Hayaqve legislative initiative collects 54,800 signatures

54,800 citizens have joined the Hayaqve initiative, Avetik Chalabyan, Coordinator of the initiative, said at today’s press conference.

“This week, 16,000 citizens have joined the initiative. A total of 54,800 citizens joined, of which 24,660 – in Yerevan, 29,360 – in the regions and 760 – by sending their electronic signatures,” he said.

Chalabyan noted that the authorities resorted to administrative pressure. “Members of the Civil Contract, especially in rural communities, literally began to fight against citizens. People are threatened with dismissal, deprivation of benefits, they threaten to harm their children, sons serving in the army. There are many such cases, people are afraid, some were forced to leave. But despite this, the initiative is gaining ground,” he assured.

Hayaqve is a civil legislative initiative launched by 66 civic activists. They have submitted a draft law to the Central Election Commission of Armenia which stipulates severe criminal punishment for recognizing Artsakh as part of another state on behalf of the Republic of Armenia, as well as for refusing international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The proposed amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia are:

Article 1. To supplement the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia of May 5, 2021, with the following content, Articles 420.1 and 420.2:

Article 420.1. Recognizing Artsakh as part of any other state
Recognizing Artsakh as part of any other state on behalf of the Republic of Armenia is punishable by imprisonment for ten to fifteen years.

Article 420.2. Refusing to recognize the Armenian Genocide, publicly denying, justifying, or belittling the Armenian Genocide
Refusing to recognize the Armenian Genocide on behalf of the Republic of Armenia, publicly denying, justifying, or belittling the Armenian Genocide is punishable by imprisonment for ten to fifteen years.

Article 2. This law enters into force on the tenth day following the day of its official publication.