An action with a demand to organize repatriation of the Syrian Armenians passed off in front of the Government of Armenia

On July, 19, "Aiazn" youth union held an action in Yerevan demanding from the Government to organize the process of repatriation of the Syrian Armenians duly.

"We demand from the Government to work out a universal program of the Armenians' repatriation from different countries, organize their urgent repatriation from dangerous regions, immediately create favourable conditions for immigration of the Armenians from Syria and other countries and provide free transfer with minimum private cargo", activist of the Union Armen Mkrtychyan declared.

"We directed a message to Prime Minister, Minister of Diaspora and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia demanding to create all necessary conditions for repatriation of our Syrian compatriots", Mkrtychyan said.

In particular, the message runs that after Armenia became independent it was expected that it would gladly meet our compatriots from different countries to create a national state. However, after the first spontaneous attempts of repatriation it became evident that the Armenian Government had no program of repatriation and our foreign compatriots are regarded as a source of profit, "Panorama" media quotes the text of the message.

In the opinion of the participants of the action, many Armenians today would like to return to their historic homeland, however they cannot do it because of the officials' irresponsibility and disinclination.

In addition, the protesters advanced a number of demands, in particular, to disallow the carriers to use the present situation for mercenary ends and artificially overrate tickets to Armenia, give preferences to the Armenians who return, including education and social sphere, and grant them the Armenian citizenship, "Novosti Armenia" reports.

It should be mentioned that on the same day Gagik Eganyan, Head of Migration Service of Armenia, reported that as a result of the latest events in Syria families of only six citizens of Armenian origin residing there, consisting of 14 persons all in all, appealed to the authorities of Armenia asking for asylum and a refugee status.

In Eganyan's opinion, there are possibly so few appeals because many people are not aware of this opportunity and others probably do not want to return.

According to him, consideration of these people's requests is currently speeded up and they will get answers within 10 days instead of 30 stipulated by the law. The Syrians are now accommodated in a special dwelling for refugees which belongs to "Apastan" state noncommercial organization and has 40 beds most of which are already occupied, Arminfo referring to Eganyan reports.

According to Eganyan's information, in case of increase of the flow of refugees an additional building of Migration service in Darbnik with 12 or 13 rooms or other departments' resources will be set in motion.