Jump to content

2024 Armenian protests

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2024 Armenian protests
Part of the Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis
Protests in Yerevan on 12 May
Date23 April 2024 – ongoing
Location
GoalsResignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
Intervention in the village handover
MethodsDemonstrations, civil unrest, street blockades, civil disobedience
StatusOngoing
Parties
Lead figures
Casualties
Detained
  • Tigran Urikhanyan[12]
  • ~ 48 protesters (May 10)[24]
  • 171 protesters (May 13)[31]
  • 63 protesters (May 14)[32]
  • 98 protesters (June 12)[33]

The 2024 Armenian protests, most commonly known in Armenia as Tavush for the Homeland (Armenian: Տավուշը հանուն Հայրենիքի, romanizedTavushy hanun Hayrenik’i), are a series of street demonstrations taking place throughout Armenia due to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan leading an effort to demarcate the Armenia–Azerbaijan border, reaching an agreement with the Government of Azerbaijan which handed over four abandoned villages along the border to Azerbaijan: Bağanis Ayrum, Aşağı Əskipara, Xeyrimli, and Qızılhacılı.[34]

Events[edit]

Spontaneous protests[edit]

In Yerevan, spontaneous protests led by the opposition occurred on 24 and 25 April. Opposition leaders claimed that police employed aggressive methods against protesters in the city on 24 April. In other parts of the country, demonstrations resulted in temporary closures of national and regional highways, such as the Yerevan-Meghri highway, the Yerevan-Gyumri highway, the Baghanis-Voskepar highway, and the interstate highway connecting Armenia to Georgia.[35]

On 26 April 2024, protestors continued to block streets in Yerevan and main highways outside the city to oppose the territorial concessions depicted by Nikol Pashinyan's administration as the beginning of Armenia's border delineation with Azerbaijan. Some employed large vehicles for this objective. Law enforcement authorities intervened to reopen traffic on almost all of those routes.[36]

The parliamentary opposition group Armenia Alliance called for a motion of no confidence on Pashinyan. However, the opposition lacks enough representation to put forward a motion as Civil Contract maintains a supermajority within parliament.[8]

On 7 May 2024, Pashinyan criticized the involvement of religious figures in politics and stated "The government should not interfere in the affairs of the church. The Armenian Apostolic Church has its own rules of activity, its own regulations. But in general it is obvious that today the Catholicos of All Armenians is leading a political movement in Armenia.[37]

Galstanyan-led protests[edit]

On 9 May, protests spread as Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan called on Prime Minister Pashinyan to resign within the hour, receiving no response from the government.[25]

On 10 May, Galstanyan called for university students to boycott class and join his protests, with some doing so, and saying that if it was "God's will" for him to become prime minister "who am I to say no?"[38] Galstanyan later confirmed, however, that he holds not only Armenian but also Canadian citizenship. The constitution of Armenia bars dual citizens from serving as prime minister.[8] Galstanyan also told protesters they should "engage in peaceful acts of disobedience," if Pashinyan did not listen to their demands.[39]

On 10 May, at least 48 protesters where arrested by the police for violating Article 182 of the Armenian Code of Administrative Offenses.[a][24] All 48 were allowed to be released on bail, should they afford it.[24] Also on 10 May, Galstanyan met with Serzh Sargsyan's I Have Honor Alliance and Robert Kocharyan's Armenia Alliance representatives for consultations.[41]

On 11 May, Tigran Urikhanyan [hy], a former MP and current leader of the Alliance Party, was arrested in Russia at the request of the Armenian government for "calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional structure in the country."[12] Additionally, protesters in Gyumri formed a motor-convoy dubbed "Tavush for the Motherland", driving to Yerevan to support the protesters there, and to help block roadways.[42]

On 13 May, at least 171 protesters were arrested by police in Yerevan. Galstanyan urged supporters to "paralyze" the capital. Protestors blocked roads and briefly disrupted traffic before being removed by police. 156 of the protestors were released from police custody by late afternoon.[31] That same day, Galstanyan stated that there would be no more rallies held at Republic Square but encouraged protestors to carry out acts of civil disobedience elsewhere in the city.[43]

According to the Union of Informed Citizens, the largest crowd of protestors contained around 20,000 people on 9 May. A second rally the next day attracted only 11,700 people. The crowd was even smaller two days later. It was speculated that Kocharyan helped fund and paid protestors to attend the rallies in Yerevan.[44] On 14 May, the Jamestown Foundation noted that the protests failed to gain momentum.[41]

On 16 May, a small crowd of protestors gathered outside the Yerevan Opera Theatre which was hosting an event between Pashinyan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.[45]

On 21 May, Galstanyan met with exiled representatives of the National Assembly of Artsakh in Yerevan.[46]

On 8 June, Galstanyan called for Armenia to develop stronger ties with Russia.[47]

On 12 June, Nikol Pashinyan told parliament that his government will withdraw Armenia from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) with Pashinyan stating, "We will leave. We will decide when to exit...Don't worry, we won't return".[48] Pashinyan also said that a peace treaty with Azerbaijan was close to completion, but that his country would not accept Azerbaijan's demands that Armenia change its constitution. After Pashinyan made the comments, clashes broke out between police and demonstrators in Yerevan, with protestors throwing bottles and stones at police.[49] Protesters surrounded parliament and attempted to storm the building, however, police were able to disperse the crowd.[50] Police officials said 17 officers were injured.[33]

Opposition to the protests[edit]

Artur Hovannisian, a Civil Contract lawmaker claimed that "the ongoing antigovernment protests are coordinated by the Armenian Apostolic Church and former Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan." He said they are trying to "stage a coup by undemocratic means." Meanwhile, during a session of the National Assembly on 30 April, Civil Contract deputies branded Galstanyan a Russian spy.[8]

On 7 May 2024, Ani Khachatryan, a member of the Hanrapetutyun Party emphasized the connection between the participants of the march, the leading clergyman, and Russia. Khachatryan stated, "The participants of the movement, the clergy, do not even hide their connection with Russia" and "history shows that the clergy were the biggest Russian agents." Khachatryan also stated, "Archbishop Bagrat is the clergyman of Robert Kocharyan's personal use."[51]

On 10 May 2024, Civil Contract secretary Artur Hovhannisyan stated, "A process is being generated to carry out a coup in Armenia in an undemocratic way. The church is fully engaged in this." Hovhannisyan claimed that Robert Kocharyan is behind all this, and he is trying to serve, according to him, "the interests of the empire", in this case Russia.[52]

On 12 May 2024, Tigran Khzmalyan, Chairman of the European Party of Armenia launched a petition condemning any unconstitutional attempts and dissent aimed at undermining the internal stability of Armenia. The petition further calls for restraint, maintaining the rule of law, as well as maintaining universal and constitutional democratic norms, including the separation between church and state. The petition also calls for the government of Armenia to withdraw from all Russian-led structures including the CSTO and Eurasian Union, while supporting Armenia's bid to join the European Union and NATO. The petition was backed by Aram Sargsyan's Hanrapetutyun Party, the For The Republic Party, as well as several NGOs from within and outside of Armenia.[53]

On 13 May 2024, Armenian foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated, "By undermining the Alma-Ata declaration and the peace process based on it, these people [the protestors] continue, I can't say for sure whether consciously or unwittingly, they continue to undermine the sovereignty, statehood, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. In the best interpretation, without realizing it, in the worst interpretation, at the direct dictation of another country [alluding to Russia]."[54]

Reactions[edit]

  •  Belarus: On 13 June, the Armenian government recalled its ambassador to Minsk. In response to Belarus selling weapons to Azerbaijan, Nikol Pashinyan stated, "I will never visit Belarus as long as Alexander Lukashenko is its president. In general, no official representative of Armenia will visit Belarus at this point." Belarus retaliated by recalling its ambassador in Yerevan. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry stated Pashinyan's actions were an attempt to deflect public attention in Armenia away from domestic discontent.[55]
  •  Council of Europe: The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers expressed full support to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and welcomed the process of border delimitation between the two countries.[56]
  •  European Union: The European Union welcomed the Armenian-Azerbaijan border delimitation deal.[57] Meanwhile, the European Commission reiterated that Armenia has the right to seek membership in the European Union. Peter Stano, the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission spokesperson stated, "the EU's doors are open to Armenia." Earlier, on 13 March 2024, the European Parliament confirmed that Armenia has the potential to be granted EU candidate status. Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Paruyr Hovhannisyan stated, "If the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU is fully implemented, we will indeed have the status of a candidate country for EU membership."[58]
  •  Kazakhstan: President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced Kazakhstan's readiness to assist by providing a platform for negotiations between Baku and Yerevan.[59] From 9 to 11 May, Kazakhstan hosted Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, for a series of negotiations toward a comprehensive peace deal,[60] during which Mirzoyan announced that Armenia would be open to a transportation route for Azerbaijan to reach the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and by extension, Turkey.[60] However, the negotiations ended with no conclusion as both sides insisted that there were "differences" on key provisions.[60]
  •  Russia: On 9 May, Russia removed its border guards on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, namely from Tavush, Syunik, Vyats Dzor, Gegharkunik and Ararat following a request made by Pashinyan during a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 8 May.[61] These Russian forces were then redeployed to Yerevan.[61]
  •  United States: On 21 May, Central Intelligence Agency Deputy Director David Cohen held meetings with Armenian government officials in Yerevan and called for the strengthening of Armenia–United States relations. The following day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged $65 million in additional development assistance to Armenia from Washington and confirmed that the US is considering providing additional assistance to Armenia. On 23 May, the United States senior advisor for the Caucasus Louis Bono visited Yerevan. Bono expressed support to Armenia and called for Armenia and Azerbaijan to normalize relations and to unblock regional transit connections.[62] On 10 June, US and Armenian diplomats met in Yerevan and pledged to increase bilateral ties. "The sides positively assessed cooperation to support Armenia's ongoing reforms and democratic progress and noted Armenia's aspirations for closer cooperation with Euro-Atlantic institutions and the West," a joint statement said. The two sides announced that they would deepen ties in the coming year, which will be formalized by signing a deal to upgrade the status of bilateral dialogue to a "Strategic Partnership Commission". This comes as trade turnover between Washington and Yerevan quadrupled since 2020. Military officials also vowed to establish formal bilateral defense consultations to "regularize planning of defense cooperation objectives."[63]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Article 182: "failure to meet legitimate demands of police officers performing their duty of maintaining public order and ensuring public safety."[40]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Demonstrations in support of". news.am. 15 May 2024.
  2. ^ "«Ո՛չ Տավուշի հանձնմանը». ՀՅԴ-ն բողոքի ակցիա է անցկացրել Լիբանանում Հայաստանի դեսպանատան դիմաց". 5 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Boston community holds vigil in support of "Tavush for the Homeland" movement". The Armenian Weekly. 14 May 2024.
  4. ^ Team, The Armenian Report (8 May 2024). "Armenian Diaspora in Glendale Marches in Solidarity with Tavush for the Homeland Movement". The Armenian Report.
  5. ^ "Protest at Armenian Mission in NY to support "Tavush for the Homeland" movement". 8 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Canadian Armenians express their support for Tavush for Homeland movement". 13 May 2024.
  7. ^ Chapter, AYF DC "Ani" (15 May 2024). "AYF leads Greater Washington, D.C. vigil in solidarity with "Tavush for Homeland" movement". The Armenian Weekly.
  8. ^ a b c d e Khulian, Artak; Galstian, Shoghik; Stepanian, Ruzanna (10 May 2024). "Antigovernment Protests Continue In Yerevan (UPDATED)". www.azatutyun.am.
  9. ^ a b "ԱԺ-ն կքննարկի սահմանազատման հարցով հրատապ նիստ անցկացնելու ընդդիմության առաջարկը". PanARMENIAN.Net.
  10. ^ "ՖՈՏՈ. «Ազգային ժողովրդավարական բևեռ»-ը ակցիա է իրականացնում Ազատության հրապարակում՝ ընդդեմ ապօրինի սահմանազատման | Armlur – Լուրեր Հայաստանից".
  11. ^ a b "Տավուշի մարզի ժողովրդի անկեղծ բողոքն ու մտահոգությունը օտար միջամտությանը վերագրելն ուղղակի խայտառակություն է և դատապարտելի. Մարուքյան". www.aravot.am.
  12. ^ a b c d "Former Armenian MP detained in Russia". azernews. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  13. ^ "«Անենք անհրաժեշտը՝ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հեռացումը, բավարարը, հետո կհասկանանք, թե ինչպե՞ս ենք անում անհնարինը». Սուրեն Պետրոսյան". www.aravot.am.
  14. ^ a b "Մեր երկրի հոգին և մարմինը պահանջում են՝ այս գրասենյակը զբաղեցնողը պետք է փոխվի, իրենց երդումը խախտել են. Րաֆֆի Հովհաննիսյան (տեսանյութ)". www.tert.am.
  15. ^ a b "Ոչ ոք իրավունք չունի կպնել եկեղեցուն. Գագիկ Ծառուկյան (տեսանյութ)". www.tert.am.
  16. ^ "Բագրատ Սրբազանը Սուրբ Աննա եկեղեցում է. ուղիղ". 16 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  17. ^ "Քաղաքական ուժերը Բագրատ սրբազանի հետ հանդիպումից հետո խոսում են նրա՝ վարչապետի թեկնածության մասին" – via www.azatutyun.am.
  18. ^ a b Technologies, Peyotto. "Պարույր Հայրիկյանը եկավ ողջունելու Բագրատ սրբազանին (տեսանյութ)".
  19. ^ "Arminfo: ANCA supports Tavush for the Motherland movement". arminfo.info.
  20. ^ "The ARS supports "Tavush for the Homeland"". The Armenian Weekly. 13 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Statement regarding the situation in Tavush region of Armenia". horizonweekly.ca. 22 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Tavush for the Homeland - CSI supports Armenian protestors".
  23. ^ a b c d "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  24. ^ a b c d "48 protesters were taken to the police station". News.am. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Armenian Archbishop Leads Massive Protest Over Land Deal With Baku". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Հրամայական է, որ միասնական, աննկուն ու հաստատակամ լինենք՝ ընդդեմ մեր ազգային կյանքը փոթորկող մարտահրավերների. Գարեգին Բ".
  27. ^ "Բանակը կարող է Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի անօրինական հրամաններից հետ կանգնել. Սեյրան Օհանյան". www.aravot.am.
  28. ^ "Ես կուզեմ, որ Բագրատ Սրբազանի սկսած շարժումը հաջողի, որովհետեւ Նիկոլը դավաճան է. Շանթ Հարությունյան". news.am. 16 May 2024.
  29. ^ "Պետք է ամեն ինչ անենք, որ Բագրատ սրբազանը հաջողի. Ժիրայր Սեֆիլյան (տեսանյութ) - Հրապարակ".
  30. ^ "Փնտրում եմ մարդկանց, որոնք կասեն՝ դրանք Տավուշի գյուղերն են, ես ման եմ գալիս այդ մարդկանց․ Ալեն Սիմոնյան". Armtimes.com.
  31. ^ a b Khulian, Artak; Galstian, Shoghik; Khachatrian, Marine (13 May 2024). "Scores Arrested As Antigovernment Protest Continue In Armenia". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան – via www.azatutyun.am.
  32. ^ Minoyan, Hoory (15 May 2024). ""Tavush for the Homeland" protests continue against planned land concessions". The Armenian Weekly.
  33. ^ a b "Protests erupt as Armenia nears peace deal with Azerbaijan | Reuters".
  34. ^ Hayden, Jones (20 April 2024). "Armenia agrees to return 4 villages to Azerbaijan". Politico Europe. Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  35. ^ "Armenia: Further protests denouncing a border demarcation agreement with Azerbaijan are likely nationwide through late April". 25 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  36. ^ Saribekian, Gayane (26 April 2024). "More Antigovernment Protesters Detained In Armenia". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  37. ^ Team, The Armenian Report (7 May 2024). "Pashinyan: Leader of "Tavush for the Homeland" Is Catholicos of All Armenians and Beneficiary Is Robert Kocharyan". The Armenian Report.
  38. ^ "Armenian Students Join Firebrand Archbishop In Anti-Government Protests". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  39. ^ "Thousands of Armenians demand prime minister resign over border villages dispute with Azerbaijan". ABC.
  40. ^ "THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF POLICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA". Police of Armenia. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Clergy-Led Demonstrations Raise Concerns over Separation of Church and State in Armenia". Jamestown.
  42. ^ "In support of "Tavush for the Motherland" a motor rally started from Armenia's second city towards Yerevan". News.am. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  43. ^ "Protesters stage acts of disobedience across Yerevan".
  44. ^ "Քոչարյանն էլ է վճարել, Լևոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանն էլ է վճարել, Սերժ Սարգսյանն էլ է վճարել, Նիկոլ Փաշինյանն էլ է վճարել․ Սրբազանը կատակեց Շարժման ֆինանսավորման մասին". www.tert.am.
  45. ^ "Protesters picket Yerevan EBRD event demanding Armenian PM's resignation". www.intellinews.com. 16 May 2024.
  46. ^ Mirror-Spectator, The Armenian (23 May 2024). "Galstanyan Meets with Karabakh Government Members, MPs in Yerevan".
  47. ^ "Galstanyan, the Armenian bishop who aspires to government". www.asianews.it.
  48. ^ "Armenia to leave Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation". euronews. 12 June 2024.
  49. ^ "Armenian leader announces plan to leave Russia-dominated security alliance as ties with Moscow sour". AP News. 12 June 2024.
  50. ^ "Police Use Stun Grenades to Disperse Rioting Protesters Attempting to Storm Armenian Parliament Building • MassisPost". 13 June 2024.
  51. ^ "Չի բացառվում, որ մայիսի 9-ին Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանը՝ կաթողիկոսի ուղեկցությամբ, գա հրապարակ. Անի Խաչատրյան". Armtimes.com.
  52. ^ Ստեփանյան, Ռուզաննա (10 May 2024). "«Փորձ է արվում ապօրինի ճանապարհով հեղաշրջում իրականացնել». ՔՊ պատգամավոր". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան – via www.azatutyun.am.
  53. ^ "Չորս քաղաքական ուժերը ձեւավորել են Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի միասնական հարթակ". Hetq.am. 14 May 2024.
  54. ^ Ստեփանյան, Ռուզաննա (13 May 2024). "ԱԳ նախարարը «դասալիքներ» որակեց Ալմա-Աթայի հռչակագրով սահմանազատումը հակաօրինական համարող դիվանագետների խորհրդի անդամներին". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան – via www.azatutyun.am.
  55. ^ [1]
  56. ^ "CoE Committee of Ministers expresses support to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process".
  57. ^ "Police Crackdown on Tavush Protesters Continues – Asbarez.com".
  58. ^ "European Commission Official Affirms Armenia’s Right to Seek EU Membership". Caucasus Watch. 16 March 2024.
  59. ^ "Arminfo: When organizing Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs` meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan`s authorities will not act as negotiator". arminfo.info.
  60. ^ a b c "'Differences' Remain As Azerbaijan, Armenia Conclude Peace Talks In Kazakhstan". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  61. ^ a b Gavin, Gabriel (9 May 2024). "Russia to withdraw troops from Armenia's border". politico. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  62. ^ "U.S. Caucasus Envoy Meets with Armenia Officials – Asbarez.com".
  63. ^ "US, Armenia pledge to increase ties as Russia's influence dealt a blow".