as Dollar Armen is nowadays. Could he be in the cell next to mine? But as far as I was able to determine, there is no such person as Dollar Armen either in the cell next to mine, or in the one facing me or, for that matter, in any other cell, although many here would not mind it if Dollar Armen shows up in their cells, as a prisoner. They say they want to talk to him. But until such time as justice in Armenia reaches Dollar, let’s not digress from our theme. Our theme is human rights defender Armen Harutyunyan’s declaration that there are no political prisoners in Armenia. If Armen Harutyunyan is so convinced that there are no political prisoners in Armenia, then I invite him to meet with me at the “Nubarashen” penitentiary and explain my verdict to me; to enlighten me on the crime I have committed for which I am now in the Nubarashen penitentiary almost as a convict. I will pose only legal questions concerning my verdict, my legal case, the understanding of a political prisoner. But there is one condition: I have no time for pointless drivel and my talk with Armen Harutyunyan, the question and answer session between us would have to be recorded. The human rights defender should agree to the conditions and make sure that the recording will indeed take place. Then, our discussion should appear in the newspapers and the actual recording would be posted on the internet. If he agrees to these conditions then I would really invite him to such an important discussion. Oh, before I forget, I am busy today and tomorrow. So the earliest I can receive the human rights defender is Friday afternoon. In the meantime, I would like to ask those who have information about Dollar Armen to leave a message on my website www.armtimes.com or to send the information to the following address: Office of the Human Rights Defender, 56a Pushkin St., Yerevan. I think the RA human rights defender will offer a generous reward to all those who will help him reveal the identity of Dollar Armen.
NIKOL PASHINYAN
Friday, April 9, 2010
Prison Diary: Flowers from Shirin Ebadi Բանտային օրագիր. Ծաղիկներ Շիրին Էբադիից
The latest entry in Pashinyan's Prison Diary is below.
I will say only that I hope Shirin Ebadi gets to read this piece.
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Prison Diary: Flowers from Shirin Ebadi
Dedicated to the memory of Gayane Babayan
The television set in our cell at the Nubarashen penitentiary has recently gained a very serious competitor. During the day we look at the competitor more than we watch the television screen. It is a bouquet of red and yellow tulips that has added an unbelievable hue to our cell. When the bouquet appeared in our cell, my cellmates and I tried to remember when it was that we had last seen fresh flowers. We realized that it was a very long ago; and then we realized that we had needed these flowers in our cells to attain “total bliss”. And now we try to prolong that happiness as much as possible; we do not spare sugar and before our morning coffee we offer it to them first. I received that bouquet of flowers the day before from Nobel Prize recipient, human rights defender and Iranian citizen Shirin Ebadi in the meeting room of the Nubarashen penitentiary.
The human rights defender had brought flowers to all the political prisoners whom she visited that day. And you should have seen that scene. Accompanied by the prison guard, the prisoner (in this case, me), with a bouquet of flowers in his hands, walked down the prison corridors under the apprehensive gazes of the other prisoners. It was evident from their gaze that this was the first time they were witnessing such a scene. Confusion persisted in their gaze even after they recognized me; they understood that an important event had taken place.
That happening was indeed important. For the first time in history of the penitentiary, a Nobel Prize recipient had visited it. At first, when I saw the flowers in Shirin Ebadi’s hands, I felt proud of my country, my fatherland. I thought that the penitentiary had welcomed the Nobel Prize recipient, world-known human rights defender Shirin Ebadi, with a bouquet of flowers. But I was to be disappointed. On the day dedicated to Motherhood and Beauty, the female human rights defender herself had brought flowers to a prisoner whom she considers a political prisoner and a kindred spirit. At the beginning of our meeting Shirin Ebadi told me she was sorry she was meeting me in prison. I told her that it was worth being in prison if that meant getting such a bouquet of flowers.
I can’t predict how long the red and yellow tulips will survive under prison conditions. But I want to believe that this will be the last visit the Nobel prize recipient will pay to Armenian prisons. I believe that the name Armenia will become synonymous with Freedom, the Defense of Human Rights, Lawfulness and Democracy. I believe that my and my friends’ presence in prison today symbolizes our fidelity to a Free and Independent Armenia. I believe that our children will live in a Free and Blissful Armenia.
NIKOL PASHINYAN
Political Prisoner
From Nubarashen Penitentiary
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Բանտային օրագիր. Ծաղիկներ Շիրին Էբադիից
Նվիրում եմ Գայանե Բաբայանի հիշատակին
«Նուբարաշեն» քրեակատարողական հիմնարկի մեր խցի հեռուստացույցը վերջին օրերին լրջագույն մրցակից է ձեռք բերել: Օրվա ընթացքում մենք ավելի շատ նրան ենք նայում, քան հեռուստացույցի էկրանին: Կարմրադեղին վարդակակաչների փունջն է դա, որ անհավանական երանգ է տվել բանտային մեր խցին: Երբ այդ ծաղկեփունջը հայտնվեց խցում, խցակիցներով սկսեցինք քննարկել, թե վերջին անգամ երբ ենք կենդանի ծաղիկ տեսել. պարզվեց բավական վաղուց, պարզվեց նաեւ, որ հենց այդ ծաղիկներն էին մեր խցին պակասում` «կատարյալ երջանկության համար»: Ու հիմա ջանում ենք հնարավորինս երկարացնել այդ երջանկությունը. շաքարավազը չենք խնայում, ու առավոտյան սուրճից առաջ նախ նրանց ենք հյուրասիրում: Այդ ծաղկեփունջը նախօրեին Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկիր, իրավապաշտպան, Իրանի քաղաքացի Շիրին Էբադիից եմ ստացել` «Նուբարաշեն» քրեակատարողական հիմնարկի տեսակցությունների սենյակում: Իրավապաշտպանը ծաղիկներ էր տարել բոլոր այն քաղբանտարկյալներին, ում այցելել էր այդ օրը: Եւ պետք էր տեսնել այդ տեսարանը. կալանավորը (տվյալ դեպքում ես) վարդակակաչի փունջը ձեռքին վերակացուի ուղեկցությամբ քայլում է քրեակատարողական հիմնարկի միջանցքներով` բազմաթիվ այլ կալանավորների մտահոգված հայացքների ներքո: Նրանց հայացքներից ակնհայտ էր դառնում, որ առաջին անգամ են նման պատկերի ականատես լինում: Նույնիսկ երբ ճանաչում էին ինձ, տարակուսանքը նրանց հայացքում չէր վերանում, չնայած` հասկանում էին, որ, ուրեմն, ինչ-որ կարեւոր իրադարձություն է տեղի ունեցել: Իսկ իրադարձությունը իսկապես կարեւոր էր. պատմության մեջ առաջին անգամ Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկիր էր այցելել քրեակատարողական հիմնարկ: Սկզբում, երբ միջանցքում-հեռվից Շիրին Էբադիի ձեռքին ծաղիկներ տեսա` մեջս հպարտություն խաղաց երկրիս, հայրենիքիս համար: Ինձ թվաց, թե քրեակատարողական հիմնարկը ծաղիկներով է դիմավորել Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկիր, աշխարհահռչակ իրավապաշտպան Շիրին Էբադիին: Բայց ինձ հիասթափություն էր սպասում. Մայրության եւ գեղեցկության օրը կին իրավապաշտպանը ինքն էր ծաղիկներ բերել մի կալանավորի համար, որին քաղբանտարկյալ ու համախոհ է համարում: Մեր հանդիպման սկզբում Շիրին Էբադին ասաց, թե ցավում է, որ ինձ հետ բանտում է հանդիպում: Ես էլ ասացի, որ հանուն նման ծաղկեփունջ ստանալու արժեր բանտում հայտնվել: Չեմ կարող կանխատեսել, թե կարմրադեղին վարդակակաչները որքան կդիմանան բանտային ռեժիմին: Բայց ուզում եմ հավատալ, որ սա Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկրի վերջին այցն է հայաստանյան բանտեր: Հավատում եմ, որ Հայաստան անունը դառնալու է Ազատության, Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանվածության, Օրինականության, Ժողովրդավարության հոմանիշ: Հավատում եմ, որ իմ ընկերների եւ իմ բանտում գտնվելն այսօր` Ազատ եւ Երջանիկ Հայաստանին մեր հավատարմությունն է խորհրդանշում: Հավատում եմ, որ մեր երեխաները ապրելու են Ազատ եւ Երջանիկ Հայաստանում:
ՆԻԿՈԼ ՓԱՇԻՆՅԱՆ
քաղբանտարկյալ
«Նուբարաշեն» ՔԿՀ-ից
www.nikol.am
Նիկոլ Փաշինյան -
Ապրիլ 9, 2010
I will say only that I hope Shirin Ebadi gets to read this piece.
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Prison Diary: Flowers from Shirin Ebadi
Dedicated to the memory of Gayane Babayan
The television set in our cell at the Nubarashen penitentiary has recently gained a very serious competitor. During the day we look at the competitor more than we watch the television screen. It is a bouquet of red and yellow tulips that has added an unbelievable hue to our cell. When the bouquet appeared in our cell, my cellmates and I tried to remember when it was that we had last seen fresh flowers. We realized that it was a very long ago; and then we realized that we had needed these flowers in our cells to attain “total bliss”. And now we try to prolong that happiness as much as possible; we do not spare sugar and before our morning coffee we offer it to them first. I received that bouquet of flowers the day before from Nobel Prize recipient, human rights defender and Iranian citizen Shirin Ebadi in the meeting room of the Nubarashen penitentiary.
The human rights defender had brought flowers to all the political prisoners whom she visited that day. And you should have seen that scene. Accompanied by the prison guard, the prisoner (in this case, me), with a bouquet of flowers in his hands, walked down the prison corridors under the apprehensive gazes of the other prisoners. It was evident from their gaze that this was the first time they were witnessing such a scene. Confusion persisted in their gaze even after they recognized me; they understood that an important event had taken place.
That happening was indeed important. For the first time in history of the penitentiary, a Nobel Prize recipient had visited it. At first, when I saw the flowers in Shirin Ebadi’s hands, I felt proud of my country, my fatherland. I thought that the penitentiary had welcomed the Nobel Prize recipient, world-known human rights defender Shirin Ebadi, with a bouquet of flowers. But I was to be disappointed. On the day dedicated to Motherhood and Beauty, the female human rights defender herself had brought flowers to a prisoner whom she considers a political prisoner and a kindred spirit. At the beginning of our meeting Shirin Ebadi told me she was sorry she was meeting me in prison. I told her that it was worth being in prison if that meant getting such a bouquet of flowers.
I can’t predict how long the red and yellow tulips will survive under prison conditions. But I want to believe that this will be the last visit the Nobel prize recipient will pay to Armenian prisons. I believe that the name Armenia will become synonymous with Freedom, the Defense of Human Rights, Lawfulness and Democracy. I believe that my and my friends’ presence in prison today symbolizes our fidelity to a Free and Independent Armenia. I believe that our children will live in a Free and Blissful Armenia.
NIKOL PASHINYAN
Political Prisoner
From Nubarashen Penitentiary
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Բանտային օրագիր. Ծաղիկներ Շիրին Էբադիից
Նվիրում եմ Գայանե Բաբայանի հիշատակին
«Նուբարաշեն» քրեակատարողական հիմնարկի մեր խցի հեռուստացույցը վերջին օրերին լրջագույն մրցակից է ձեռք բերել: Օրվա ընթացքում մենք ավելի շատ նրան ենք նայում, քան հեռուստացույցի էկրանին: Կարմրադեղին վարդակակաչների փունջն է դա, որ անհավանական երանգ է տվել բանտային մեր խցին: Երբ այդ ծաղկեփունջը հայտնվեց խցում, խցակիցներով սկսեցինք քննարկել, թե վերջին անգամ երբ ենք կենդանի ծաղիկ տեսել. պարզվեց բավական վաղուց, պարզվեց նաեւ, որ հենց այդ ծաղիկներն էին մեր խցին պակասում` «կատարյալ երջանկության համար»: Ու հիմա ջանում ենք հնարավորինս երկարացնել այդ երջանկությունը. շաքարավազը չենք խնայում, ու առավոտյան սուրճից առաջ նախ նրանց ենք հյուրասիրում: Այդ ծաղկեփունջը նախօրեին Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկիր, իրավապաշտպան, Իրանի քաղաքացի Շիրին Էբադիից եմ ստացել` «Նուբարաշեն» քրեակատարողական հիմնարկի տեսակցությունների սենյակում: Իրավապաշտպանը ծաղիկներ էր տարել բոլոր այն քաղբանտարկյալներին, ում այցելել էր այդ օրը: Եւ պետք էր տեսնել այդ տեսարանը. կալանավորը (տվյալ դեպքում ես) վարդակակաչի փունջը ձեռքին վերակացուի ուղեկցությամբ քայլում է քրեակատարողական հիմնարկի միջանցքներով` բազմաթիվ այլ կալանավորների մտահոգված հայացքների ներքո: Նրանց հայացքներից ակնհայտ էր դառնում, որ առաջին անգամ են նման պատկերի ականատես լինում: Նույնիսկ երբ ճանաչում էին ինձ, տարակուսանքը նրանց հայացքում չէր վերանում, չնայած` հասկանում էին, որ, ուրեմն, ինչ-որ կարեւոր իրադարձություն է տեղի ունեցել: Իսկ իրադարձությունը իսկապես կարեւոր էր. պատմության մեջ առաջին անգամ Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկիր էր այցելել քրեակատարողական հիմնարկ: Սկզբում, երբ միջանցքում-հեռվից Շիրին Էբադիի ձեռքին ծաղիկներ տեսա` մեջս հպարտություն խաղաց երկրիս, հայրենիքիս համար: Ինձ թվաց, թե քրեակատարողական հիմնարկը ծաղիկներով է դիմավորել Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկիր, աշխարհահռչակ իրավապաշտպան Շիրին Էբադիին: Բայց ինձ հիասթափություն էր սպասում. Մայրության եւ գեղեցկության օրը կին իրավապաշտպանը ինքն էր ծաղիկներ բերել մի կալանավորի համար, որին քաղբանտարկյալ ու համախոհ է համարում: Մեր հանդիպման սկզբում Շիրին Էբադին ասաց, թե ցավում է, որ ինձ հետ բանտում է հանդիպում: Ես էլ ասացի, որ հանուն նման ծաղկեփունջ ստանալու արժեր բանտում հայտնվել: Չեմ կարող կանխատեսել, թե կարմրադեղին վարդակակաչները որքան կդիմանան բանտային ռեժիմին: Բայց ուզում եմ հավատալ, որ սա Նոբելյան մրցանակի դափնեկրի վերջին այցն է հայաստանյան բանտեր: Հավատում եմ, որ Հայաստան անունը դառնալու է Ազատության, Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանվածության, Օրինականության, Ժողովրդավարության հոմանիշ: Հավատում եմ, որ իմ ընկերների եւ իմ բանտում գտնվելն այսօր` Ազատ եւ Երջանիկ Հայաստանին մեր հավատարմությունն է խորհրդանշում: Հավատում եմ, որ մեր երեխաները ապրելու են Ազատ եւ Երջանիկ Հայաստանում:
ՆԻԿՈԼ ՓԱՇԻՆՅԱՆ
քաղբանտարկյալ
«Նուբարաշեն» ՔԿՀ-ից
www.nikol.am
Նիկոլ Փաշինյան -
Ապրիլ 9, 2010
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