About us

Founded in 1890, the program of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Hai Heghapokhakan Dashnaktsutyun) is based on social justice, democracy and national self-determination for the Armenian people.

The ARF-Dashnaktsutyun led the effort toward the establishment of the first Armenian Republic in 1918 and was the party in power for the duration of its existence. Following the Sovietization of Armenia in 1920, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun was banned by the Communists and its leadership exiled.

In the Diaspora, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun fought Soviet rule over Armenia and championed the cause of Armenian rights and independence; it played a leading role in organizing a social and cultural framework aimed at preserving the Armenian identity.

The ARF-Dashnaktsutyun officially re-emerged in Armenia during the dissolution of the USSR, in 1990.

On December 28, 1994, the activities of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun were “temporarily suspended” by the Armenian authorities. In view of the political nature of the anti-ARF interdictions by the Armenian authorities, the ARF continued to operate in Armenia. On February 9, 1998, less than a week after the resignation of the then president Ter-Petrossian, the Justice Ministry lifted the ban on the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun.

The ARF-Dashnaktsutyun is internationally recognized as a major political force both in Armenia, Karabagh and in the Armenian communities worldwide.

The Structure

Two years following its establishment, in 1892, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun adopted a decentralized form of structure, which has evolved according to the conditions of specific periods.

Presently, the organizational structure of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun is a decentralized worldwide structure, composed of organizational regions, each with grassroots local chapters. The local chapters annually elect their executive committees (Gomideh). On a regional level, at an annual or biennial regional conference composed of locally elected delegates, the regional executive committee is elected. Regional conferences also elect delegates to the ARF World Congress, which is convened once every four years. The ARF World Congress is the highest policy setting organ of the party; it adopts or modifies the party’s Program, statutes (regions decide on their regional structures), and strategy of the party. The World Congress also elects the party’s highest worldwide executive body, the Bureau. The regional conferences, guided by the strategy set forth by the World Congress, draw up their regional policies, which are executed by the regional executive bodies.

The ARF 30th World Congress was held in May 2008, in Armenia.

At all levels of the organization, there are functional committees and departments which deal with specific aspects of the organization

Policy Principles

The basic principles of the ARF strategy are:

a) The source of ARF’s strength is its ideology, its organizational structure, its individual member’s commitment, its historical past and the Armenian people;

b) The ARF is independent in its policies and practices;

c) For the ARF, authority and national leadership role are not self-serving, but rather means to resolve national and social problems;

d) For the ARF, free exchange of ideas and pluralism are basic ingredients needed to form public consensus and unity vis à vis issues of national importance;

e) The ARF values the participation of all segments of society — especially women and youth — in public life;

f) The ARF gives priority to issues of national significance as opposed to segmental and localized scope;

g) For the ARF, building of an economically prosperous, socially just and democratic state is a guarantee for Armenia’s independence and security

Foreign Policy & Strategy

Armenia-Turkey and Armenian-Turkish Relations

a) Genocide Recognition

For the last four decades, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun and its affiliates have led the worldwide efforts for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. The ARF believes that Turkish-Armenian relations cannot develop healthily so long as Turkey continues to deny the fact of the Armenian Genocide and its responsibility in that regard. The recognition by Turkey of its responsibility in the Armenian Genocide would be a minimal assurance that it would not resort to the same methods, and would lead to a mutually beneficial dialogue.

b) Blockade/Borders

The blockade enforced by Turkey against Armenia since 1993 is an expression of hostility, which has been also demonstrated by the fact that Turkey has refused to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia since Armenia’s independence in 1991. Turkey has set preconditions for lifting the blockade. The ARF’s position is that Armenia should not give in to those preconditions.

c) Armenian Rights

The geopolitical constraints Armenia faces today are a direct consequence of the Armenian Genocide and Turkish aggression against Armenia in 1920. Armenia and Armenians have their individual, collective and national rights violated by Turkey. The ARF-Dashnaktsutyun believes that Turkey should be encouraged by its allies and the international community to recognize these rights.

Karabagh (Artsakh)

Karabagh is an integral part of Armenia and the ARF has pursued its reunification with Armenia. The annexation of Karabagh to Azerbaijan was a result of arbitrary machinations by Stalin in the early 1920s and the people of Karabagh have never accepted that arrangement.

During Soviet rule, at every opportunity, and most recently in 1988, the majority of the Karabagh population had peacefully raised their quest for reunification with Armenia; Azerbaijan responded by violence not only in Karabagh, but all over Azerbaijan. In Karabagh, Armenians defended themselves and in 1991, declared the formation of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic.

A just and lasting resolution of the Karabagh conflict should guarantee security and viability for Karabagh and Armenia. Eventually, the de facto reunification with Armenia should be granted de jure recognition. Attaining this recognition is a priority for the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun.

Javakhk and Georgia

Another region of major concern for the ARF is the historically Armenian region of Javakhk (Samtskhe-Javakheti) in Georgia. Successive ARF World Congresses, attaching great importance to close Georgian-Armenian relations, have adopted a pragmatic approach to the resolution of political, socio-economic and cultural problems facing the Armenians of Javakhk.

ARF World Congresses have agreed with the demands raised by the Armenians of Javakhk that a Javakhk with a high degree of self-government within a federal Georgia would be able to sustain itself and would become a strong link in Georgian-Armenian relations.