The Principled Minister Retreats: Avetik Ishkhanian

Avetik Ishkhanian, the president of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia and a human rights defender, wrote on his Facebook page: "The geese will break the log. Today, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia once again provided 'professional' justification for the closure of several community maternity hospitals (he was almost convincing me too). But... at least, he retreated and the maternity hospitals in Yeghvard and Achajur will continue to operate.

Question: Why did the principled minister partially retreat? I am convinced that either the minister would not have made such a decision, or he would have revoked it if... If real, sectoral, in this case, medical trade unions existed in Armenia. In that case, the minister would have taken into account the existence of trade unions and perhaps would not have made the decision to close maternity hospitals. However, if, as a 'people's' minister, he did make that decision, the entire medical community would have risen up via a trade union call—strikes, rallies, etc. But since there are not only no real, independent trade unions in Armenia, but also no left-wing parties (including the ARF), the reason for this is also the lack of collegial thinking among us Armenians. Thus, the minister confidently made decisions based on 'professional calculations.'

But nonetheless, the principled minister retreated. The reason was the protests of the residents of Yeghvard and Achajur communities. Taros—other communities to follow."