SDHP Condemns Assaults Against Opposition

The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) condemns violence against freedom-fighters and opposition deputy of the Armenian parliament Aram Manukyan along with other public figures, Armenia’s SDHP Executive Committee Chairman Narek Galstyan told reporters on Tuesday.

The SDHP Executive Committee Chairman informed the media that SDHP members participated in a protest against violence in Yerevan on Monday. “It is a disgrace when a person is assaulted for his or her views or political statements. We are witnesses and we hope that the relevant bodies will punish the culprits,” he said.

“In Armenia a person who steals a hen is sentenced to several years, whereas an assailant is released.” Mr. Galstyan said “We hope that the relevant bodies will establish the motive for the assaults and punish those who ordered and commit them. The parliamentary group of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia should be concerned in resolving the problem.”

The SDHP Chairman also spoke on the recent increases in consumer goods and the depreciation of the dram. “The Central Bank president promised an aggressive policy to prevent continuous dram depreciation. Where is this aggressive policy? They said that some people are seeking to take advantage of the situation. So why are not such people behind bars?” Galstyan stressed.

Galstyan was also critical of the price increases before the New Year. “A 20 percent depreciation of the Armenian dram proves that the government does not carry out its regulatory functions, while petroleum prices are in decline worldwide, they are rising in Armenia. The prices for home-made products are also rising. This is evidence of the government’s poor work,” Galstyan said, “We are again facing a regrettable situation where there is a desire to get maximum profit and become super rich with no consideration for the Armenian economy and no consequences. No good can be gained from such economic lawlessness.”