Atom Egoyan
Filmmaker
Member of the Civilitas Foundation Honorary Board
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
October 1, 2012

I have known Vartan Oskanian for many years, and believe that he is a brilliant statesman, committed to Armenia’s prosperity and well-being.  He is a truly international presence, capable of creating important bonds and bringing cherished ideas of democratic reform and free media to a country that is still recovering from over seventy years of Soviet-era control.
 
With this in mind, I immediately accepted Mr. Oskanian’s invitation to lend my name to the formation of Civilitas.  I have watched as this vital organization has helped shape the course of open discussion and debate within a country I cherish and so proud of.  This is why I am so shocked and upset by the current charges that have been brought against Mr. Oskanian.  The persecution of Vartan Oskanian is a deplorable and politically motivated action which is extremely dangerous to the health of the country.
 
I urge the Prosecutor General of Armenia to seriously consider the consequences of removing Vartan Oskanian’s immunity and to charge him with this trumped-up charge.  This action is being watched with great concern by anyone who is concerned with freedom of expression in a truly democratic and modern country.