Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the current situation in Armenia as "exclusive" in terms of the government being the leader and defender of democracy, as well as the bearer of democratic values.
Speaking at the Armenian Forum for Democracy, Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia has free elections and freedom of speech, Armenpress reports. He said that no elections have been rigged since he came to power in 2018. Pashinyan stated that people are free to express their opinions on any issue, and the press operates freely.
Addressing the topic of democracy, the Prime Minister renounced the use of insults and hate speech in public and political life.
“And who is defending democracy from this?” he asked. “I don’t see any defenders of democracy in Armenia, but there are many who exploit it. Civil society sometimes even feels the need to justify simply greeting the authorities. But, excuse me, I have a question for civil society: who is fighting against hate speech in the Republic of Armenia? Is democracy about using hate speech? Is democracy about directing sexual insults at a young child? Is that what democracy is? Has anyone here stood up and said to someone, ‘You — I condemn you for your use of hate speech’? Is there such an organization within civil society? If there is, I applaud them — perhaps I haven’t noticed. I would give a standing ovation if there were even two such organizations.”
Pashinyan concluded by stating that the most important characteristic of democracy is self-reflection.
