Thirty students and alumni of the College of Europe in Yerevan have published an open letter addressed to   top officials of the European Union and Council of Europe, calling on them to demand that the Armenian government refrain from any unlawful and disproportionate use of force against protesters.

Here’s the text of the letter sent to EU officials:

To the attention of President of the European Council Mr. Donald TUSK, President of the European Commission Mr. Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Parliament Mr. Antonio TAJANI, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mrs. Federica MOGHERINI, European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Mr. Johannes HAHN, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia Mr. Piotr ŚWITALSKI. 

We, the following students and alumni of College of Europe from the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter Armenia), 

Acknowledging that the former President of Armenia Mr. Serzh Sargsyan circumvented both the Armenian public and the international community by acting in vivid contradiction with his statement not to aspire to become Prime Minister of Armenia, 

Having regard that during his so-called ’’election’’ by the National Assembly of RA Serzh Sargsyan has publicly declared and confessed about the embezzlement and abuse of power by stating that ’’ ... you don’t understand that after the constitutional amendments, no individual has the right to speak on behalf of the people. Only the political majority can speak on behalf of the people’’.

Having conviction that the liberty of expression is a cornerstone of a pluralistic democracy,

Mindful that the third term of Mr. Serzh Sargsyan is likely to further jeopardize Armenian statehood, human rights and the rule of law, 

Convinced that numerous fellow-citizens of ours participate in opposition rallies lest Armenia become less democratic and closer to dictatorship, 

Convinced that the implementation of the political demands of the protesters, i.e. unscheduled elections of Parliament will solidify stability and strengthen the rule of law in Armenia, bringing it closer to Europe and the norms and values adhered by the EU,

 

Concerned with the use of disproportionate force by the authorities of Armenia against the peaceful protesters, 

Concerned that the Deputies of the National Assembly of Armenia were detained in violation of Article 96.2 of the Constitution of Armenia, 

Convinced that the strong conditionalities of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement are the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Urge the European Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the Parliament of the European Union, 

To demand the authorities of Armenia to abstain from any unlawful and disproportionate use of force against the protesters, 

To suspend funding to the Government until and unless the authorities accept the political demand of the Armenian people, 

To demand the authorities of Armenia to join the Rome Treaty of the International Criminal Court. 

Albert BARSEGHYAN, 2015-2016 Chopin Promotion

Albert HAYRAPETYAN, 2017-2018 Simone Veil Promotion

Ani HOVHANNISYAN, 2011-2012 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Promotion

Ani HOVHANNISYAN, 2017-2018, Simone Veil Promotion

Ani PAPYAN, 2017-2018, Simone Veil Promotion

Anna DAGHLARYAN, 2014-2015 Falcone and Borsellino Promotion

Anna PAMBUKCHYAN, 2015-2016 Chopin Promotion

Arman YEGHOYAN, 2014-2015 Falcone and Borsellino Promotion

Artsrun KHANGELDYAN, 2017-2018 Simone Veil Promotion

Ernest PETROSYAN, 2015-2016 Chopin Promotion

Galya HOVHANNISYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Gohar HAKHNAZARYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Grigor YERITSYAN, 2014-2015 Falcone and Borsellino Promotion

Hripsime ASATRYAN, 2017-2018 Simone Veil Promotion

Karine GHAHRAMANYANTS, 2011-2012 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Promotion

Knarik MANUKYAN, 2013-2014 Voltaire Promotion

Laura ABRAHAMYAN, 2014-2015 Falcone and Borsellino Promotion

Liana ZAKARYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Lilit SARGSYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Lusine DRAMPYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Margarita GABOYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Maria SIMONYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Mariam MURADYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Nazeli TOVMASYAN, 2015-2016 Chopin Promotion

Perchuhi GHASABYAN, 2014-2015 Falcone and Borsellino Promotion,

Sona GHAZARYAN, 2014-2015 Falcone and Borsellino Promotion

Tatevik AZIZYAN, 2016-2017 John Maynard Keynes Promotion

Tatevik KARAPETYAN, 2017-2018 Simone Veil Promotion

Tatevik Torosyan, 2012-2013, Václav Havel promotion

Tsovinar MARGARYAN, 2017-2018 Simone Veil Promotion

Viktoria GRIGORYAN, 2015-2016 Chopin Promotion