Dear compatriots,

We, civil society representatives, deeply sharing the pain and anger of our people, nonetheless call on the public to not lose the ability to judge rationally, not to give in to provocations, not to underestimate the need to be united in this difficult situation. The grief and the justified pain we all share should not overshadow our common sense.

While not supporting any political force, we urge you to refrain from falling into the trap of deception of some circles and to present your demands in a non-violent and legal way. The use of violence in any situation and the provocation of political crisis in a state of martial law is in no way justified. What has already happened – the assault of RA National Assembly speaker, atrocities committed in the Governmental Residence, Government House and the National Assembly buildings and Radio Liberty and OSF Armenia offices, the calls for violence during rallies are strongly condemned and reprehended.

Some political forces are obviously using the difficult psychological state of our society to set ground for the seizure of power. In this case, it is important not to lose vigilance, to be well aware of the trajectory of the currently active various parties and individuals. It is noteworthy that the latter announce that it is still possible to back down from the signed trilateral announcement, to change the situation, but they do not offer any substantive alternative solution or present more or less rational arguments.

The society has the unequivocal right to raise a protest voice, to hold the government accountable, to present its fair demands, but it must be exclusively done within the framework of RA Constitution and laws. Any change of government in the Republic of Armenia should be realized in a constitutional manner, through free and fair elections. At this stage, any attempt to destabilize the country or carry out a coup may endanger the security of our country, up to the very existence of the Republic of Armenia.

In this current difficult situation, each of us, within our role and to the best of our potential, must support the stabilization and improvement of this situation, the situation of health, social, educational, economic and other urgent issues for the sake of the war survivors and our common safety.We believe that the only way to overcome the current crisis is the constitutional and legal resolution of the issues with the complete exclusion of violence and destabilization.

The announcement is open for others to join.

For Equal Rights NGO

Transparency International Antiсorruption Center

Center for Human Rights Studies

Political Dialogue NGO

Anti-Discrimination and Equality Coalition

Armenian Committee of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly

Public Journalism Club

Legal Development and Protection Fund

Pink Human Rights NGO

Women's Support Center NGO

Laboratory of Cultural and Social Narratives NGO

Coalition Against Violence Against Women

Rights Without Borders NGO

"Asbarez" Journalists' Club NGO

Power of Speech NGO

Gyumri Progress NGO

Tempus Center for Social Rights Protection NGO

Community mobilization and Support NGO

Youth Ideas NGO

Spitak Helsinki Group

“Trust” health NGO

Human Rights House Yerevan

Society without Violence NGO

Committee to protect freedom of expression NGO

Isabella Sargsyan, theologian

Anahit Simonyan, human rights activist, researcher

Alexander Martirosyan, communication and media specialist

Stella Chandiryan, lawyer

Vardine Grigoryan, public administration specialist

Tatik Gharibyan, lawyer

Nikolay Hovhannisyan, lawyer

Anna Pambukhchyan, media specialist

Mariam Sargsyan, international relations expert

Gayane Shagoyan, ethnographer

Roman Hovsepyan, archaeologist

Lusine Kharatyan, ethnographer

Susanna Grigoryan, linguist

Nelli Paytyan, international relations expert

Hasmik Knyazyan, cultural anthropologist

Sara Nalbandyan, theatre expert

Oleg Durgaryan, human rights activist

Ara Gharagyozyan, lawyer

Sona Merean, teacher

Shaghik Matevosyan, international relations expert

Arevik Saribekyan, RA citizen

Osvanna Eghoyan, business consultant

Arinna Metsoyan, lawyer

Marina Klyan, RA citizen

Arpi Voskanyan, writer

Nazeli Vardanyan, member of RA chamber of advocates

Anahid Keshishyan, linguist

Anahit Ayvazyan, historian

Maria Hovumyan, management adviser, member of “Resistant communities” civic initiative

Armine Tokhmakhyan, linguist

Lana Karlova, higher education specialist

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