Armenian National Congress Marks 20 Years of Armenia’s Independence

For 20 years, the Armenian National Congress (HAK) has been celebrating the day the country’s Declaration of Independence was adopted: August 23, 1990. This year, the opposition group marked the occasion by gathering at 8 pm at the park where Saryan’s statue stands. Those present included the first president of the Republic of Armenia and HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Those gathered listened to Pan-Armenian National Movement leader Aram Manukyan, who read the actual Declaration in full; HAK Coordinator Levon Zurabyan; HAK representative Davit Shahnazaryan, former prisoner of conscience Vardan Malkhasyan; and actor Yervand Manaryan.

Manukyan, during his address, reminded those present that the Declaration of Independence was created as a result of a long struggle. 

“The document of dreams, for which nations suffer, for which there are victims in the hundreds, thousands, and many don’t reach the day they dream of, is called independence. The first parliament formed by free elections, the Supreme Council, declared that miracle document. A collection of all dreams consisting of twelve enigmatic points, which was called Armenia’s declaration of independence,” he said. 

Zurabyan, during his address, presented four provisions out of the Declaration. One of those was the 7th point:

“The national wealth of the Republic of Armenia, the land, the earth’s crust, airspace, water, and other natural resources, as well as economic and intellectual, cultural capabilities are the property of its people, yes. I ask, is this the case in today’s Armenia?” he asked, to which those present unanimously responded, “No!” 

The HAK coordinator continued, “No, today the national wealth in Armenia is stolen. The Robert-Kocharians [Armenia’s second president] and the others have only used their positions to plunder our womb, with the purpose of serving their wealth.”

At the end of the event, the film “The Manuscript of Independence” was screened, which depicted the history of the third republic of Armenia’s 20 years of independence.

It’s important to note that there were only a few police officers present, who didn’t interfere with the event and instead, watched it unfold from a distance.