The members of the Voice of Artsakh Mothers initiative gathered in protest near the German embassy in Armenia, chanting demands such as, “Recognize Artsakh,” “Stop international terrorism,” and “Sanction Erdogan and Aliyev.” They demanded that Germany take steps to sanction Turkey as a fellow member of NATO. They demanded that the ambassador come outside, look into their eyes, listen to their terrible stories that have been developing over the past 40 days, and take the letter that the members of the initiative wrote outlining their demands.
The ambassador was not present due to the coronavirus. The deputy ambassador was prepared to receive one of the protesters because of the virus. However, there were three members of the initiative, and they demanded that the three of them need to be received while maintaining social distancing. But the protesters asked that the virus-fearing diplomats at least issue a statement about how Azerbaijan and Turkey are carrying out attacks in the middle of a pandemic. Many people do not have anywhere to live, but “you are hiding under your comfortable chairs in diplomatic rooms.” They also said that the children of Artsakh were deprived of their right to education.
The deputy ambassador rejected the demand to receive the three members of the initiative. One of the coordinators, Siranuysh Sargsyan, considered that to be a terrible act, noting that they do not wish to speak about the war during a pandemic, but they’re afraid to receive three people. “Have you thought about how many people are hiding in bunkers during the pandemic? How are they living? How about the disabled child who was decapitated in his own home? You’re cowards, you’re lowly, you’re criminals.”
Protesters began to chant, “Shame on you, cowards.”
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“We will ignore you in the same way that you ignore us,” coordinating member Lianna Adamyan announced, and she ripped the letter and threw its pieces at the embassy’s gates. “We are not defenseless women. We are fighting alongside our families, our husbands, and our sons. We are not cowards or deserters to run away from the frontlines, and these are our frontlines. You threw away the last semblance of faith. Build yourselves bunkers because you’re going to be next. We will leave while shaming the German embassy in Armenia for its inactivity,” Lianna Adamyan said, adding, “We are convinced that we will win.”
The next protest will take place on Monday by the French embassy.
Nelly Grigoryan
