The reasons in the United States are racial, whereas in Armenia – boyish and “by order.” There is no paradise in any corner of the world. The countries and the places, which seem “paradise” or at least exemplary to us, actually are filled up with numerous problems. There are places in the world where people are longing for a piece of dry bread, where from time to time wars and violence are waged, where the justice is cynically abused. Moreover, no country and no settlement is secured of such disasters. The difference perhaps is how and with what mechanisms people are trying to cope with these disasters. When we say “international experience”, we probably mean just that.
The racial clashes in the Ferguson city, US Missouri are on, although their peak seems to pass away. Black people is protesting against murdering of the 18-year-old unarmed teenager, Michael Brown, by the police, seeing here a manifestation of racism. The police was unable to stop the riot with its efforts and there was a necessity to call for the National Guard for help. BBC recalls that similar events have been held in Los Angeles in 1992. In particular, the police officers have brutally beaten with batons the black Rodney King on the street, and the videotape with this “retaliation” had found a widespread throughout the world. Three sadistic police officers stood before the court and were justified. In response, riots began, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people. But an interesting fact, two days after Michael Brown’s murder, another black man was killed in Los Angeles, Ezell Ford. His friends claim the police shot in the back of the neck when Ford was lying facing the ground. According to the version by the police, Ezell wanted to seize the weapons from the police officer. However, this event has not raised such a storm of protest, as it did in Ferguson. The reasons are numerous. Probably, it plays the role that although Missouri and California are located in the same country, but with their “mentality”, they are extremely different. Missouri is much more conservative, the slavery and, therefore, racist traditions are very strong here.
But more important is the fact that over 20-year, the Los Angeles police has done some work not only to reduce the crime, but also to strengthen the trust towards it. For example, it increased the number black people and “Latinos” in its staff, and the police regularly meets with residents and answer their most pressing questions. There are no racial or ethnic problems in this sector in Armenia, the Armenian police beats up the Armenian citizens. As to how proportionate the use of force is, should be decided by the court if the citizen complains.
The difference, perhaps, is that people in the United States trust more to the independence of the courts than to the police, whereas in Armenia, both are not equally trusted. To find the border of where they the police actions end up, which are aimed at the prevention of disorder or hooliganism, and where the “boyish” actions by the police begin (“how did you dare to say something to me?”), or the brutality issued from “the top”, is not so easy. This and alike matters should be discussed not only in courts, but also in wide circles of the society. What will happen, for example, if Armenia’s senior police officers go to the universities, meeting youth, different circles of activists and try to enter into dialogue with them?
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ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
