We all criticized the ARF faction young deputy Andranik Karapetyan (in the photo), who considered that not notifying about a corruption publicly is not becoming for “Armenian kind”, and opined that the new anti-corruption laws encourage to “whistle-blow”. However, he has ascertained the conviction of 90 percent people in Armenia.
Moreover, although we criticizers theoretically do not agree with Andranik, usually in our daily practice we do exactly as he described.
And this refers not only to corruption. When a bus driver smokes, do we make any remarks? And when in response the driver curses us with a Russian famous phrase, do we note the plate number of his vehicle down and address to the municipality? No, at best, we will curse him back with the same phrase too. And all the excuses that we do not want this poor man to suffer, he affords his family, etc., they are all lies. In fact, we are afraid. We are afraid of the public opinion, and of appearing as a “bad” person.
For the same reason, we are ready day and night to shout, “all of them are looters, and bandits”, etc. but when it comes to the specific case, we are reluctant to divulge the truth.
When a customs officer demands a bribe of us, we either give the bribe or we look for connections not to give it. “What do you want from the poor man? If he doesn’t pay to the authorities, he will not work in the system”, you might say. It is certainly true. But if 10 out of 100 custom officers, 100 tax-collectors, 100 cadastre employees are arrested, will the remaining 90 think about paying to the authorities anymore?
You might also say that their superiors who demand a “tax” must be arrested, no superiors no taxes. That is also true. But we, ordinary citizens, do not deal with the superiors. The “payers” deal with the latter, but will they dare to appeal on their behalf? Certainly not. If they do complain, then without revealing their identities. They will complain if we cease the Asian, semi-criminal practice of reproaching the “whistle-blowing”.
What is the difference between the “notification” institute and the Stalin informers? First, the fact, that it applies only to the corruption of officials, and not to some “anti-Soviet” ideas or expressions.
Second, that no one will be arrested based on the notification. It still needs to be checked, and if the notification is false, the person will not be disturbed. It is likely that they will not be disturbed even if the information is correct.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
