Hima calls to punish officials contributing to exodus from Armenia
Hima (Now) youth initiative calls for the immediate termination of "Compatriots" program introduced by the Federal Migration Service of Russia, which, according to the initiative, promotes migration flows from Armenia to Russia.
Hima demands that the Armenian authorities immediately halt discussions with their Russian counterparts and close the Armenian Office of the Russian Migration Service which threatens the national security of Armenia. The initiative also demands to punish the officials who have demonstrated indifference and contributed to the exodus of Armenians.
The Russian Migration Service has been operating in Armenia since 1997. About 711 families (2000 people) have left Armenia since 2007 within the framework of the Russian program.
The program launched in 2006 offers Armenians easy conditions for permanent residence in Russia. Program participants are assigned a job in 26 regions of Russia (especially in outlying regions), a lump sum payment depending on resettlement location and occupation, as well as Russian citizenship within a few months.
