Thursday, June 25 2020 13:55

ArmInfo. I would like to touch upon a number of very topical issues that are on the agenda in Armenia, including the issue of democracy and freedom of speech.  Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated this from the rostrum of  the parliament.

<Just a month ago, one of the most respected international  organizations in its annual report noted that for the first time in  the history of its reports, Armenia for two years has made  significant progress in the field of democracy. And today in Armenia  they are talking about restricting freedom of speech. However, have  there ever been a situation in the history of the third republic that  at least 3-4 television channels broadcast speeches of the country's  political corpses?> Pashinyan wondered.

The head of the cabinet noted that we should realize the level of  freedom of speech in Armenia now, and how this freedom of speech is  used. <I have already noted that when some restrictions were  introduced in Armenia in connection with the coronavirus pandemic,  there was a lot of criticism from both the parliamentary opposition  and the Human Rights Defender. And we, listening to these opinions,  after a while, removed these restrictions. And you see what is  happening now. But it was probably the wrong step.  A number of media  and some people in social networks, with the financial support of  political corpses, are pushing people to death. They probably believe  that the more people become infected, the more people die, the more  their rating will increase,> the prime minister emphasized.

Pashinyan stated that the activities of the media, parties and public  organizations of Armenia should be absolutely transparent. <So that  the so-called former presidents could not finance these bodies with  stolen money, so that they would not distribute various fakes on the  army's social networks. We must protect democracy from some people,  since democracy should not be confused with permissiveness,> he said.

The Prime Minister noted that political persecution is being actively  spoken about. <However, have you ever seen a court to refuse to  arrest a victim of political persecution? If the judge had allowed  himself such things before, they would have turned his neck. We  refuse to influence the judicial system, but this does not mean that  the former authorities should influence it. We did not resolve the  issue with the courts for the reason that we did not want to change  the previous puppet court to a new puppet court. We need an  independent court>, said Pashinyan.

The head of the cabinet stated that the Prosperous Armenia party  launched a process of self-destruction.  <For some, the news is that  the PAP was handing out election bribes? Not! And when it is  arrogantly refuted from the rostrum of the parliament, it is obvious  that this political force is going through self- destruction. The  main reform is taking place, the reform of the political field in the  country. In a parliament of a new convocation there will be only free  and independent political forces, those who will defend the values of  the velvet revolution. Among these political forces there are those  who condemn us, but we are glad about it. In the future, both the  authorities and the opposition will be only those who once returned  power to the citizens of Armenia>, the Prime Minister emphasized.

Pashinyan noted that the coronavirus was a joy for the political  forces that went into circulation. <Many of the politicians who went  into circulation decided that this was a good opportunity to  resurrect. They talk about social rebellion, but if social rebellion  really happens, they will suffer the most. People say that they put  pressure on the opposition and prevent them from holding rallies.  They spend millions of dollars and gather about 200 people. And they  don't take into account that we also can't bring meetings. But if we  conduct it, the results will not be the same as yours. Do not scare  us with rallies>, the prime minister emphasized.

Pashinyan said that the case (against Tsarukyan - Ed. note) was  opened in February and started belatedly.  <Yes, this is the fact. I  am also unhappy with this state of affairs. Let no one think that he  can do whatever he wants and not be responsible for his actions>, -  Pashinyan concluded.