Armenian authorities` promises attempt to weaken Artsakh popular  movement - Reviving Artsakh movement

ArmInfo. The people of Artsakh must realize that the situation they are in is the result of promises made by the Armenian government to weaken the movement that had been  launched. This was stated by the coordinator of the "Reviving  Artsakh" movement, former member of the Artsakh Rights Protection  Council Anastas Israelyan, in an interview with journalists on June  19 during a protest in front of the Armenian government building in  the center of Yerevan. 

He believes that the negotiations that began with the government  after the large-scale rally of the Artsakh people on March 29 are  nothing more than manipulation aimed at deceiving and weakening the  protest movement. Israelyan explained that after statements about the  readiness to make changes to the assistance programs for the people  of Artsakh that could help them integrate into Armenia, these  promises were refused. He expressed confidence that all the  government's decisions actually pursue a single goal - to bring the  people of Artsakh to a state where the only way out will be  emigration. 

"They are doing everything possible to make people leave Armenia and  go abroad. But we do not want this, we want to stay and live in  Armenia. However, ultimately, all these negotiations with the  government only increase the risk of emigration of the people of  Artsakh," the movement coordinator assured.

In this vein, Israelyan emphasized that nothing prevents the people  of Artsakh from resuming active actions, including mass gatherings in  squares. He believes that such events are more effective than just  discussions with government representatives.

"If there are no results, then this only indicates a failure of  negotiations or collusion with the Armenian government. Some people  (Israyelyan did not explain who he was talking about - ed.) are  moving according to the government's agenda, which is why the people  of Artsakh found themselves in this situation. This is my assessment  of the situation," Israelyan added.

In addition, he expressed his conviction that government programs are  aimed at separating the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh. He  argued that these programs create differences between more vulnerable  groups and those who simply have slightly more opportunities to  provide for themselves at least.

"However, what are we talking about if 150 thousand people found  themselves in this situation due to the mistakes of the Armenian  authorities? Everyone should be provided with equal solutions to all  existing issues, given the difficult circumstances in which these  people find themselves," Israelyan concluded. Let us recall that on  March 29, a rally was held in Yerevan's Freedom Square for the rights  of the people of Artsakh to collective return, a dignified and safe  life in their homeland, for ensuring socio-economic rights in  Armenia, for efforts to return prisoners and protect the cultural  heritage of Artsakh. In connection with the preparation for the  rally, a special Council was formed, which included representatives  of Artsakh public organizations, parliamentary forces and  individuals. The Council set up a tent in Freedom Square, where  meetings were periodically held with various public and political  figures and political forces.  However, the latest negotiations of  the Council resulted in the extension of social assistance for only  two months. At the moment, there is a risk that many Artsakh  residents may be left homeless due to the termination of social  assistance.