FAR believes that we should shed light on many issues that impact life in Armenia and the Diaspora. All articles posted on our blog, however, do not necessarily reflect the views of our organization.
It is the 13th day of Raffi Hovannisian's hunger strike in Freedom Square.
To journalist Christian Garbis’ question, "Why are you here?" he responded:
"The answer to that question lies in the wisdom of the people, which in its broad cross-sections already stated its demand nearly 20 years after Armenia's declaration of independence to live in a country where rights rule, where the people form their government through free and fair elections not only in the Western way but in the Armenian way."
‘Armenians in our own country have to be liberated,’ says Heritage Party leader
YEREVAN, Armenia (A.W.)—It is the fifth day of Raffi Hovannisian’s hunger strike in Freedom Square. An Armenian American, he is a former foreign minister of the Republic of Armenia and is the leader of the Heritage political party, serving as one of its representatives in the National Assembly. His trademark mustache is gone and he has noticeably lost a considerable amount of weight, but he appears fit and serene, as if practicing meditation. There are 50 or so people loitering in the vicinity, chatting to one another about politics or other issues, every so often taking a glance in his direction to see how he is holding up. While perched on his park bench, with a knitted tricolor coverlet supporting his back, sipping bottled spring water, his supporters, famous folk musicians among them, approach to express their admiration. He is cordial to everyone who greets him, and rises from his seat to embrace those he knows intimately. Some of them tell him they did not ever wish to see him resort to his chosen form of protest. He responds, smiling, that the will of the Armenian people must be heard. For those living in Armenia, his convictions and aspirations for the Armenian state are commonly known and respected. Yet his message has not resonated quite loudly enough for Armenians living in the diaspora to perceive.