VAHAGN GHOUKASSIAN (Independent investigative journalist – Citizen of the Republic of Armenia) Erevan 64, tel. (374 1) 745 856,  e-mail`  against-terror@narod.ru   ,  sarjum88@freenet.am

Mr. Hayrikyan. On April 2, 2001, the human rights organization “Amnesty International” in London and has called and asked whether I am alive or not. The respectful human rights defense-lady was especially interested about the consequences of the incident that had happened about 10 months ago between the law-enforcement bodies and myself. May be I would not write this open letter, if I didn’t see the name of your AIM-K on the first row of “human rights defense organizations” in the Internet page of Armenia.

Thus, in June 2000, by the demand of the chief of criminal investigation of the Interior Ministry of Armenia, I was illegally intercepted in my mobile workshop, dragged to their headquarters, where I was illegally kept for 9 hours. During this time I was subjected to physical violence. The reason was that I had printed the booklet “The criteria of the spectator” in two dozen examples, where I had referred to “ October 27” and the illegitimate election of Robert Kocharyan as president. As a matter of fact, I was being subjected to persecution for using my legitimate rights established by the Constitution. (Constitution of RA, article 24). Information was printed concerning this violation in the press, as well as I expressed my protest by television and in several newspapers. On June 19, 2000 the International

Committee for the Defense of Journalists in New York had expressed its worry by sending its protest to the address of Robert Kocharyan: Baghramyan Avenue-26. But all this time you never referred to this issue.But now, after 10 months from the incident, they are calling from London, and are asking whether I was being subjected to persecution or not, have they revenged upon me by physically liquidating me or not! And many other similar questions… I confess that after putting down the telephone, I felt ashamed in your place. Do not try to justify yourself by saying that I have not appealed to your “Human Rights Committee next to the President". You cannot pretend that, had I appealed to you, you would have worked out the problem. Don’t try, because I had never appealed to the Human Rights organization in London, but these people have considered their sacred duty to follow the press – they defend the human rights of any individual. They are Human Rights defenders in reality, while You, who are obliged by office to defend every individual’s human rights, did not even give a try to get interested by my violated rights; my, Vahagn Ghoukasyan’s rights, who went on a hunger strike against the leadership of the USSR from 18 to 28 February, 1990, to protest for the defense of your – Parouyr Hayrikyan’s violated rights. Do not think that I have regretted for it. All it is, that I am gravely ashamed at your place.

Finally, I want to give you a direct advice.Remove the name of your party “AIM-K” as a “human rights organization” from the internet. It is a shame.

 P.S.: On March 30 this year, we buried Arthur Malkhasyan in Yerablour. A profoundly honest and great man, who not only was a freedom fighter, he was as well a previous member of AIM, who would successfully carry out any mission entrusted to him. You not only failed to participate in the funeral ceremony, but also denied to send a wreath. At this occasion I want to remind you, that prior to your return from exile, the name of AIM was being more respected day by day thanks to dedicated people like Malkhas. After your return – look at the present picture of AIM…

 VAHAGN GHOUKASSIAN 

“Haykakan Zhamanak” (Armenian Times) Daily Online, Yerevan-Armenia. Thursday,  April 12, 2001.