Hayk Mamijanyan, head of the “I Have the Honor” faction in the National Assembly, delivered a speech at the PACE plenary session.
“It’s unusual to ‘hear’ silence when you’re waiting for someone to speak up, isn’t it? Now we Armenians are experiencing the same feeling, awaiting the international community’s reaction to the events unfolding in our country. Nikol Pashinyan is attacking the Armenian Apostolic Church, attacking with words and force – silence. Four bishops have been in custody for over six months – silence. A well-known philanthropist expresses support for the Armenian Apostolic Church and is arrested for it – silence.
We initiate impeachment proceedings, and the opposition candidate for prime minister is arrested – silence. Government officials are persecuting individual journalists and entire news agencies – silence. Bloggers are being arrested, one of them is on a hunger strike, and his health is deteriorating to such an extent that yesterday he was brought to court in a wheelchair – silence.
MPs, former presidents, and opposition leaders are being arrested or banned from leaving the country – silence. I could go on and on about this terrible fact; politically, my country…” “The seizure of territory by Nikol Pashinyan, and physically by Ilham Aliyev. More than 50 of my compatriots in Armenia are in prison for their political views, and, according to official data, 19 of my compatriots are in prison in Baku simply because they are Armenian.
I have made a decision for myself – I will not remain silent. Now, ladies and gentlemen, it is your turn to make a choice,” Mamijanyan noted.