Joint statement by the parties consolidatted around the national agenda

Arsen Gevorgyan, the Strong Armenia Party’s candidate for head of the enlarged Stepanavan community in the local self-government elections, has died in detention.

Arsen Gevorgyan is yet another victim of the political persecution unleashed under Nikol Pashinyan’s government, the manifestly unlawful use of pretrial detention, and a targeted campaign of discreditation.

This tragedy exposes an appalling reality: human life and dignity have long ceased to be absolute values in Armenia, while the use of pretrial detention against opposition figures as a means of pressure has become an instrument of political retribution.

The ruling political force and the representatives of the justice system who rubber-stamp its unlawful orders bear full responsibility for Arsen Gevorgyan’s death.

·         We condemn in the strongest possible terms the climate of political retribution that has led to such tragic consequences.

·         We call upon all political actors and civil society forces to unequivocally condemn this incident.

·         We call upon all international organizations and diplomatic missions to issue a clear and unequivocal assessment of the widespread violations of human rights in Armenia and the practice of political persecution that costs human lives.

This tragedy has reaffirmed the urgent imperative to restore democratic freedoms and rights in Armenia.

The memory of Arsen Gevorgyan obliges us to persevere in our struggle until human rights, human dignity, and the rule of law are fully upheld in Armenia.