The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) organized a protest in front of the National Assembly under the slogan “In defense of all political prisoners in Armenia and Armenian captives held in Baku.” The demonstration coincided with the visit of Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe.
RPA Council member Hayk Derzyan, speaking at the protest, accused Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, along with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, of enabling an anti-democratic system in the region.
“Remaining silent about the injustice we are witnessing is equal to complicity in a crime,” Derzyan declared, directly addressing O’Flaherty, who was meeting officials inside the National Assembly.
Derzyan criticized Armenian authorities for allegedly presenting misleading reports to the Commissioner and making public statements about democracy that he said do not reflect the government’s actual policies.
He emphasized that the European Union’s foundational doctrine is rooted in democracy, free speech, free movement, and the rule of law. He warned that failing to pressure the authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan to end lawlessness would lead to further disasters.
The protest was attended by citizens, members of parliament, and clergy.
During the protest, news broke that several former members of Artsakh’s military and political leadership had been sentenced to life imprisonment in Baku. Only Bako Sahakyan and Arkadi Ghukasyan received 20-year sentences.
