February 27, 2022, Yerevan
The large-scale bloody aggression unleashed by Russia against independent and sovereign Ukraine is a crime as is any other attempt to resolve a conflict by military warfare.
By ignoring all mediation attempts by the international community to resolve issues through diplomacy, by rejecting all offers to avoid the unjustified military attack, and by employing militaristic rhetoric of threats and intimidation, V. Putin instigated a situation that bears consequences unprecedented since WWII in their severity.
Russia’s actions are rooted in norms and values that are incompatible with those of a rule-of-law state. Moreover, through this war, V. Putin challenges the entire civilized order.
For us, the citizens of Armenia, the consequences of attempts to resolve conflicts by military force are more than obvious; we lived through them during the 44-Day war unleashed on us by Aliev’s regime.
Considering the real potential risks of Armenia’s being dragged into the conflict, we urge the Armenian government not only to condemn Russia’s aggression but also to take active measures to exclude any participation or engagement of any Armenian citizen in this inhumane enterprise.
Armenian authorities must be consistent in their adherence to resolving conflicts by peaceful means and not with force and the threat of war. In the meantime, we demand that the government make necessary arrangements to send humanitarian assistance to those suffering from the conflict.
1. Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor
2. “Asparez” Journalists’ Club
3. Women’s Rights House
4. Centre for community mobilization and support NGO
5. Peace Dialogue NGO
6. Helsinki Association for Human Rights NGO
7. “Free Citizen” Civic Initiatives Support Center NGO
8. Armenian Progressive Youth NGO
9. Restart Gyumri – Initiative Centre NGO
10. Women’s resource center NGO
11. Protection of Rights without Borders
12. Pink human rights defender NGO
13. Non-Discrimination and Equality Coalition
14. Armenian Association of Film Critics and Cinema Journalists
15. Public Journalism Club
16. For Equal Rights educational center NGO
17. Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation
18. Gayane Shagoyan
19. Gagik Babakhanyan, psychiatrist
20. TIR MEDIA
21․ Diaserv Ltd
22․ Vardan Hambardzumyan, Citizen of Armenia
23․ Cultural and Social Narratives Laboratory NGO
24․ Armen Aghajanov, Citizen of Armenia
25․ Cinemart youth NGO
26․ Progress of Gyumri CSDC
27․ V. Babayan, Netherlands
28․ Hayk Tarposhyan, Citizen of Armenia
29․ Arman Harutyunyan, Citizen of Armenia
30․ Anton Ivchenko, HCAV
31. New Generation Humanitarian NGO
32. Spitak Helsinki Group Human Rights NGO