Transparency International Anti-corruption Center joined a number of civil society organizations' public demand to Serzh Sargsyan, which reads, "It is already the 8th day that the Republic of Armenia's citizen Raffi Hovannisian, (the leader of the "Heritage" party, member of the National Assembly and the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia) is on hunger strike, thus ringing an alarm and demonstrating his protest of the current state of affairs of our nation and the endangered future of Armenia.

From the first day of the strike March 15th, the authorities of the highest levels have shown an exceptionally inhuman conduct to Hovannisian, by not allowing a tent or a heating device. Fellow citizens' initiatives to remedy the situation were brutally stopped by the police.

The discussion of this question with the Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan, the Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan, and the Chief of Police Alik Sargisyan led to no results, although the Ombudsman declared that the police actions were not lawful and are a violation of Raffi Hovannisian's rights. Taking advantage and abusing Mr. Hovannisian's silent and peaceful hunger strike, the authorities retorted to an extreme inhuman conduct. Hovannisian spent the night and morning of March 23rd under heavy rain with only a medium sized umbrella as cover and was soaked in water as a result of the pouring rain. This state of affairs not only multiplies the danger posed to Mr. Hovannisian's health but in the event of its continuation, will be a serious threat to his life.

The current situation compels us to address Serzh Sargsyan. We the undersigned demand that by today March 23, Serzh Sargsyan ensure that the state has carried out its responsibility and has provided a tent to the citizen in hunger strike.

In the case of inaction, we the citizens will take over the responsibility of the state.

Sona Ayvazyan, Transparency International Anti-corruption Center
Levon Barseghyan, "Asparez" Journalists' Club
Nadezhda Hakobyan, Menk + Social NGO
Anahit Hakobyan, "Arena of Education" NGO
Seda Melikyan, Lawyers for Human Rights
Zhanna Aleksanyan, Journalists for Human Rights
Avetik Ishkhanyan, Helsinki Committee of Armenia
Hrayr Savzyan, Ekodar NGO
Mikael Aramyan, Against Violation of Law
Ashot Melikyan, Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech
Lara Aharonian, Women Resource Center
Isabella Sargsyan, Youth for Democracy
Lala Aslikyan, Hope NGO
Hovsep Khurshudyan, National Citizens' Initiative
Artemis Lepejyan, "Surb Sandukht" Women Union
Silva Vardanyan, Zartonk 89
Hasmik Aslanyan, "Shogher" Union
Greta Gabrielyan, "Ecological Academy"
K. Ghambaryan "Center of Birdlovers"
Silva Adamyan, member of coordination committee, "Ecological Public Union"
Hakob Sanasaryan, Union of Greens
Gagik and Mariam Sukhudyans
Edik Baghdasaryan, journalist