From June 19 AEGEE has attentively followed the recent stand-off and major public discontent over the increase of the electricity price in Armenia.

AEGEE strongly condemns excessive use of force by the Police aimed at dispersing the crowd on the morning of June 23, resulting in arrest of more than 250 civic activists. We are, furthermore, extremely troubled with the use of force against journalists and representatives of different international media channels.

The freedom of assembly and freedom of speech are fundamental democratic values which shall be respected and accordingly not restricted.

Simultaneously, AEGEE expresses its support and solidarity to representatives of Armenian civil society and urge all sides to set a ground for constructive dialogue, with the aim of overcoming non-grounded and unpopular economic decision. As pan-European organization which empowers students and young people in Europe to take active role in society, we call on young people in Armenia effectively exercise their human rights and freedoms to peaceful and non-violent assembly.

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