Toggle navigation menu.
Helsinki Default Banner

Helsinki Commission Announces Briefing on the Protest Movement in Armenia

WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing:

REVOLUTION IN ARMENIA? THE POWER AND PROSPECTS OF THE PROTEST MOVEMENT

Thursday, April 26, 2018
4:00 p.m.
Capitol Visitor Center
Room SVC 200

Live Webcast: www.facebook.com/HelsinkiCommission

Under pressure from a surging popular protest movement, Armenia’s Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigned on Monday, less than one week after taking office. The mass demonstrations were sparked by Armenia’s transition this month to a parliamentary system from a semi-presidential one. Small-scale protests emerged in mid-April as it became clear that parliament would elect Sargsyan, who served as president since 2008, to the newly empowered post of prime minister, and culminated with tens of thousands of demonstrators in Armenia’s central square.

Protestors met news of Sargsyan’s resignation with jubilation, but after securing its principal demand, the loosely organized, youth-led movement faces uncertain prospects going forward.

What will be the outcome of early dialogue between the government and protest leaders? Can the movement achieve more lasting reform of the entrenched power structures in Armenia’s political system? Will this collective mobilization translate into sustained political engagement? What are the regional implications of this domestic upheaval?

The following expert panelists will address these questions and others:

  • Elen Aghekyan, Independent Research Analyst
  • Stephen Nix, Eurasia Regional Director, International Republican Institute

Other panelists may be added.

 

Media contact

Category
Country
Issue
Date
Filter Topics Open Close
In the News

Bipartisan House members push Biden to allow Poland ...

Oct 30, 2024

In the News

US Weighs NATO Ally’s Offer To Shoot Down Russ...

Nov 01, 2024

screen-reader-text
In the News

Bipartisan report urges rethink of America’s Russia ...

Sep 28, 2024

screen-reader-text
In the News

Wilson Talks Russia Strategy

Oct 02, 2024

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

Chairman Wilson Issues Statement on Government Raids...

Oct 25, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, US Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson (SC-02), issued the following statement regarding the government raids on the homes of the two Tbilisi, Georgia-based researchers with the US-based Atlantic Council: “It is with much dismay and concern that I have learned about the government raids on the homes of Eto Buziashvili and Sopo Gelava. They are […]

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

NEW REPORT—Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russi...

Dec 12, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Helsinki Commission staff published a new report entitled, “Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russia’s Attacks on NATO Territory.” Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian sabotage campaigns across North America and Europe have accelerated. Calculated campaigns of hybrid warfare show that Russia’s antagonistic foreign policy knows no bounds. In […]

screen-reader-text
Publications

Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russia’s A...

Dec 12, 2024

Executive Summary: Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian sabotage campaigns across North America and Europe have accelerated. Calculated campaigns of hybrid warfare show that Russia’s antagonistic foreign policy knows no bounds. In conjunction with its war in Ukraine, Russia is simultaneously executing a shadow war on NATO to destabilize, distress, and […]

screen-reader-text
Statements

Chairman Wilson on the 30th Anniversary of the Budap...

Dec 05, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum: “Thirty years ago, Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum, denuclearizing Ukraine in exchange for ‘security assurances.’ This agreement was signed under the pretense of […]

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

HEARING – The Role of Belarus in Russia’s Crimes

Dec 05, 2024

Rayburn House Office Building 2118 Stream live here   Under the 30-year dictatorship of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Belarus has become one of the most isolated and dangerous countries in Europe. Lukashenka and his regime have destroyed and uprooted many lives—jailing over a thousand political prisoners in horrific conditions, blatantly falsifying elections, and engaging in mass repressions […]

screen-reader-text
Hearings

The Role of Belarus in Russia’s Crimes

Dec 05, 2024

Under the 30-year dictatorship of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Belarus has become one of the most isolated and dangerous countries in Europe. Lukashenka and his regime have destroyed and uprooted many lives—jailing over a thousand political prisoners in horrific conditions, blatantly falsifying elections, and engaging in mass repressions leading to an exodus of civil society from the […]

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

Chairman Wilson and Ranking Member Cohen Condemn Rus...

Dec 05, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement condemning Russia’s malign interference in the Romanian presidential election, the second round of which is scheduled to take place Sunday, December 8th: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s malign interference in the Romanian election. Romania is an exemplary U.S. […]

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

Chairman Wilson Calls for Sanctions Against Georgian...

Dec 04, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement in response to the de-facto Georgian government’s crackdown against Georgian activists, protestors, and members of the opposition: “The de-facto Georgian government has shed all pretense of democracy and has now started arresting innocent activists and peaceful members of the opposition in their […]

screen-reader-text
In the News

Helsinki Commission: Georgian Authorities Must Face ...

Dec 04, 2024

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

Co-Chair Cardin, Ranking Member Wicker, Senator Corn...

Dec 03, 2024

“We strongly condemn the violence unleashed against peaceful protesters,” said the members, adding that “tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, beatings, and mass arrests have no place on the streets of Tbilisi.” WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Co-Chair Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Ranking Member Roger Wicker (MS), and Senator John Cornyn (TX) issued a statement standing with the people of Georgia as […]

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

Chairman Wilson and Ranking Member Cohen Express The...

Nov 29, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement expressing their solidarity with the Georgian people as they continue to peacefully protest to save their democracy and European future in the face of violent government repression: “On Thursday, Georgians took to the streets in Tbilisi […]

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

HEARING – 1000 Days of Russia’s War on Ukraine

Nov 19, 2024

Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2358-A Stream live here On November 19, one thousand days will have passed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s war, rooted in its centuries-long history of violent imperialism, has brought terror and tragedy to Ukrainian soil. Ukrainians have fought courageously for their survival and the freedom and […]

screen-reader-text
Hearings

1000 Days of Russia’s War on Ukraine

Nov 19, 2024

On November 19, one thousand days will have passed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s war, rooted in its centuries-long history of violent imperialism, has brought terror and tragedy to Ukrainian soil. Ukrainians have fought courageously for their survival and the freedom and independence of their country while Russian forces have engaged […]

screen-reader-text