2024 Armenian protests | |
---|---|
Part of the Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis | |
![]() Protests in Yerevan on 12 May | |
Date | 23 April 2024 – ongoing |
Location | |
Goals | Resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Intervention in the village handover |
Methods | Demonstrations, civil unrest, street blockades, civil disobedience |
Status | Ongoing |
Parties | |
Lead figures | |
Supported by:
Supported by: | |
Casualties | |
Detained |
The 2024 Armenian protests, most commonly known in Armenia as Tavush for the Homeland (Armenian: Տավուշը հանուն Հայրենիքի, romanized: Tavushy 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.[33]
Events
Spontaneous protests
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.[34]
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.[35]
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.[36]
Galstanyan-led protests
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?"[37] 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.[38]
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.[40]
On 11 May, Tigran Urikhanyan , 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.[41]
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.[42]
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.[43] On 14 May, the Jamestown Foundation noted that the protests failed to gain momentum.[40]
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.[44]
On 21 May, Galstanyan met with exiled representatives of the National Assembly of Artsakh in Yerevan.[45]
Opposition to the protests
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."[46]
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.[47]
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.[citation needed]
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]."[48]
Reactions
European Union: The European Union welcomed the Armenian-Azerbaijan border delimitation deal.[49] 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."[50]
Kazakhstan: President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced Kazakhstan's readiness to assist by providing a platform for negotiations between Baku and Yerevan.[51] 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,[52] 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.[52] However, the negotiations ended with no conclusion as both sides insisted that there were "differences" on key provisions.[52]
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.[53] These Russian forces were then redeployed to Yerevan.[53]
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.[54]
See also
- 2018 Armenian Revolution
- 2020–2021 Armenian protests – Similar protests following Pashinyan's signing of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement
- 2021 Armenian political crisis – A foiled military-coup against Pashinyan
- 2022 Armenian protests – Similar protests about the ceasefire agreement
- 2023 Armenian protests – Similar protests following Pashinyan and Russia's refusal to intervene in the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh
- Flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians
Notes
References
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- ^ "«Ո՛չ Տավուշի հանձնմանը». ՀՅԴ-ն բողոքի ակցիա է անցկացրել Լիբանանում Հայաստանի դեսպանատան դիմաց". 5 May 2024.
- ^ "Boston community holds vigil in support of "Tavush for the Homeland" movement". The Armenian Weekly. 14 May 2024.
- ^ Team, The Armenian Report (8 May 2024). "Armenian Diaspora in Glendale Marches in Solidarity with Tavush for the Homeland Movement". The Armenian Report.
- ^ "Protest at Armenian Mission in NY to support "Tavush for the Homeland" movement". 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Armenians express their support for Tavush for Homeland movement". 13 May 2024.
- ^ Chapter, AYF DC "Ani" (15 May 2024). "AYF leads Greater Washington, D.C. vigil in solidarity with "Tavush for Homeland" movement". The Armenian Weekly.
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- ^ a b "ԱԺ-ն կքննարկի սահմանազատման հարցով հրատապ նիստ անցկացնելու ընդդիմության առաջարկը". PanARMENIAN.Net.
- ^ "ՖՈՏՈ. «Ազգային ժողովրդավարական բևեռ»-ը ակցիա է իրականացնում Ազատության հրապարակում՝ ընդդեմ ապօրինի սահմանազատման | Armlur – Լուրեր Հայաստանից".
- ^ a b "Տավուշի մարզի ժողովրդի անկեղծ բողոքն ու մտահոգությունը օտար միջամտությանը վերագրելն ուղղակի խայտառակություն է և դատապարտելի. Մարուքյան".
- ^ a b c d "Former Armenian MP detained in Russia". azernews. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ "«Անենք անհրաժեշտը՝ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հեռացումը, բավարարը, հետո կհասկանանք, թե ինչպե՞ս ենք անում անհնարինը». Սուրեն Պետրոսյան".
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Ոչ ոք իրավունք չունի կպնել եկեղեցուն. Գագիկ Ծառուկյան (տեսանյութ)". www.tert.am.
- ^ "Բագրատ Սրբազանը Սուրբ Աննա եկեղեցում է. ուղիղ". 16 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Քաղաքական ուժերը Բագրատ սրբազանի հետ հանդիպումից հետո խոսում են նրա՝ վարչապետի թեկնածության մասին" – via www.azatutyun.am.
- ^ a b "Պարույր Հայրիկյանը եկավ ողջունելու Բագրատ սրբազանին (տեսանյութ)".
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- ^ "The ARS supports "Tavush for the Homeland"". The Armenian Weekly. 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Statement regarding the situation in Tavush region of Armenia". horizonweekly.ca. 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Tavush for the Homeland - CSI supports Armenian protestors".
- ^ a b c d "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ a b c d "48 protesters were taken to the police station". News.am. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Armenian Archbishop Leads Massive Protest Over Land Deal With Baku". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Հրամայական է, որ միասնական, աննկուն ու հաստատակամ լինենք՝ ընդդեմ մեր ազգային կյանքը փոթորկող մարտահրավերների. Գարեգին Բ".
{{cite web}}
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(help); Text "https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32966538.html" ignored (help) - ^ "Բանակը կարող է Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի անօրինական հրամաններից հետ կանգնել. Սեյրան Օհանյան".
- ^ "Ես կուզեմ, որ Բագրատ Սրբազանի սկսած շարժումը հաջողի, որովհետեւ Նիկոլը դավաճան է. Շանթ Հարությունյան". news.am. 16 May 2024.
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- ^ "Փնտրում եմ մարդկանց, որոնք կասեն՝ դրանք Տավուշի գյուղերն են, ես ման եմ գալիս այդ մարդկանց․ Ալեն Սիմոնյան". Armtimes.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Minoyan, Hoory (15 May 2024). ""Tavush for the Homeland" protests continue against planned land concessions". The Armenian Weekly.
- ^ 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.
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- ^ 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.
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- ^ "Thousands of Armenians demand prime minister resign over border villages dispute with Azerbaijan". ABC.
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- ^ a b "Clergy-Led Demonstrations Raise Concerns over Separation of Church and State in Armenia". Jamestown.
- ^ "In support of "Tavush for the Motherland" a motor rally started from Armenia's second city towards Yerevan". News.am. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ "Protesters stage acts of disobedience across Yerevan".
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Protesters picket Yerevan EBRD event demanding Armenian PM's resignation". www.intellinews.com. 16 May 2024.
- ^ Mirror-Spectator, The Armenian (23 May 2024). "Galstanyan Meets with Karabakh Government Members, MPs in Yerevan".
- ^ "Չի բացառվում, որ մայիսի 9-ին Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանը՝ կաթողիկոսի ուղեկցությամբ, գա հրապարակ. Անի Խաչատրյան". Armtimes.com.
- ^ Ստեփանյան, Ռուզաննա (10 May 2024). "«Փորձ է արվում ապօրինի ճանապարհով հեղաշրջում իրականացնել». ՔՊ պատգամավոր". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան – via www.azatutyun.am.
- ^ 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.
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- ^ "European Commission Official Affirms Armenia’s Right to Seek EU Membership". Caucasus Watch. 16 March 2024.
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- ^ a b c "'Differences' Remain As Azerbaijan, Armenia Conclude Peace Talks In Kazakhstan". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
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