The Armenian political forces condemn the intention to apply to the European Court of Human Rights on the March 1, 2008 case stated by the Armenian National Congress (ANC).

Naira Zohrabyan, an MP of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) told NEWS.am that the ANC’s initiative is unacceptable. “I will not accept Armenian political forces’ attempts to make the wrinkles of Armenia’s domestic situation a subject of international discussions. Of course, we have numerous problems with democracy and human rights, but they must be resolved inside the country,” Zohrabyan said.

Galust Sahakyan, Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary faction does not consider the ANC’s statement significant. “If it is a real political force, it will not undertake such initiatives,” he said. RPA faction Secretary Eduard Sharmazanov, who condemns the ANC’s intention, quoted Winston Churchill, saying: “When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.” Sharmazanov also commented on the ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s statement drawing parallels between the March 1, 2008 events and Bolshevist rebellion early in the 20th century “I did not know that Ter-Petrosyan, whose political activities contributed to the USSR’s collapse, had come to like Bolsheviks so much,” Sharmazanov said.

Stepan Safaryan, Chairman of the Heritage parliamentary faction refused to comments on the ANC’s initiative. “If the ANC supporters approve of this initiative –” he said.

At the ANC-held rally on September 17, the ANC member Gagik Jhangiryan announced the ANC’s intention to apply to different judicial bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights.