Social Democrat Hunchakian Party facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Social Democrat Hunchakian Party
Սոցիալ Դեմոկրատ Հնչակյան Կուսակցություն
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| Abbreviation | Henchag (SDHP) |
| Central Committee (Global) Chairman | Dr. Harry Hampartzoum Sarafian |
| Executive Committee Chairman - Armenia | Sedrak Achemyan |
| Founders | Avetis Nazarbekian, Mariam Vardanian, Gevorg Gharadjian, Ruben Khan-Azat, Christopher Ohanian, Gabriel Kafian and Manuel Manuelian |
| Founded | August 1887 |
| Headquarters | Yerevan, Armenia |
| Newspaper | see Party publications |
| Youth wing | Gaidz Youth Organization |
| Membership | 4,300 (in Armenia) |
| Ideology | Social democracy Armenian nationalism Pro-Europeanism |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| National affiliation | March 14 Alliance (in Lebanon) |
| International affiliation | None, formerly Second International |
| National Assembly of Armenia |
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| Parliament of Lebanon |
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The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) is the oldest Armenian political party that is still active today. It was started in 1887 by a group of students in Geneva, Switzerland. This party was the first socialist (meaning it believed in fairness and helping everyone) group to work in the Ottoman Empire and in Iran.
Some of its founders were Avetis Nazarbekian, Mariam Vardanian, and Gevorg Gharadjian. The party's main goal was to help Armenia become independent from the Ottoman Empire. This was part of a bigger movement to free the Armenian people.
The party is also called Hentchak or Henchak. Its name comes from its newspaper, Hunchak, which means "clarion" or "bell." Members of the party believe this name means "a call or awakening, for enlightenment and freedom."
Contents
History of the Party
The seven students who started the party were from Eastern Armenia. They were studying in Europe and were inspired by ideas of social change. They wanted to help Armenians living under Turkish rule. In August 1887, they formed the Hunchakian Revolutionary Party. Their newspaper, Hunchak, said: "Those who cannot attain freedom through revolutionary armed struggle are unworthy of it." This meant they believed in fighting for freedom.
The Hunchak party fought many battles against the Ottoman Empire. They wanted to free the Armenian people from Turkish control. Many famous thinkers joined the party, like Smpad Piurad and Stepan Sapah-Gulian. Even Andranik Ozanian, a national hero, joined for a short time.
In the early days, the Hunchakian party wanted Armenia to be a completely independent country. Another Armenian party, the Dashnaktsutyun, wanted changes within the Ottoman Empire. The Hunchakian party also published a science magazine called Gaghapar. This magazine printed "The Communist Manifesto" in Armenian for the first time.
In the Caucasus region, the Hunchakian party also played an important role. They fought against Russia's policy of trying to make everyone speak Russian. In 1903, a Hunchakian leader named Paramaz tried to assassinate the Russian governor, Grigory Golitsyn. Paramaz also helped organize self-defense groups during conflicts between Armenians and Tatars in 1905–06.
The Hunchakian party was also part of a bigger international movement for social change. They were represented at a big meeting of socialist parties in 1904.
Actions in the Ottoman Empire
In 1890, Hunchakian activists like Harutiun Jangülian led a protest in Constantinople. They demanded that the Ottoman Empire make changes in Armenian areas.
In the early 1890s, Armenians in Sason often clashed with Turkish forces. This was because the Sassontsis refused to pay old taxes to the Turkish government. In 1894, the Hunchak party organized the Sasun Resistance. Leaders like Mihran Damadian and Hambartsum Boyajian were part of this.
In 1913, Paramaz, a Hunchakian leader, suggested killing leaders of the Ittihad party. Sadly, on June 15, 1915, Paramaz and 19 other Hunchakian members were executed in Constantinople.
The party was also involved in other important events:
- Zeitun rebellion (1895–96)
- Defense of Van (1896)
- Khanasor Expedition (1897)
- Zeitun Resistance (1914–1915)
- Siege of Van (1915)
- Shabin-Karahisar uprising (1915)
First Republic of Armenia
The party helped create the First Republic of Armenia. Party members fought in the Battle of Sardarapat in 1918. This battle protected the Armenian capital, Yerevan, from the Ottoman Army.
Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic
After Armenia became part of the Soviet Union in 1921, most political parties were not allowed. So, the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party became a party mainly for Armenians living outside of Armenia (in the Armenian diaspora).
For many years, the Hunchakian party supported the Armenian Soviet Republic. This was different from another Armenian party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), which was against the Soviet government. This caused disagreements between the Hunchaks and the Dashnaks in Armenian communities around the world.
Independent Armenia
When Armenia became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991, the party became active in Armenia again. They helped with self-defense in the Zangezur region and during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The party is still active in Armenian communities worldwide.
In May 2024, members of the party met with the Armenian President in Los Angeles. They talked about important political issues, like the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. They also discussed how to work with Armenians living in the United States. The party promised to keep supporting Armenia's independence and national goals.
Activities in Lebanon
In the 1950s, the party had conflicts with the Dashnak Party in Lebanon. These tensions grew when the ARF chose a new religious leader, which the Hunchaks did not agree with.
However, as conflicts grew in Lebanon in the 1960s and 1970s, leading to the Lebanese Civil War, Armenian groups started working together. In 1972, the Hunchakian Party and the Dashnaks ran together in elections. In 2000, the Hunchakian Party joined forces with Rafik Hariri's Future Movement. A Hunchakian leader, Dr Yeghia Jerejian, was a member of the Lebanese Parliament for many years.
The party believes in a socialist way of thinking. This means they support a system where the government plans the economy to help everyone. The party competes for six special seats in the National Assembly of Lebanon that are set aside for Armenians.
What the Party Believes (Ideology)
The party calls itself a national social democratic party. This means they believe in:
- Free education and healthcare for everyone.
- Protecting human rights and ensuring equality.
- Keeping a strong democracy.
- Protecting the environment.
- Creating a local economy where power is shared.
- They also support uniting Artsakh with Armenia.
For foreign policy, the party wants Armenia to work more closely with European countries. They also want stronger ties with Georgia, Iran, China, and Japan. In November 2023, the party said it supports Armenia joining the European Union. They also want Armenia to rely less on Russia.
Election Results
The party had members in the National Assembly of Armenia in the past.
- Norair Iskhanian (1990–1995)
- Mekhak Mkhitarian (1990–1995)
- Rafael Melkonian (1990–1995)
- Yeghia Natcharian (1995–1999)
Before the 2021 Armenian election, the party joined another party's list. However, they did not win any seats. So, the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party currently does not have members in the National Assembly of Armenia. They work outside of parliament.
In June 2023, the party formed an alliance called Dignified Yerevan for local elections. They nominated Karen Sargsyan for Mayor of Yerevan. But this alliance ended before the elections.
Related Organizations
The Hunchakian party has helped create other groups:
- AEBU: This group helps with education, health, and social care.
- Dekhrouni Student & Youth Association: Started in 1952 in Beirut.
- Gaidz Youth Organization: Started in 1910 in Constantinople.
- Nor Serount Cultural Association: Started in 1954 in Beirut.
- HMM (Homenmen): An independent sports group that is closely linked to the SDHP.
Party Publications
Hunchak was the party's main newspaper. It was first published in Geneva in 1887. Its goal was to spread the message of the Armenian national movement for freedom. It also supported social democracy and workers' rights.
Today, the party publishes several newspapers and online sites:
- Ararad: A daily newspaper in Beirut, Lebanon.
- Tchahagir: A weekly newspaper in Cairo, Egypt.
- Massis: A weekly newspaper and online site in Los Angeles.
- Nor Serounti Tsayn: Published in London, UK.
- Zank: An Armenian journal in Australia.
- Loussapatz: Published monthly from Nor Serount Toronto in Canada.
Recent Developments
The party held its 20th big meeting in September 2013 in Yerevan. People from 17 countries attended.
Its 22nd big meeting happened in September 2022 in Yerevan. This was around the party's 135th anniversary. Delegates from 14 countries were there.
Important Members
- Aghasi (Karapet Ter-Sargsian)
- Alexander Atabekian
- Aram Achekbashian
- Avetis Nazarbekian
- Ghazaros Aghayan
- Girayr
- Kegham Vanigian
- Mari Beyleryan
- Medzn Mourad
- Paramaz
- Sargis Mubayeajian
- Sarkis Dkhrouni
- Smpad Piurad
- Stepan Sapah-Gulian
- Shushanik Kurghinian
See also
In Spanish: Partido Socialdemócrata Hunchak para niños
- Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
- Programs of political parties in Armenia
