Serzh Sargsyan not fulfilling his promise
Nearly 100 residents of "Kozern" or Proshyan 1 cul-de-sac gathered near the presidential residence today with the demand to free them from the state of uncertainty.
In 2004, the government had recognized this district composed of 160 villas as a sale zone. According to the residents, the government doesn't have the right to destroy, repair and sell their homes, but they say there is no company selling their territory either. The residents demand that the government either destroy the homes or eliminate that decision.
"We don't know what to do," says resident of Proshyan 1 Sofia Vardanyan who has three children, but can't marry them due to poor housing conditions. According to her, the residents are denied loans because they are in the alienation zone and don't receive any notices.
"The process was supposed to end in January 2009, but nothing has been done to this day. They are tricking us," said Samvel Sargsyan.
There is neither sewerage nor water in the district. "People are using remote controls in this age, but we are still carrying buckets of water. Our sons aren't getting married due to lack of conditions. How can people's right be violated this much?" says Efrita Iskandaryan.
"When Serzh Sargsyan came to the district during the presidential elections, he promised us that the issue would be solved that year. After two years, we are still in the same situation," says Sophia Vardanyan.
The "Community and Rights" NGO is involved in protecting the residents' rights. According to the NGO chairman, he has been working with the residents for the past 4 years. "In that period, we managed to have the residents' right to property recognized. Since the deadlines are approaching, people are worried that they will not be sold," he said.
The lawyer was received at the Department of Citizens Reception and Letters and when he came out, he announced that the authorities will hold a discussion to determine what will happen next.
The residents agreed to leave the presidential residence, but assured that if the issue isn't solved, they will hold a sitting strike at the same place for a longer time.
