Statement by the Executive Body of the Republican Party of Armenia

The Republican Party of Armenia emphasizes that:

• Article 4 of the Constitution prescribes that state power shall be exercised in conformity with the Constitution and the laws, based on the separation and balance of the legislative, executive and judicial powers.
• Article 162 of the Constitution prescribes that any interference with the administration of justice shall be prohibited.
• Pursuant to Article 164 of the Constitution, when administering justice, a judge shall be independent, impartial and act only in accordance with the Constitution and laws.
• Pursuant to part 1 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, interference, in any way, with the activities of a court for the purpose of impeding the implementation of justice, including by use of official position, is a crime.
• Pursuant to Article 301 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, public calls for seizing power, violating territorial integrity or forcefully overthrowing constitutional order are crimes. Based on the aforementioned, the Republican Party of Armenia declares:
• Constitutional order, the principle of separation and balance of powers and a number of fundamental human rights and freedoms are at risk in the Republic of Armenia once again.
• We strictly condemn the unprecedented pressure that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is exerting on the judiciary of the Republic of Armenia.
• This working style will be to the detriment of the principles of fair trial and rule of law in the country.
• It is deepening the schism in society, disrupting the formation of an atmosphere of public solidarity and giving a new impulse to the propaganda of intolerance and hatred, which will lead to unpredictable consequences. In the created situation, we call on:

1. the Armenian people to refrain from participating in the dangerous and venturesome processes provoked by Nikol Pashinyan.
2. political parties, civil society institutions and public figures to join efforts in condemning and preventing these processes that are leading the country to perdition.
3. law-enforcement authorities to ensure the regular activities of the judiciary, exclusively within the scope of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia and take measures against people posing threats to constitutionality in the country, irrespective of the positions they hold.
4. the international community and diplomatic missions accredited to Armenia to give clear-cut evaluations of the attack organized by the incumbent authorities of Armenia on the Constitution and the judiciary.

Executive Body of the Republican Party of Armenia