Union for National Self-Determination
Union for National Self-Determination (Armenian: Ազգային ինքնորոշում միավորում; Azgayin ink’noroshum miavorum) is an Armenian political party. It was founded in 1987 by Paruyr Hayrikyan, a Soviet dissident seeking independence for Armenia.[1][2]
Union for National Self-Determination Ազգային ինքնորոշում միավորում | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Paruyr Hayrikyan |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Yerevan |
| Ideology | Pro-Europeanism Pro-Western |
| Political position | Liberalism |
| Website | |
| www | |
History
Following the 1995 Armenian parliamentary election, the party gained 3 seats within the National Assembly. However, the party lost all political representation in the National Assembly after the 1999 Armenian parliamentary election.
Following a long absence from politics, Paruyr Hayrikyan announced his intentions to create a "democratic alliance" with other liberal pro-democratic parties. Prior to the 2017 Armenian parliamentary election, the Union for National Self-Determination requested to join the Way Out Alliance, however their request was never responded too.[3]
Despite the set-back, Hayrikyan confirmed that the Union for National Self-Determination will participate in future key elections, however the party did not participate in the 2018 Armenian parliamentary election.[4]
Activities
In April 2016, Paruyr Hayrikyan held a press conference with Tigran Khzmalyan, leader of the European Party of Armenia. Both leaders announced the creation of a mass-petition to be signed by citizens calling on the government to give up cooperation with Russia and deepen their ties with European institutions.[5]
In June 2019, during a press conference, Hayrikyan urged Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to strengthen democratic values in Armenia.[6]
On 30 November 2019, Hayrikyan called on the government of Armenia to recognize the Ukrainian Holodomor as a genocide during a speech at the Ukrainian Embassy in Yerevan.[7]
In November 2020, the Union for National Self-Determination held a rally in central Yerevan, along with the European Party of Armenia and the Sasna Tsrer Pan-Armenian Party. The three parties called for the creation of a truly sovereign Armenia by ending Russian political occupation and avoiding clinging to Russia, while aligning closer with Europe.[8]
Ideology
The party believes that the Caucasus region, including Armenia, should move towards European integration as well as increasing integration with Western countries. The party has maintained for 15 years the position that the integration of Armenia and Azerbaijan into the European Union would make the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict senseless, and therefore EU accession should be pursued as a lasting solution to the conflict.[9]
References
- Payaslian, Simon (2011). The political economy of human rights in Armenia : authoritarianism and democracy in a former Soviet republic. London [etc.]: Tauris. p. 87. ISBN 9781848858114.
- Batalden, Stephen K.; Batalden, Sandra L. (1997). The newly independent states of Eurasia : handbook of former Soviet republics (2. ed.). Phoenix, Ariz.: Oryx. p. 101. ISBN 9780897749404.
- "Union for National Self-Determination to participate in Armenia early elections". News.am. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ""Citizens Concerned…": Pro-Europe activists in Armenia demand end to ties with Russia".
- "Yerevan speaks of Ukrainian Genocide".
- "Rally in front of Foreign Ministry calling for "resistance to Russian-Turkish occupation" in parallel with Co-Chairs' visit".
