Recently, our public discourse has been almost completely filled
with topics of power dispute, which have overshadowed the real human rights
issues in the country, ignoring the real priorities of the people.
The political system of the state is not meant to be usurped for
a power dispute.
The political system with government and opposition parties and
forces must serve the people, to bring about solutions to their problems. Its
real priorities are meant to be service for the protection of the rights and
predictable for people. It is necessary to identify these priorities correctly,
to direct public discourse in that direction, regardless of political
developments or perspectives.
Both government and opposition, as state institutions, must base
their initiatives and actions on urgent human rights issues, that are of public
concern, each within its own capacity. By such a focus, the public debate will
too, in turn, move in that direction.
By such a manifest objective, the government demonstrates to the
public at large the steps it undertakes to tackle real issues, and the
opposition ensures proper oversight over the government based on the same
principles.
Finally, the society sees that both the government and the
opposition are busy with their daily efforts, addressing real problems, and not
preoccupied with the narrow topics of the power dispute, that the issues
germane to the preservation of the public’s rights are at the center of
everyone's real attention, and are not being neglected, but rather are on the
forefront of public debate.
Therefore, I urge everyone to sober up.
Our country is facing serious challenges. vital rights of the
border residents are violated or seriously endangered; there is no manifest
predictability of solutions to the issues concerning them; the Azerbaijani
authorities threaten Armenia with a new war and speak about the population of
our country in the language of threats; procedures for tackling the war crimes
and crimes against humanity should be initiated; socio-economic rights of
people should be guaranteed, etc.
These and other critical priorities must be at the heart of each
party's initiative or program, regardless of political affiliation or status.
Finally, by adhering to these priorities, we will confirm and
ensure that in our country everything is done for the benefit of a person and
the rule of law and, that primary objectives take precedent over secondary
ones.
Arman Tatoyan
The Human Rights Defender of Armenia
Հայերեն
