Yerevan, May 1 – Public figure Saida Poghosyan has announced that gatherings are planned for May 4-5, 2026, in Yerevan and Gyumri, demanding the return of Armenian captives and the right of Artsakh Armenians to return. The main rally in Yerevan will take place near the Karen Demirchyan statue, within the Sports and Concert Complex area.
Rallies to Coincide with Armenia-EU Summit
The protests are strategically timed to coincide with the Armenia-EU summit, scheduled for May 4-5 in Armenia, which will be attended by leaders of EU countries. Poghosyan stated that the “For People’s Values” initiative has prepared letters to be handed over to EU leaders during the summit.
Participants and Demands
Participants in the rallies will include relatives of missing persons and captives, individuals demanding the exhumation of their relatives, numerous Artsakh residents, representatives of public organizations, and various political parties. The initiative is supported by many organizations.
Poghosyan highlighted a significant challenge: the agenda for the Armenia-EU summit has not been provided, even to journalists. Despite this, several actions are planned to raise awareness about unresolved rights issues.
Focus on Gyumri and Macron’s Visit
A specific action is also planned for Gyumri. Poghosyan mentioned, “We needed to know for sure that Emmanuel Macron is going to Gyumri.” This suggests a particular focus on the French President’s potential presence in Gyumri during the summit.
Unresolved Issues and Public Awareness
The protests aim to bring attention to a range of human rights issues that remain unresolved. The organizers hope that by holding these rallies during a high-profile international event, they can draw significant attention from European leaders and the international community to the plight of Armenian captives and the rights of Artsakh Armenians.
The “For People’s Values” initiative underscores the urgency of these demands, emphasizing that despite the lack of transparency regarding the summit’s agenda, they are committed to ensuring these critical issues are not overlooked.
Source: https://mamul.am/am/news/358196
