The public unrests and 24/7 rallies in the Liberty Square with thousands of citizens demanding revision of election results following the presidential elections of February 19, 2008 were suppressed on March 1, 2008 as the authorities used violent force and removed from the Liberty Square the sit-in protesters staying there for the night.
“An unprecedented number of laws were adopted at the 2nd session of the 6th convocation NA,” stated Lusine Vasilyan, NA Monitoring Program Manager at the press conference hosted by the Media Center on February 15, summing up the findings of the NA monitoring of the 1st and 2nd sessions of the 6th convocation parliament.
The US Embassy in Yerevan does not deny that in case of engaging in "significant deals" with Russian military industry complex companies, Armenia or any other country may be targeted by the new sanctions.
The draft Master Plan for 2018-2022 presented by the Concessionaire of Zvartnots International Airport and Gyumri Shirak Airport stipulates demolishing the old building of Zvartnots Airport.
On January 30, 2018 the Constitutional Court granted the claim of the Investigative Journalists; the CC ruling declares unconstitutional the provision of Article 68(6) of the Land Code stating that the auction and sale of community lands must be closed-door.
“Of course, in 2017 Armenia saw 7.7% growth in economic activity, exports, imports and tax collection, but issues of individual and systemic responsibility especially of high-ranking officials in various links of power still remain unresolved.”
“In Armenia, there are about 8-10 thousand primary cancer patients annually who need psychosocial service”, stated Liana Safaryan, Oncologist at the Chemotherapy Clinic, YSMU Muratsan Hospital Complex, during the discussion hosted at Media Center on February 5.
On February 2, the Media Center hosted a discussion on ‘Right to Freedom of Expression: What are the Boundaries?’ Lately, the social networks and mass media outlets have addressed their criticism at poet Husik Ara for his poem about Armenia.
The media regularly reportes that the old mine dumps of Akhtala Mountain Enrich Combinat, situated between Chochkan and Mets Ayrum communities in Lori region, poses a danger to the environment and the population.
On January 28 Armenia celebrates its Army Day. A few days before, on January 26, the Media Center hosted a discussion on protection of the rights of military servicemen and cases of violations in 2017; speakers Mr. Artur Sakunts, human rights activist and Chairman of HCA Vanadzor, and Ms Zhanna Alexanyan, human rights activist and Chairperson of Journalists for Human Rights NGO, shared their views on current issues.
On March 2, 2018, the RA National Assembly will elect the 4th President of Armenia. On January 18, Armen Sargsyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, was nominated as the candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Armenia during the meeting of the executive body of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).
The detention conditions and issues of detainees at penitentiaries remain unchanged as compared to the previous years. This opinion was expressed by Robert Revazyan, member of the Public Observers’ Group Conducting Public Monitoring at Penitentiaries of the RA MoJ, at the discussion hosted by the Media Center on January 19.
On January 13, RA Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan posted on his Facebook page about the treatment expenses of military serviceman Albert Dallakyan, who was wounded as a result of violating the rules for safe handling with a weapon by the platoon commander. The minister urged to donate for surgery of the wounded soldier abroad. The required amount is 46,000 USD.
On December 9, 2017, during the meeting dedicated to local self-government and territorial administration bodies RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated in particular: