Rights defenders demand from Armenian authorities to react to situation in Belarus

Two dozen human rights, public and journalistic organizations have called on Armenian authorities to convene the UN Human Rights Council in the context of the situation in Belarus.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that following the totals of the August 9 presidential election in Belarus, the victory of the incumbent Alexander Lukashenko was announced. Mass protests began in the country, which were and are brutally suppressed by law enforcers.

"The uprising of Belarusian citizens is similar to the events of April-May 2018 in Armenia, when people ... took to the streets to reject the dictatorial regime," the above organizations said in their joint statement.

The authors are sure that "the government, which came to power as a result of the Velvet Revolution, cannot remain indifferent to the events in Belarus." In their opinion, Armenia has a high status as a member of the UN Human Rights Council; therefore, it plays a decisive role in this situation.

Armenian authorities must react to the events in Belarus, since the country itself has gone through this path, said Zhanna Alexanyan, the head of the NGO "Journalists for Human Rights".

Nikol Pashinyan's congratulation on Lukashenko's victory at the election was premature, especially since "Lukashenko is not the solid ally to be congratulated," said Artak Kirakosyan, the head of the Civil Society Institute.

Arthur Sakunts, the head of the Vanadzor Office of the Helsinki Civil Assembly has treated the Pashinyan's congratulation of Lukashenko as unacceptable. The Premier will be able to regain people's trust by apologizing to Belarusian people, he has stated.

Alexander Iskandaryan, the director of the Caucasus Institute, doubts that Armenian authorities will initiate the convening of the UN Human Rights Council.