We, the undersigned NGOs of the Republic of Armenia, condemn the arbitrary prosecution of young environmentalist Mariam Surkhudyan, assess that the campaign unleashed against Ms. Surkhadyan is but one of many recent attempts to silence active citizens through criminal accusations which also include the arrest of an observer who protested against rigged elections, accusations against the youth who advertised the rally, charges against attorneys who dared to protect political dissidents and the arbitrary prosecution of opposition journalists. We are convinced that bringing false criminal accusations against individuals who raise alarm about crimes they witness, who are ready to protect their own and others' political and civil rights, is typical only of dictatorships, not democracies. The policy pursued by the Armenian authorities promotes not the formation of conscious and honorable citizens but rather molds citizens into faceless creatures forced to think like slaves. We demand * the immediate termination of the prosecution of Mariam Surkhudyan * a fair and impartial trial which calls to account the real criminals * an end to repression against activists in our country. Signatories,
"Armenian Volunteer Union" Movement, "Ecodar" environmental NGO, "Foundation against Violation of Law" NGO, "Helsinki Committee of Armenia" NGO, "Huys" NGO, "Institute for Democracy and Human Rights" NGO, "Journalists for Human Rights" NGO, "Lawyers for Human Rights" NGO, "Mijnaberd" Cultural Public Organization "National Citizens Initiative" NGO, "Rights and Freedom Center" NGO, "Transparency International Anti-corruption Center" NGO, "Victims of State Needs" NGO, "World Independent Youth Union" Organization, "Zartonk-89" NGO
