Armenian Army Losing its Quality: HAK Statement on Army Day

One of the most important episodes of Armenia’s independence, state-building and realization is the Armenian army, the key pillar for the creation of an independent state, reads a statement issued by the opposition group the Armenian National Congress (HAK), on the occasion of Army Day, which is marked each year on Jan. 28 to commemorate the formation of the armed forces of the independent Republic of Armenia.

Congratulating all Armenian conscripts, Yerkrapah volunteers, officers, generals, as well as those who have contributed to the formation of the army and in victory, who today, not compromising their principles, have become political prisoners, HAK simultaneously notes, “This state structure, adopting the best traditions for the first ten years of its formation, is gradually losing its qualities.”

“The disturbing manifestation of this are the tragic incidents in the army as a result of hazing, the victims of which are conscripts. An indisputable example of this by the ruling illegal administration is using the army to resolve internal political problems (the peak of this being March 1, 2008 [when law enforcement officials shot demonstrators protesting the results of the presidential election, which resulted in the death of 10 people]), which, being a crime and a flagrant violation of the Constitution, demoralizes the army.

“We are convinced that, as at one time nationwide attention became one of the important conditions for the formation of the army, so now too such nationwide intolerance and vigilance will help restore the army to its former qualities and legitimate functions,” reads the HAK statement.