20 April 2010, 20:00
In Yerevan, protesters at Georgia's Embassy demand cultural autonomy of Samtskhe-Dzhavakhetiya
On April 20, in central Yerevan, at the building of Georgia's Embassy, a protest action was held by the public organization "Armenian Neo-Conservative Movement", where participants demanded to defend the rights of Armenian residents of the Georgian region Samtskhe-Dzhavakhetiya. The protesters raised the issues of cultural autonomy of the region.
The action accompanied by a march to the embassy building and a small rally was about 200-300 persons strong; the overwhelming majority were young people aged 17-20.
"We struggle for the rights of the people of Dzhavakhk (Armenian name of Samtskhe-Dzhavakhetiya, - comment of the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent). Our compatriots are not allowed using literature in their mother tongue. Our aim is to help Dzhavakhk Armenians to get education in their native Armenian language and preserve their culture and language," Gagik Simonyan, a member of the board of the movement, said in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
The rally at the embassy was scanning: "Dzhavakhk!" and "Autonomy to Dzhavakhk!" The posters held by the participants of the action ran: "Let us defend Dzhavakhk!", "It's time to bring Georgia to reason!" and "Give the Armenian language the status of regional in Dzhavakhk!"
Grigol Vashadze, Georgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who visited Armenia half a year ago, said that Georgia is ready to discuss any ideas and offers with Armenia, including the issue of awarding the Armenian language with the status of regional language.
Author: Lylyt Ovanisyan Source: CK correspondent
