Europeans for Artsakh Initiative Condemns Armenia’s Ruling Party Attacks Against Diaspora
Linking the strengthening of the Diaspora with the weakening of Armenia is not only a dangerous misconception, but also a deeply divisive approach that attempts to contrast the two inseparable components of the Armenian people.
It is equally unacceptable to present the work of the structures protecting pan-Armenian interests as a phenomenon that contradicts the state interests of Armenia. For decades, their work, from the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide to the protection of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh, has been carried out in favor of the dignity, rights and national interests of the Armenian people.
The attitude adopted by today’s authorities toward the Armenian Genocide issue is also particularly worrisome and condemable, as it demonstrates dangerous evasiveness and belittles the importance of the Armenian people’s historical memory and demand for justice.
The struggle for international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is not a negotiable political issue, but an integral part of the historical memory, dignity and rights of the Armenian people.
Today, when the Armenians of Artsakh have been subjected to forced displacement and the Armenian heritage of Artsakh is under serious threat, we expected from the state representatives of Armenia not attacks directed against the Diaspora, but national solidarity and joint efforts towards a just solution to the Artsakh issue.
We reject the mindset that the interests of Armenia and the Diaspora should be opposed to each other. A strong Armenia and a strong Diaspora are not contradictions, but two complementary pillars of the same national strength.
Armenian citizens living in European countries and our European partners who are friends of Armenia must continue (or will continue) to defend the rights of the Armenian people, the right of return of the Armenians of Artsakh, the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage, and the just demands of structures that protect pan-Armenian interests.
No official statement can force us to renounce our historical memory, the protection of national rights, or our responsibility towards Artsakh.
The strength of Armenia and the Diaspora is the strength of one whole.
“Europeans for Artsakh”
Garen Arevian – England
Mourad Papazian – France
Garen Tatevosian – Belgium
Noubar Vartanian – Holland
Jonathan Spangenberg – Germany
Simon Ter-Sahakian – Sweden
Nazar Avakian – Greece
Vahan Aynedjian – Cyprus
Sahak Chalykian – Bulgaria
Alexander Sarkissian – Czech Republic
Baykar Svazlian – Italy
Zareh Nazarian – Romania
Ararat Ghukasian – Spain
