On July 31, Syune Abrahamyan, a member of the Dutch Youth Union of the ARF, was banned from entering Armenia, as she posted on Facebook. Syune arrived in Armenia to participate in the summer camps organized by the ARF youth unions in Syunik. “After keeping me for 12 hours without any explanation, they informed me that I cannot enter the homeland, I am an unwanted person and I must return to the Netherlands,” Syune wrote.
Aravot.am asked, in her opinion, what caused her to be banned from entry, and whether what happened with the president of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF), ARF Bureau member Murad Papazyan became a precedent, and what she is personally going to do to find out the reason. “They didn’t give me any explanation, they denied me entry without any reason. Of course, everything can be expected from this government, perhaps like Murad Papazyan’s, my political orientation disturbs them so much that I became an unwanted person for the motherland,” said the member of the youth union of ARF Holland.
“By the way, the attitude of the border police was very unpleasant and inhumane. They yelled at me and my younger sister when we asked to talk to our family members on the phone because we thought maybe we didn’t understand some things in terms of the language. They completely rejected our request and behaved very unfathomably angry and rude. They did not even offer a glass of water for 12 hours. Even an enemy does not treat an enemy like that. Now, if they had captured the enemy, they would have offered a glass of water.”
Then she added, “It is important for me to know what the reasons are for denying my entry to the homeland. The border police said that I can contact the Dutch embassy in Armenia and check with them. I was actually already in contact with the Dutch embassy in Armenia, and I don’t know how much they will be able to help and support me. I have the impression that they have reservations about me. I hope they will try to get clarifications from the Armenian authorities.”
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We asked if, under her impression, they are banning the entry of those people who are against the denial of the Armenian Genocide and the settlement of relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan without preconditions.
“As I already said, nothing can be ruled out with these authorities. It is very possible that this is done just to please the Turks and Azerbaijanis and also to cut the Diaspora from Armenia for good. You know, I remembered that during the war I participated in peaceful demonstrations every day in front of the Dutch government building. And I managed to talk to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and demand clear steps from the Dutch government regarding Artsakh. Maybe that is what upset them that we in the Diaspora are actively working to protect the interests of the Artsakh Armenians and to recognize and compensate for the Armenian Genocide,” said Syune Abrahamyan.
Gohar Hakobyan
Photo from Syune Abrahamyan’s Facebook page
