Epress.am News from Armenia
Despite recent protests by owners of kiosks on Papazyan St. in the Armenian capital, demolition work on these kiosks is nearly completed — not yet demolished are only 5 kiosks on this street, which, according to Yerevan City Hall, have permission to operate, and an additional 2 kiosks, which are made of stone and glass. The latter will be demolished by their owners so the building materials can be saved.
One of the kiosk owners, Anna Kirakosyan, told Epress.am that they were previously informed that the head of the Arabkir administrative district would be meeting with kiosk owners on Saturday to discuss the issue of providing work; however, she found out today that the district head will be meeting with only 6 people.
“Well, naturally, I won’t be among them since I have been one of the protestors. Those who are [more] accommodating have been called. But, nevertheless, I must meet with the district head tomorrow,” she said.
Kirakosyan noted that the kiosk owners were told by the district office that those who are more vulnerable were chosen to meet with the district head. Kirakosyan, however, said that among the chosen is someone who owns 3 kiosks.
On the matter of the demolition of her kiosk, Kirakosyan is preparing to submit a complaint-appeal to the RA Human Rights Defender’s Office and the Armenian government.
Note, at a meeting in city hall today, Yerevan mayor Karen Karapetyan stated that 266 unlawful and decommissioned kiosks in the capital will be demolished by September.
“Alternative employment must be proposed to socially vulnerable people working in these kiosks and appropriate solutions must be found,” he said.