ANNOUNCEMENT

Yerevan State University Statement:

To the Armenian President

Prime Minister

Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia

For the media

Representatives of international university community

Dear Colleagues,

On May 28, Yerevan State University by the indirect participation of the Minister of Education and Science Arayik Harutyunyan and Head of the Government's Oversight Service David Sanasaryan and on May 29, with direct participation of the Head of the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister Vahan Kostanyan and spokesman Karpis Pashoyan has been subjected to political pressure. Senior state officials accompanied by about a hundred people entered the central building of Yerevan State University and demanded the resignation of YSU Rector Aram Simonyan. The legal justification of the resignation has not been submitted, it has been presented based on a political requirement, which is related to the party affiliation of YSU Rector. The demands of political nature were accompanied by various pressures, in particular, the entrances of YSU were closed, the right to free movement of YSU employees was limited, as a result of which YSU Rector Aram Simonyan’s health was disrupted. We think that such behavior is directed by the RA newly elected authorities, which we consider unacceptable and dangerous.

Being a member of the international community, properly performing the commitments and considering that the principle of university autonomy is grossly violated, we look forward to your rapid and active support to keep Yerevan State University free from political oppression.