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03/24/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ARF Lebanon Condemns Recent Attacks against Population 2) Amnesty International Voices Concern about New Turkish Penal Code 3) Russia's Putin in Armenia 4) Armenia's Customs Chief Survives Bomb Blast 5) Kyrgyzstan Uprising Forces President to Flee 6) Pascal Message of the Armenian Catholic Exarch 1) ARF Lebanon Condemns Recent Attacks against Population BEIRUT--In a strongly worded statement issued on March 25, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee of Lebanon condemned the violent outpour that has rocked the country in recent weeks, ending over a decade of relative peace following a debilitating fifteen year civil war. Criticizing the bombings and shootings that have occurred since the February 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the statement called for an immediate end to acts such as the March 23 bombing of the Alta Vista Shopping Center of Kaslik. "We reaffirm our stance on this issue, and condemn the detrimental position of those who believe that acts of terror aimed against a peaceful Lebanese population will help address the country's political problems," the ARF statement noted. "The abuse of internal political issues in an attempt to create an unsafe and unstable environment is totally unacceptable to us. "Abhorrent acts of violence can only serve to further aggravate the political divisions that exist in Lebanon. We reject any attempt that endangers the country's internal security and endangers its economic stability. "We call on the people of Lebanon to stand with us in solidarity against any act that threatens the well-being of this country and its population," the statement concluded. 2) Amnesty International Voices Concern about New Turkish Penal Code In recent days, various press groups and professional bodies in Turkey have articulated their concerns regarding the new Penal Code, due to come into effect on April 1, and called on the government to urgently review the new law which they believe will restrict press freedom. Amnesty International has joined in these concerns and urged the government to take further steps in bringing Turkish law into line with international human rights law and standards related to freedom of expression. (AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL)--In a public statement, Amnesty International addresses Turkey's new Penal Code, noting that though it has introduced many positive changes--most notably in the removal of gender-discriminatory articles--it still contains numerous restrictions on fundamental rights. The statement says that some provisions, which the authorities had used before to breach international standards related to freedom of expression, were carried over from the old Penal Code. For example, Article 159 which criminalized acts that "insult or belittle" various state institutions--and which Amnesty International has repeatedly called for to be abolished--reappears as Article 301 of the new Penal Code in the section entitled "Crimes against symbols of the states sovereignty and the honor of its organs" (Articles 299--301). Amnesty International is concerned that this section could be used to criminalize legitimate expression of dissent and opinion. In other cases, new articles have been introduced which appear to introduce new restrictions to fundamental rights. For example, Article 305 of the new Penal Code criminalizes "acts against the fundamental national interest." The written explanation attached to the draft, when the law passed through Parliament, provided as examples of crimes such acts as "making propaganda for the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from Cyprus or for the acceptance of a settlement in this issue detrimental to Turkey...or, contrary to historical truths, that the Armenians suffered a genocide after the First World War." Amnesty International considers that the imposition of a criminal penalty for any such statements--unless intended or likely to incite imminent violence--would be a clear breach of international standards related to freedom of expression. Many of the provisions in the new law envisage higher sentences if the "crime" has been perpetrated through the press and raise the possibility of custodial sentences for journalists. Chair of the Press Council Oktay Eksi has evaluated the new law as "an unfortunate reversal from the point of freedom of expression and of the press." BACKGROUND The new Penal Code was presented by the government as a less restrictive and democratic piece of legislation and hastily passed by Parliament in September 2004 as a result of pressure from the European Union. This pressure appears to have resulted in insufficient consultation with members of civil society, such as press and human rights groups, and may have contributed to the continuing problems in the law. Amnesty International is also concerned about aspects of the Penal Code which are related to areas other than freedom of expression. For example, Article 122 of the draft of the new Penal Code, which forbids discrimination on the basis of "language, race, color, gender, political thought, philosophical belief, religion, denomination and other reasons," was amended at the last moment so that "sexual orientation" was removed from the draft. The organization is concerned that discrimination on the basis of sexuality was not criminalized in the new law. In addition, Amnesty International is concerned that the statute of limitations still applies in trials in which individuals are accused of torture. While the new law has extended this time limit, trials against alleged torturers are frequently deliberately delayed and subsequently dropped through this provision, thereby contributing towards a climate of impunity. Given the frequency with which this happens and the status of torture as a peremptory norm of general international law, Amnesty International considers that there should be no statute of limitations for the crime of torture. Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. Its mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights. Amnesty International is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights. 3) Russia's Putin in Armenia YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrived in Armenia late Thursday on a brief working visit which, according to Armenian officials, will cement the close relationship between the two allies. Putin will meet with President Robert Kocharian on Thursday to discuss mostly economic issues, notably Russian-Armenian cooperation in the energy sector, according to a Kremlin official cited by the Russian Itar-Tass news agency. Further development of bilateral military ties will also be on the agenda, the official said. It is unclear whether the two plan to sign any agreements. The Armenian side is expected to again raise its concerns about the implementation of a 2002 swap agreement that settled Yerevan's $100 million debt to Russia. Armenian officials have repeatedly complained that the Russians are slow in revitalizing the five Armenian enterprises that were handed over to them in payment for the debt. 4) Armenia's Customs Chief Survives Bomb Blast YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--A car belonging to the chief of the Armenian customs Armen Avetisian, was rocked by an explosion early on Thursday in what law-enforcement authorities see as a botched attempt on the influential official's life. President Robert Kocharian called an emergency meeting of his top law-enforcement officials, asking them to take "all necessary measures to solve the incident," and keep him informed about the course of the investigation. The blast occurred outside the building in downtown Yerevan housing the State Customs Committee just minutes after Avetisian entered his office. Investigators said an explosive device was planted under a tree next to which his car was parked. The car was not seriously damaged. An aide to Avetisian and another customs official who stood nearby were said to have sustained minor injuries. Still, residents of nearby apartment buildings said the blast was powerful. The chief of the Armenian police Hayk Harutiunian, and the first deputy head of the National Security Hrachya Harutiunian, personally inspected the scene but declined to comment on the incident. "Nothing is known yet," the head of Yerevan's police department Nerses Nazarian, told reporters. He said Avetisian has told investigators that he does suspect anyone of seeking to assassinate him. The Office of Prosecutor-General launched criminal proceedings under an article of Armenia's Criminal Code that deals with attempted assassinations of senior government officials and public figures. The Customs Committee also characterized the explosion as an attempt on Avetisian's life in a statement issued later on Thursday. The statement attributed it to a crackdown on smuggling and tax evasion announced by the authorities earlier this year. "To all those who hope to weaken the committee leadership's will to fight against the shadow [economy] with such terrorist acts we find it necessary to say that the State Customs Committee will continue to be consistent in identifying violations of customs rules," it said. Prime Minister Andranik Markarian also condemned the blast as he opened a weekly cabinet meeting. "Nobody should hope that they can hamper the work of the bodies collecting state revenues with such actions," he said. The crackdown was announced after Kocharian's high-profile meetings with the management of the customs and tax agencies. In particular, Kocharian decried widespread corruption among customs officials, accusing them of helping large-scale importers avoid taxes in return for kickbacks. 5) Kyrgyzstan Uprising Forces President to Flee --Parliament elects interim leader; protesters seize state-run TV BISHKEK (AP)--President Askar Akayev fled Kyrgyzstan on Thursday after protesters stormed his headquarters, seized control of state television, and rampaged through government offices, throwing computers and air conditioners out of windows. A leading opponent of the Akayev regime, Felix Kulov, was freed from prison and praised the "revolution made by the people." Kulov said Akayev had signed a letter of resignation, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. Members of the parliament--that was in power before February's disputed election--met Thursday night and elected former opposition lawmaker Ishenbai Kadyrbekov as the country's interim president. Sitting in Akayev's chair surrounded by supporters, another opposition activist, Ulan Shambetov, praised the latest uprising to sweep a former Soviet republic. The takeover of government buildings in Bishkek followed similar seizures by opposition activists in southern Kyrgyzstan, including the second-largest city, Osh. Those protests began even before the first round of parliamentary elections on Feb. 27 and swelled after March 13 runoffs that the opposition said were seriously flawed. Another opposition leader, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, appeared on state TV and declared: "Akayev is no longer on the territory of Kyrgyzstan." Bakiyev also said the prime minister had resigned but that those in charge of the Security, Interior and Defense ministries were working with the opposition. The whereabouts of Akayev, who ruled Kyrgyzstan for 15 years, were not clear. The Interfax news agency, without citing sources, said Akayev had flown to Russia but later said he had landed in Kazakhstan. 6) Pascal Message of the Armenian Catholic Exarch The Feast of Victory The resurrection of Jesus is the central event of Christianity and the basic truth of our faith. It is true that without the nativity of Christ we would not have the Messiah, the Savior of the world. But if the Gospels had ended with the end of Jesus' life by his death, all the content of the Gospels would have vanished. The message of salvation of Christ would not have had any sense, because it was based on the affirmation that he was the master of life and death, and specifically the eternal death, which is the result of sin. All the preaching of the apostles, especially that of St. Paul who developed the teaching of Christ in his epistles, is based on the certitude that Jesus has triumphantly risen from the sepulcher. The angels who announced the resurrection said to the women, the first visitors to the tomb, "Why are you searching the living amidst the dead? He is not here, he has risen!" Departing from this event that became an evidence for all the followers of Christ, we have been celebrating for twenty centuries the resurrection of Jesus. If Christmas is for us the feast of joy, Easter is the feast of victory. If Jesus has triumphed over death, we also will triumph over it, and we will share his glory. So that when we are submitted to trials and sufferings of life, we have strong conviction that all this will have a happy end. No suffering can be senseless or overcome our faith, for we share the suffering of Jesus who has predicted it as a precondition of the success of his mission as the savior of mankind. Concerning the credibility of resurrection, some argue that it is based on a negative evidence: the empty tomb. Could we deduct from it, they say, that Jesus really has risen alive from dead or that his body was not fraudulently took away by the disciples? This is a nonsense, when we know from the Gospels that these poor men were so despaired of the tragic end of Jesus's life that, terrified and disoriented, they escaped one after the other, not ever daring to accompany him during his passion and crucifixion. Yet, after the resurrection became a certitude for them, they were radically transformed, they proclaimed it courageously, and witnessed it at the cost of their lives, shedding their blood for it. Who would sacrifice his life for a phantasm or a legend? We are not asked today, but in exceptional circumstances, to shed our blood to testify to the resurrection of Christ. Yet we are called to proclaim it in sometime difficult conditions: when we have to respect our engagement as followers of Christ, in the face of enemies of our faith who despise or deride it, or when we must make critical choices between our interests and our spiritual and moral convictions, or when we are asked to sacrifice our time or goods for the improvement and growth of the Church's mission. As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ with all Christianity, we must consider our own resurrection as the fruit of his resurrection. Not as a historical glorious event belonging to the past, but as a permanent presence in our daily life, inspiring our acts and thoughts, guiding our steps and our decisions according to the plans God has for each of us, until our final victory on sin and death. Christ has risen from the dead. Let us share the joy and hope of all who share our faith! Bishop Manuel Batakian Armenian Catholic Exarch in United States All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress