Democracy, Rule of Law… and Reckless Driving
Some might consider their actions “soft,” but in recent weeks the new HENQ youth movement has made it clear that that for Armenia to become a democratic rule of law country means more than concessions from the government whoever the president might be. Not only is it up to citizens to understand what democracy and the concept of State means, but they must also abide by the rule of law.
Unfortunately, society in Armenia isn’t there yet by a long shot, and one of the clearest examples of this can be seen every day on Armenian roads. It’s Very European to Stand… has more.
Even with a green crossing signal in Armenia, cars that are making right and left turns can still come in your direction and they will NOT stop for you. Or rather, they’ll stop for you when their bumper is a few centimeters from your kneecap. The kind of distance where your life flashes before your eyes just as you feel that homicidal tendency coming on - a desire to take the driver who’s about to hit you and smash his head through his own windshield. Then, suddenly, you stop, or you let the driver pass and it’s all over.
It might amuse many in Armenia — including those who otherwise profess to giving a damn about democracy and the rule of law while instead ridiculing anyone abiding by the latter — but HENQ make a point of crossing at zebra crossings in Yerevan and only when the green man is lit up. Nevertheless, car drivers still act recklessly and refuse to give way to anyone crossing legally.
Interestingly, this problem was also the purpose of another action by another youth group two years ago, as Tamar Palandjian (aka Akhtamar) explained.
Yet here’s another problem- now, as we pedestrians are trying to cross the streets on the designated pedestrian crosswalks when the green light is lit for the pedestrians to walk – we can’t even cross the street! So some of us tend to jaywalk every once in a while ( I myself am guilty!) but the fact of the matter is, you are going to want to cross the street WHENEVER you have the opportunity to because if you don’t, you will either wait 4 hours or get hit by a car.
It might sound simplistic, but it’s food for thought. How can Armenia become a democratic and rule of law country if citizens, civil society groups as well as the opposition and government refuse to enforce, obey or understand either? It’s worth noting, for example, that now the traffic police has improved somewhat, many motorists still try to bribe law enforcement officials rather than pay an official and heftier fine.
Corruption and lawlessness isn’t just a matter which manifests itself amongst the past and present authorities, it permeates throughout the entire spectrum of local society and it needs to change on an individual as well as collective level.
Nothing will change until society understands that, in my opinion, and so I welcome Tamar’s past activities in this area and hope that HENQ can continue the basic aim. That is, instead of complaining about corruption and the lack of the rule of law in other areas of life, citizens should examine their own responsibilities and lives. As it is, society is a reflection of the authorities and vice-versa.
Until that changes, and this stretches as far as corruption in the education, medical and NGO sectors as well as the government, nothing else will. The situation in Armenia today is the result of a local mindset which desperately needs to change. Unfortunately, it will take generations to do so. Hopefully, actions by HENQ and others can be the start of that process.
- Published:
- 08.05.08 / 2am by Onnik
- Category:
- Armenia, Blogs, Corruption, Democracy, HENQ, Issues, Legislation, News Briefs, Opinion, Police, Society, Youth
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