Moving To Winter Time

MOVING TO WINTER TIME

A1+
[09:16 pm] 23 October, 2008

Clocks move back an hour on October 26 at 3:00 a.m., told "A1+"
the press service of the Ministry of Economy. This change is in
accordance to the law on the order of estimating time in Armenia,
which was approved on December 10, 1997.

This time change takes place in 122 countries and the first change was
made in 1906 with the initiative of Washington. Although Georgia is
our neighboring country, Armenia has an hour difference. In reality,
our hours must be the same as Georgia because Georgia, Armenia and
Moscow are all in the third time zone. But according to the new NA law,
Armenia has moved on to the 4th time zone.

Clocks will be moved one hour ahead for the summer on the last Sunday
in March in Armenia.

Armenia’s Champion Fails

ARMENIA’S CHAMPION FAILS

A1+
[12:36 pm] 23 October, 2008

The 2008 European chess championship is drawing to an end in
Calitea. There were high expectations for Armenia’s champion "Mika",
which was represented with a strong team in the tournament, but
lost the chance to move up to the top one match before the end of
the championship.

In the 6th tournament "Mika" faced off with the Russian "Saransk",
which placed 7th in the competition. Out of the 6 games, "Mika"
won 5 and one of them was a tie. Levon Aronian and Gabriel Sargsian
celebrated their victories, whiel Magnus Carlsen, Bahadur Jobava and
Tigran Petrosian lost to their competitors and Boris Gelfand scored
half a point.

Former Armenian champion "Bankayin Arka" scored over the Hungarian
"Haladas" team with 3:5:2:5. Ashot Anastasian and Artashes Minasian
also won in the games. "Bankayin Arka" scored another eight points,
but placed 11th with 24 points.

FIMA lost to the Austrian "Advisori Invest" team by 2:5:3:5 and is
currently at 28th with 6 points. The list is headed by the German
"Baden-Baden" team, followed by the Russian "Ural" and "Saransk",
the Ukrainian "Kiev", the Bosnian "Bosna" and the German "Miulheim
Nord". In the women’s games "Mika" won 4:0 in the game against the
Lithuanian "Panevechus". After this game, the Armenian team is at
8th place with 7 points.

ANTELIAS: HH Aram I meets with Armenofas officials in Switzerland

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH THE HEADS OF ARMENOFAS

His Holiness Aram I held a working meeting with the heads of Armenofas in
Switzerland on October 22.

Armenofas is a fund created by the efforts of the Protestant Churches of
Switzerland and the Armenian Church, Catholicosate of Cilicia. The main
capital for the fund is formed of the money collected by the union of
Armenophiles and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. In the past decades the
income of this fund was largely dedicated to the Armenian elderly home in
Kokinia (Greece).

His Holiness and the Central National Committee believe that the fund should
continue to exist regardless of its financial aspect, a) as an expression of
collective memory; b) as a symbol of the friendship between the Swiss and
Armenian nations as well as the Swiss and Armenian Churches and particularly
the Catholicosate of Cilicia; c) as a symbol of the Swiss nation’s support
for the Armenian nation.

The Pontiff and the Central National Committee are also of the opinion that
the fund, currently under formation with new income sources, should widen
its field of social service. His Holiness Aram I and the heads of the
Armenofas Fund will continue their consultations with the aim of reaching
specific conclusions by the end of the year.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Arme
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org

Yerevan Press Club Weekly Newsletter – 10/23/2008

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 17-23, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": THE ROLE OF NGOs IN PUBLIC COUNCIL FORMATION
AND THE PROBLEM OF LAKE SEVAN

COVERAGE OF URGENT ISSUES DURING ELECTIONS TO THE LOCAL SELF-ADMINISTRATION
BODIES

MEETING OF HEADS OF THE MEDIA JOINING THE SELF-REGULATION INITIATIVE

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE INITIATES A NEW DRAFT LAW ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE AGAINST

REFUTATION DEMANDED FROM "ARAVOT" DAILY

VARDENIS POLICE INSTITUTED CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS FOR IMPEDING OF JOURNALIST’S
WORK

LITIGATION OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" FOUNDER VERSUS KENTRON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
OF ELDERLY REFUSED

NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC TELEVISION BY BBC WORLD SERVICE TRUST PUBLISHED

RSF INDEX: ONLY PEACE GUARANTEES PRESS FREEDOM

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": THE ROLE OF NGOs IN PUBLIC COUNCIL FORMATION
AND THE PROBLEM OF LAKE SEVAN

On October 22 another show of "Press Club" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media" TV company. It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the
Open Society Institute Human Rights and Governance Grants Program. The
guests of the President of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression,
Ashot Melikian, were Director of "Political Economy" Research Institute
Andranik Tevanian, founder of the Institute of Human Rights and Democracy
Armine Arakelian and the Chairman of National Youth Council of Armenia Aram
Sukiasian. "Press Club" participants continued the discussion on Public
Council initiated during the previous program (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
October 10-16, 2008). The perspectives of the Public Council that is being
created by the initiative of RA President, were considered in the context of
the role of NGOs in its formation.

The next program of "Press Club" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Wednesday, October 29, at 23.00.

On October 18 another show of "Press Club+" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media". It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the Embassy of
Great Britain in Armenia. The "Press Club+" host, YPC President Boris
Navasardian, and the program guests, Vice President of "Sevan" national park
Nikolay Simonian and Academic Secretary of Hydroecology and Ichthyology
Institute of RA National Academy of Science Evelina Ghukasian discussed the
problem of Lake Sevan from the aspect of elections to local
self-administration bodies. The audience composed of representatives of NGOs
and media of Gegharkunik region also participated in the discussion.

The next program of "Press Club+" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, October 25, at 17.40.

COVERAGE OF URGENT ISSUES DURING ELECTIONS TO THE LOCAL SELF-ADMINISTRATION
BODIES

On October 16-18 a seminar "Coverage of Problems of Public Importance during
the 2008 Elections to the Local Self-Administration Bodies in Armenia" took
place in Aghveran. The event was organized by Yerevan Press Club with
support of Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Seminar participants, representatives of media and journalistic associations
of Armenia, discussed such questions as the role of local
self-administration institute in political structure of the country,
cooperation of media and civil society during the elections to the local
self-administration bodies, Armenian electoral legislation and the practice
of election coverage, as well as regional media activities. Also,
preliminary results (for September) of the monitoring of eleven Armenian TV
channels coverage on urgent issues during the elections to the local
self-administration bodies were presented. The research is administrated by
YPC in September-October 2008 under the project supported by the Embassy of
Great Britain in Armenia. Seminar participants also were introduced another
research conducted by YPC in September 2008 – monitoring of seven Armenian
print media coverage of urgent issues during the elections to the local
self-administration bodies. The study was realized under the YPC project,
with the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

MEETING OF HEADS OF THE MEDIA JOINING THE SELF-REGULATION INITIATIVE

On October 18-19 in Aghveran a meeting took place among the members of Media
Ethics Observatory and heads of the media that supported Yerevan Press Club
initiative and signed the Code of Conduct of Media Representatives and the
Declaration on Election and Referendum Coverage Principles on March 10, 2007
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 9-15, 2007). At present, these documents
were signed by 31 media. 8 journalistic associations also support the
initiative.

Current year’s MEO activities were introduced at the meeting. The mission of
this self-regulation body consists in the consideration of complaints and
appeals regarding the violations of the Code of Conduct and making judgments
on these. Participants also discussed precedents on professional ethics
violations, and some other issues.

The event was organized by YPC with support of the Open Society Institute.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE INITIATES A NEW DRAFT LAW ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE AGAINST

On October 23 discussion of draft law "On Freedom of Imparting Information"
developed by RA Ministry of Justice took place in the Academic Centre of
Ecological Right of the Yerevan State University Law Department.
Representatives of journalistic associations, also Yerevan Press Club, and
international organizations participated in the discussion.

Artak Gevorgian, Chief of the State Legal Department of Legal Acts
Assessment of RA Ministry of Justice, who introduced the draft law, pointed
out that the new document is called to replace the acting Law "On Freedom of
Information". Artak Gevorgian motivates it by the necessity to bring the
legislation in accordance to the amended Constitution. In particular, the
procedure of registration, classification and archiving of the information
processed by the owner of the information or imparted for him, is not
developed yet, as well as the procedure of providing duplicates (copies) of
information by state institutions and organizations, local
self-administration bodies. These requirements are stipulated by Articles 5
and 10 of the Law "On Freedom of Information", respectively. And even if the
relevant subordinate acts are developed for the acting Law "On Freedom of
Information", they, in the opinion of the representative of Justice
Ministry, can contradict to the Constitution.

Such an approach arose objections among discussion participants. They
stressed that the acting Law "On Freedom of Information" (adopted in
September 2003) is one of the few progressive documents that are highly
appraised by the international experts, and have proved their value on
practice. Regarding the necessity of developing and approving the by-laws in
accordance to the requests of Articles 5 and 10 of the Law (this obligation
was put on the government), the journalistic community has been reminding
about that for 5 years. And at present there are no obstacles for developing
necessary legislative amendments and procedures that will not contradict to
the Constitution, with the participation of the interested parties. The
journalistic associations expressed their readiness to participate in the
improvement of the acting Law and in the development of its by-laws.
Representatives of the Justice Ministry, in their turn, promised to
introduce the results of the discussion and the approaches of the
professional associations to their management.

REFUTATION DEMANDED FROM "ARAVOT" DAILY

On October 21 Civil Court of Yerevan started hearings of the case of Arthur
Ghevondian, RA police officer, versus "Aravot" daily. The plaintiff demands
to induce the newspaper to publish a refutation of the information in the
article "If Your Neighbor is a Policeman" ("Aravot", June 25, 2008) by Ruzan
Minasian, Correspondent of the daily. In the opinion of Arthur Ghevondian,
this article discredits his honor and reputation. The publication is devoted
to the court session on dispute between Arthur Ghevondian and his neighbors
regarding an annex on the roof of building. Litigation proceeding on this
case goes on for more than a year already.

During the session on October 21 the defendant motioned that the plaintiff
point out specific words or expressions in the article considered by him as
discrediting his honor and reputation. The court provided the plaintiff time
for getting prepared and scheduled the next session for October 30.

As Ruzan Minasian told YPC, she also intends to apply to the Media Ethics
Observatory to receive a professional judgment on the publication that
became the subject of trial.

VARDENIS POLICE INSTITUTED CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS FOR IMPEDING OF JOURNALIST’S
WORK

On October 20 "Hetq" on line informed that the Police of Vardenis
(Gegharkunik region) instituted criminal proceedings on Article 164
("Impeding the Legitimate Professional Activities of Journalist") on the
incident of July 29, 2008 that took place in Geghamabak village. On that day
"Hetq" Correspondent Sara Petrosian and "Kyavar" TV company cameraman
Vardges Khachatrian (Gavar, Gegharkunik region) arrived at Geghamabak to get
the material on the situation in the community after the elections of
village administration head on June 22, 2008. Gagik Barseghian, occupying
that position for last 9 years, was elected again. As Sara Petrosian told
YPC, after meeting the head of village administration, the journalists
talked to the village dwellers and then sat into a car willing to meet the
village head and receive his comments regarding the complaints of the
villagers. But the way of the car was blocked by a group of community people
leaded by Victor Barseghian, father of the village head. The latter, as the
journalist mentioned, started to threaten her and the cameraman and tried to
drag them through the open windows of the car. The journalists were forced
to stop their work and leave the village. Sara Petrosian said that stones
were thrown on their departing car.

The proceeding on the incident was instituted by Vardenis Police on October
10 versus a group of Geghamabak villagers, including Victor Barseghian,
father of the village head.

LITIGATION OF FOUNDER OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" VERSUS KENTRON COMMUNITY
COUNCIL OF ELDERLY REFUSED

On October 17 RA Administrative Court refused the litigation of LLC
"Dareskizb", founder of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily, versus Council of Elderly
of Kentron community of Yerevan. As it has been reported, the plaintiff
demanded to find invalid the resolution of the Kentron community Council of
Elderly of March 28, 2008, according to which the future renting of the
premises occupied by "Haykakan Zhamanak" had to be annulled (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, October 10-16, 2008)

NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC TELEVISION BY BBC WORLD SERVICE TRUST PUBLISHED

On October 17 presentation of report "Needs Assessment of Armenia’s Public
Television Company" prepared by the BBC World Service Trust, took place in
Yerevan. The research was commissioned by OSCE Office in Yerevan and
conducted on July 14-18, 2008.

"Public television should raise its ambitions in providing programming of a
broadly educational nature that would serve to the interests of different
groups of the community", said during the presentation of the report one of
its authors, Michael Randall, Projects Manager for Europe and CIS at the BBC
World Service Trust (cited from the press release of OSCE Office in
Yerevan). He also stressed that strengthening of PTA public "heavily relies
on political will and change in attitude at the government level".

Authors of the report particularly recommend to the Public Television of
Armenia to create a long-term consultancy program for development of new
programs and reorganization of working methods.

Full report in Armenian and English can be found on OSCE web-site:

RSF INDEX: ONLY PEACE GUARANTEES PRESS FREEDOM

On October 22 "Reporters Without Borders" international organization
released its seventh annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index. The study was
conducted in 173 countries and based on events between September 1, 2007 and
September 1, 2008. RSF index was compiled by surveying 18 partner
organizations and 130 correspondents of RSF, as well as journalists,
researchers, lawyers and human rights activists. The respondents were
assessing the press freedom in each country with a questionnaire compiled by
RSF and including 49 criteria: ranging from various forms of pressure on
journalists and media to legislative restrictions, the behavior of
authorities towards the state-owned media and foreign press. It also
includes the degree of impunity enjoyed by those responsible for press
freedom violations.

It is not economic prosperity but peace that guarantees press freedom. That
is the main lesson to be drawn from "Reporters Without Borders" study. Thus
democratic countries embroiled in wars outside their territory have a very
different approach to freedom of speech inside and outside their country.
This can be noticed from the example of USA and Israel that received two RSF
ranking indices each. By domestic ranking USA shared 36-41 lines, while its
extra-territorial ranking is 119. Israel occupied lines 46 and 149,
accordingly. Consequences of war affected other countries as well decreasing
their ranks dramatically. While several emerging countries not engaged in
wars, especially in Africa and the Caribbean, give better and better
guarantees for media freedom. Among other factors defining the state of
press freedom, the study particularly points out corruption and political
hatred.

Another important conclusion is that the international community’s conduct
towards authoritarian regimes is not effective enough to change the
situation. This refers to China (167th in RSF index), Cuba (169) and three
more countries – Turkmenistan (171), North Korea (172) and Eritrea (173) –
occupying the bottom ranks, similarly to the previous RSF study (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, October 12-18, 2007).

The first places of the RSF index were shared by Iceland, Luxemburg and
Norway. In general, European countries prevail in the top twenty: they got
18 positions together with Canada and New Zealand. All European Union
countries made into the top 60.

Of the former USSR countries the most benign is the situation in Estonia
(4-6), Latvia (7-12) and Lithuania (16-19). At a significant distance these
are followed by Ukraine (87), Moldova (98), Armenia (102-103, sharing with
Turkey), Tajikistan (106), Kyrgyzstan (111-112), Georgia (120), Kazakhstan
(125). Even lower ranks are occupied by Russia (141), Azerbaijan (150),
Belarus (154), and Uzbekistan (162). Among those only Ukraine, Russia and
Tajikistan slightly improved their positions, as compared to the previous
RSF study, Kazakhstan’s rating remains the same, while in the rest of the
CIS countries regress is registered.

RSF study stresses deterioration of the situation in the Caucasus since last
year, in particular, in Armenia going down by 25 ranks (it had 77th line in
the previous index), and Georgia going down by 54 ranks (66th line in the
previous index). Both countries, as outlined by the "Reporters Without
Borders", "had major problems and introduced states of emergency". Besides,
several journalists fell victim to the sudden outbreak of war in Georgia,
RSF stresses.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

www.osce.org/yerevan/
www.ypc.am

Casualties among foreign migrants in Russia in 2008

Moscow Bureau for Human Rights
115455 Moscow, Russia, p/o box 6
telfax 7 (495)670-69-75, 7(495)506-02-24
E-mail: [email protected]

Director of Moscow Bureau for Human Rights
Alexander Brod
In case of reprinting reference to Moscow Bureau for Human Rights is
obligatory

23 October 2008

Xenophobia manifestations: January – October 2008

Review of Moscow bureau for human rights

During the period since January till October 15, 2008 250 attacks at least
based upon xenophobia were recorded and 112 deceased and 337 victims at
least were their result.

According to the data of the Ministry of home affairs announced on September
23, 250 crimes of extremist character were recorded since the beginning of
the year. On October 8 representatives of Investigatory committee of the
office of public prosecutor of RF announced that since the beginning of the
year 380 crimes of extremist orientation were recorded in Russia, and 322 of
them were already disclosed.

The largest number of attacks was committed in Moscow and Moscow region (48
deceased, 162 victims at least), they are followed by St. Petersburg and
Leningrad region (19 deceased, 35 victims at least), Sverdlovsk region (6
deceased, 8 victims), Yaroslavl (4 deceased), Ulyanovsk region (3 deceased,
3 victims), Ingushetia (2 deceased, 3 victims), Omsk (2 deceased, 2
victims), Novosibirsk (2 deceased), Dagestan (1 deceased, 23 victims at
least), Voronezh (1 deceased, 16 victims at least), Nizhni Novgorod region
(2 deceased, 4 victims), Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky, Udmurtia (by 1 deceased and 3
victims), Stavropol, Tula, Chelyabinsk region (by 1 deceased and 2 victims),
Togliatti, Obninsk and Saratov region (by 1 deceased and 1 victim), Kaluga
region (1 deceased). Nalchik (29 victims at least), Bryansk (14 victims),
Vladivostok (13 victims), Lipetsk (8 victims at least), Kazan, Kaliningrad
(by 6 victims), Ryazan region (5 victims), Republic of North Ossetia, Ufa
(by 4 victims), Arkhangelsk region (3 victims), Republic of Chuvashia, Amur,
Tver, Volgograd and Vladimir regions (by 2 victims), Kursk, Penza,
Pervouralsk, Oryol, Yaroslavl, Novgorod region, Rostov-on-Don, Republic of
Kalmykia, Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, Vologda, Tambov (by 1 victim).

The following were attacked most often: Uzbeks (17 deceased, 22 victims),
Kirghizes (10 deceased, 5 victims), Tajiks (9 deceased, 35 victims),
Russians (8 deceased, 34 victims), Azerbaijanians (7 deceased, 23 victims),
Armenians (4 deceased, 3 victims), Dagestans (2 deceased, 26 victims at
least), Chechens (2 deceased, 22 victims), Kalmyks (2 deceased, 6 victims at
least), Ingushes (2 deceased, 4 victims), Turks (2 deceased, 1 victim),
Gypsies (2 deceased), Chineses (1 deceased, 13 victims), Moldavians,
Germans, Tuvinians (by 1 deceased), natives of the countries of Near East
and North Africa (12 victims), Indians (4 victims), Koreans, Jews (by 3
victims), Englishmen, Mongols, Georgians (by 2 victims), Kazakhs (2
victims).

During the period since January till October 15, 2008 145 persons were
convicted for manifestations of aggressive xenophobia. At the same time 7
persons were sentenced to correctional works, 5 – to imprisonment in
colony-settlement, 36 – to conditional imprisonment, 3 – got the terms of
imprisonment up to 1 year, 26 – from 1 to 5 years, 36 – from 5 to 10 years,
7 – from 10 to 15 years, 4 – from 15 to 20 years and five people else were
sentenced to life imprisonment.

During first two weeks of October eight attacks were recorded, and 4
deceased and 7 victims were their results.

Early in October a group of citizens of Uzbekistan was beaten in suburban
electric train in Vladivostok. One of the victims got 5 knife wounds.

On October 7 a citizen of Chinese People’s republic was beaten in
Vladivostok.

On October 11 night a citizen of Uzbekistan was killed in Moscow.

On October 12 an attack was committed at two citizens of Tajikistan in the
center of Moscow; they both got knife wounds and died because of the wounds
later, and on October 12 an Azerbaijanian was wounded in electric train near
Moscow.

In October an attempt of use of "Kondopoga political technology" was also
recorded. The rape and murder of 15-year-old A. Beshnova committed in the
Western district of Moscow became the cause for nationalistic hysteria on
the part of the ultra-rights. Though the case it not yet investigated, the
nationalists accused two Dagestans of the crime at once and arranged an
unapproved meeting. Some of agitator-nationalists were arrested.

Within the election campaign to the regional Legislative assembly in
Kemerovo region in September 2008 local mass media accented the attention
negatively that No. 2 in the list of CPRF D. Kochadze in an ethnic Georgian.

Early in October the leaflets were thrown about in the village Ardy of
Kilemarsky district of the Republic of Mariy El; in the opinion of
investigators, they were directed at kindling of hate between Russians and
Caucasians.

Early in October xenophobe inscriptions appeared in Vladivostok.

On October 4 an Orthodox Christian cross was destroyed and desecrated at
Staropanovsky cemetery in Leningrad region.

On October 6 a motorcar with explosives parked beside the mosque was
neutralized in St. Petersburg.

On October 10 the anti-Christian inscriptions were written upon the Orthodox
Christian Assumption temple in Voronezh, and in Kaliningrad the old Jewish
cemetery was desecrated.

On October 12 night the unknown people set fire to a bell tower on the
territory of the church of Nativity of the Virgin in Sovetsky district of
Novosibirsk.

During the first half of October 7 people were convicted for the crimes
based upon xenophobia (5 of them got conditional punishment, 1 was sentenced
to imprisonment in colony-settlement, 1 – was sent to a prison).

On October 1 an accusation was preferred to five inhabitants of Dzerzhinsk
accused of murder of a student from Tajikistan.

On October 3 Leninsky district court of Novosibirsk sentenced the former
militiaman Alexander Budnikov to two years of conditional imprisonment for
public appeals to extremist activity: placement of anti-Semitic orientation
articles in Internet.

On October 8 an accusation was preferred in Orenburg to 5 skin-heads who
beat "non-Russians" and placed video-records in Internet.

On October 8 the procedure started in Central district court of Khabarovsk
on the case of the leader of regional branch of "Union of Russian people"
(SRN) Pavel Onopriyenko and press-secretary of the branch Viktor Chulkin
accused by clauses of the CC on "creation of extremist community and
participation in it" as well as on "stimulation of hate or hostility as well
as humiliation of human dignity".

On October 9 the investigatory department of the investigatory committee of
the office of public prosecutor of RF for St. Petersburg sent the criminal
case on the fact of might-have-been explosion in the city "Rocks-club" to
the court.

On October 13 Krasnoselsky federal court of St. Petersburg sentenced the
leader of nationalist "Party of freedom" Yuri Belyayev to six months of
imprisonment in colony-settlement.

On October 14 the Supreme court of Tatarstan upheld the sentence for the
members of Tatarstan group of Russian National Unity (RNE).

On October 14 the Investigatory department of the Investigatory committee of
the office of public prosecutor for Tver city completed the preliminary
investigation towards 19 members of organization "Russian National Unity"
accused of attacks, desecration of graves and robberies.

On Haider syndrome

(Statement of Moscow bureau for human rights)

On October 10, 2008 an odious Austrian politician Joerg Haider perished in
traffic accident. Having doubtless features of charismatic leader, Haider
became a banner of right radicals and openly supported neo-Nazi moods.

Leading the "Austrian party of freedom" and being a governor of Karintia,
Haider made a statement that the Third Reich conducted more worthy
employment policy than the today’s government does. He promised to "throw"
the migrants out of Austria in person and spoke with demand to reject the
payments to Jews who suffered during Nazi terror in Austria.

Being already a leader of new party "Alliance for the future of Austria",
Haider demanded to provide no full-fledged membership to the new EC
countries, adopt tough migratory laws etc. He enabled these subjects that
were discussed just within discussions among the nationalists to become a
part of all-Austrian political discourse. His parties gained unprecedented
success during regional and federal election causing shock in Europe.

The history and success of Haider’s political carrier are the visual
demonstration what can be a result of inability of the authorities to
explain and cushion the difficulties of transitional period as well as are
an example of the fact how legitimacy is provided to xenophobe and often
pro-Nazi slogans under the shelter of popular and populist slogans. The
parties led by him collected considerable number of votes due to inability
of authorities to smooth the negative consequences of globalization, side
effects of mass immigration and of joining the EC, and inability to explain
the crisis events in economy.

MBHR thinks that dangerous Haider’s popularity in Austria and success of his
parties should be a serious lesson for Russian authorities. Objective
economic and political problems of post-Soviet space, mistakes in migratory
policy, failures of citizens’ social protection, inactivity of
law-enforcement bodies lead to the growth of nationalistic moods, race and
religious hate. Russia is living through a splash of murders and crimes
based upon national hate, growth of activity of the groups of frankly
pro-Nazi orientation. Such moods are kindled and directed by leaders of
right-radical organizations, and many of them express much more radical
views than Haider’s ones being subject to no court persecution.

Such a situation in Russia looks most dangerous. And this is most important
now, under conditions of the world financial and equity crisis the
consequences of which may be felt by Russian citizens. It can be already
seen that many primitive provokers already speak with accusations of
representatives of "non-titular" nations, migrants of the crisis. Somebody
already tries to provoke the protest moods in the army.

While in European countries including Austria a developed civil society
withstands the growth of nationalist moods to some extent, in Russia such a
society is not yet created. Under these conditions the special
responsibility is laid upon the authorities and rights defending
organizations that must do their best to prevent to development of the
events according to the worst scenario.

On the attempts of rehabilitation of Nazism in Ukraine and Baltic countries

Statement of Moscow bureau for human rights

During recent week the Ukrainian and Russian mass media were full of reports
about conflicts and squabbles in Ukraine in connection with celebration
concerning 66th anniversary of creation of Ukrainian insurgent army.

A sad regularity is traced in the political life of some independent states
upon the post-Soviet space: building of the new statehood is inseparable
from the growth of nationalist moods when the enemy is searched strenuously
within the country and abroad to which all the disasters can be ascribed.
Russia and Russian-speaking population take shape as such an enemy. But
during recent years we are the witnesses of even sadder picture: growth of
anti-Russian moods is often accompanied by laudation of "people’s heroes"
who cooperated with Nazis in any way.

It deals with Ukraine and Baltic countries.

Numerous celebrations in honor of Insurgent army veterans are conducted in
Ukraine, a title of the hero of Ukraine was awarded to its commander Roman
Shukhevich who sullied his name with immediate cooperation with Hitlerites.
Museums of Ukrainian insurgent army (UPA-UNSO) are created, and the uniforms
of the World War II are much in demand. Laudations of Bandera followers are
permanently combined with curses addressed to the "Muscovites". The common
tragedy of the people of the Soviet Union that lived through inconceivable
sufferings during the Stalin’s regime, the tragedy of multi-national
population of Ukraine that died because of hunger early in 1930s are
transformed into the idea of Golodomor as a conscious genocide of Ukrainians
by Russian authorities – it looks like the hunger consciously avoided the
houses where the Russians lived. It looks like inhabitants of Urals and
other regions of Russia didn’t starve. At the same time nationalistic mass
media relish the Jewish names in the list of the Ukrainian leaders of that
time and don’t mention many Ukrainian names. The myrmidons and bearers of
Stalin’s regime whose activity is disgusting no matter what was their
nationality, are thoroughly sorted into one’s owns and aliens. And the
aliens – "Muscovites" and "Jewmen" prove to be the only culprits of
Ukrainian tragedy.

As wild anti-Russian and pro-fascist hysteria also takes place recently in
the Baltic countries. Indeed, the Baltic countries suffered much from the
Soviet regime. Dozen thousands of the Baltic residents were executed, exiled
to Siberia, deprived of the right to maintain their cultural and religious
traditions. But for unknown reason the blame is put again upon Russia and
Russians – it looks like millions Russians were not executed, exiled to the
camps, deprived of elementary human rights by the same Stalin’s regime. It
looks like Baltic Communists and chekists didn’t take part in repressions
and like the Latvian riflemen didn’t participate in the revolution. And
people are sorted again basing upon their nationality, and the "aliens" are
called enemies. As a result the Russians and representatives of other
non-native nationalities are deprived of civil rights and possibility to
study in native language. At the same time rallies and marches of "Waffen
SS" veterans are conducted, medals are presented to the veterans of
volunteer Nazi legions, graves of Soviet warriors are desecrated, monuments
to warriors-liberators are destroyed and criminal proceedings are instituted
against old men-partisans who fought against fascism.

Both in Ukraine and in Baltic countries the officials often treat
protectively the glorification of Nazi myrmidons and sometimes participate
themselves in the marches of "veterans". Thus, the president of Ukraine V.
Yushchenko initiated the celebration of UPA-UNSO anniversary in person. Even
the European structures that often try to take no notice of human rights
breaches in some countries to please the political considerations expressed
more than once their indignation due to open demonstration of neo-Nazi moods
in Baltic countries and anti-Semitism in Ukraine.

The abrupt growth of anti-Semitic moods should be specially stressed being
an integral part of nationalistic and pro-Nazi moods. Right-radical mass
media, nationalist parties and various movements use the anti-Semitic
rhetoric. It’s sufficient to mention just the regrettably known MAUP that
was putting anti-Semitism without difficulty into the center of its activity
for many years.

A special cynicism can be seen in all this if one takes into account that it
was right in Ukraine and Baltic countries that the Jewish population lived
throw the terrible tragedy. Many hundred thousands Jews in Ukraine, almost
whole Jewish population of the Baltic region were eliminated during Nazi
occupation. And it’s well-known that local population from among Nazi
myrmidons actively and sometimes immediately participated in elimination of
the Jews. Latvian punitive detachments not just conducted the executions of
Jews on the territory of Latvia itself but were also "sent on a business
strip" to other Baltic countries. None of other European countries knew such
an active participation of local population in the Holocaust like the Baltic
countries.

And neo-Nazi moods are actively implanted and disseminated in these
countries instead of giving the righteous that sheltered the Jews their due,
and instead of taking care of monuments and graves of Soviet soldiers who
gave their lives for salvation of the world from Nazism. And such a
situation seems intolerable under conditions of today’s world political and
economical cataclysms and aggravation of inter-national and inter-religious
conflicts. The authorities and the public of Ukraine and Baltic countries,
European rights defending structures should do their best to prevent the
growth of fascism and its irreversible consequences.

"Europe got to know about the tragedy of South Ossetia"

A press conference "Europe got to know about the tragedy of South Ossetia"
took place in press center of "RIA News". Members of the Public chamber of
RF told about their participation in PACE session devoted to humanitarian
catastrophe in South Ossetia and in OSCE conference on human dimension in
Warsaw.

The member of the RF Public chamber, director of Moscow bureau for human
rights Alexander Brod greeted the proposal of Parliamentary Assembly of the
Community of Europe on conduction of full-scale investigation. He also
stated that Russian rights defenders would like to visit Gori and Poti.
"Information about the victims both on Ossetin and Georgian parts is equally
important for us. All the facts of human rights breaches, destructions,
cases of marauding should be thoroughly investigated, and the refugees must
get a chance to return to their houses", he said.

According to A. Brod, more than 200 applications from the citizens of South
Ossetia to Moscow bureau for human rights in August 2008 were handed-over to
the European court of human rights. Moscow bureau for human rights, Guild of
Russian lawyers, National rights defending Union "Man and Law", movement
"Resistance" would provide the juridical support to the citizens of South
Ossetia as before.

Alexander Brod stressed that PACE deputies who visited Tskhinval in person
spoke more objectively than those who didn’t go to Ossetia. Hysterical
appeals to "stop the Russian bear, empire of evil" and that "Russian tanks
entered Tbilisi and the city is in ruins. These tanks are already in the
heart of Europe, in this hall" were heard in the hall of the European
Council. The members of the Public chamber presented the book "South
Ossetia. Chronicle of the booked murder" prepared together by the commission
of the Public chamber on investigation of military crimes and rights
defending movement "Resistance". The book tells about the victims of
Georgian aggression, reproduces the chronology of the August events and the
evidences of eye-witnesses. Documentary materials are supplemented by photos
shot by journalists during the battle for Tskhinval. This book caused big
interest in Strasbourg and Warsaw.

At present the negotiations are conducted on arrangement of similar briefing
in European parliament in Brussels and UN headquarters in New York.

According to the member of the Public chamber, lawyer Pavel Astakhov, public
investigation of all the circumstances of 5-day August war will continue by
all means. Though the Europeans acknowledged in general that it was Georgia
that inflicted the first blow upon South Ossetia, the members of the Public
chamber don’t loose their hope to persuade the West that Russia behaved in
the only possible way during the conflict and that the Georgian leaders
should answer for their crimes in the international tribunal.

"Criminal proceedings were instituted by the Russian part. Political
investigation took place within PACE. But the conclusions were different.
And there is a field for the work of public organizations. The conflict took
place but it isn’t solved", P. Astakhov said.

According to the collected evidences, the Georgian servicemen executed the
refugees who tried to escape to Russia, used the inhabitants of Ossetin
villages as the living shield during the attack at Tskhinval and applied the
cassette ammunition during bombardment of Ossetin houses.

Member of the RF Public chamber Sergey Ryakhovsky noted the importance of
development of inter-religious dialogue of Russia and Georgia as well as of
humanitarian and cultural ties between the people of our countries.

Executive secretary of the "People’s forum ‘Ossetia accuses’" Oleg Kudukhov
noted that his compatriots also have reproofs towards the European
structures themselves. In particular it is known that several days before
the start of war the OSCE and Red Cross missions that worked in Tskhinval
hurriedly left South Ossetia. "This means the Georgian OSCE representation
knew about the attack that was under preparation and warned its colleagues,
Kudukhov said. But why were the Ossetins not warned then? Why didn’t
Europeans try to interfere into the conflict?"

Executive director of Moscow bureau for human rights Natalya Rykova spoke
with the demand to create an international tribunal for condemnation of
Georgian aggression thus supporting the idea stated by the Commissioner on
human rights V. Lukin in August 2008. N. Rykova also stressed that the
response of the international rights defending community to the war in South
Ossetia was inert and delayed. In her opinion, it was just inactivity of
armed peace-maker contingent in Bosnia and Herzegovina that led to the
tragedy of Srebrenitsa and mass elimination of Moslem and Serbian
population. And Russian peace-makers did their utmost in South Ossetia to
prevent the growth of ethnic war.

N. Rykova also noted that on October 10 the Nobel price of peace was awarded
to the Finnish politician and diplomat, 71-year-old Marti Ahtisaari being
the author of the plan of separation of Kosovo from Serbia "for outstanding
service <…> for solution of international conflicts". In her opinion,
despite the service of Marti Ahtisaari in the field of peace-making, the
decision of the Nobel committee is most politicized and obviously connected
with the recent events in South Ossetia.

The public prosecutors checked the observance of laws on federal security,
inter-national relations and counteraction against extremism

According to the data of the RF Office of general public prosecutor, the
offices of public prosecutor of Russian Federation conducted 25661
inspections of implementation of laws on federal security, inter-national
relations and counteraction against extremism during the period since
January till June, 2008 (including 441 inspections in the authorities of RF
subjects, 8280 – in local government bodies, 244 – in territorial
Rosregistration bodies, 50 – in territorial Rosokhanculture bodies, 1540 –
in territorial migratory inspection bodies, 1366 – in public associations,
1659 – in religious associations and 2160 – in mass media).

50398 legislation breaches were discovered (including 289 – in the
authorities of the RF subjects, 19549 – in local government bodies, 80 – in
territorial Rosregistration bodies, 24 – in territorial Rosokhanculture
bodies, 2047 – in territorial migratory inspection bodies, 617 – in public
associations, 578 – in religious associations, 357 – in mass media), among
them 2636 – in the field of inter-national relations (including 12 in the
authorities of the RF subjects, 126 – in local government bodies, 2 – in
territorial Rosokhanculture bodies, 942 – in territorial migratory
inspection bodies, 136 – in public associations, 14 – in religious
associations, 3 – in mass media), 11460 – in the field of counteraction
against extremism (including 161 in the authorities of the RF subjects, 7250
– in local government bodies, 72 – in territorial Rosregistration bodies, 12
– in territorial Rosokhanculture bodies, 713 – in territorial migratory
inspection bodies, 327 – in public associations, 524 – in religious
associations, 340 – in mass media) and 36302 – in the field of counteraction
against terrorism (including 116 in the authorities of the RF subjects,
12173 – in local government bodies, 8 – in territorial Rosregistration
bodies,10 – in territorial Rosokhanculture bodies, 392 – in territorial
migratory inspection bodies, 154 – in public associations, 40 – in religious
associations, 14 – in mass media). Also 1684 illegitimate legal acts were
discovered during the inspections (including 12 in the authorities of the RF
subjects, 1011 – in local government bodies, 7 – in territorial
Rosregistration bodies, 260 – in territorial migratory inspection bodies, 13
– in public associations, 182 – in religious associations, 1 – in mass
media), among them 318 in the field of inter-national relations (including 5
in the authorities of the RF subjects, 6 – in local government bodies, 184 –
in territorial migratory inspection bodies, 4 – in public associations, 3 –
in religious associations) , 839 – in the field of counteraction against
extremism (including 4 in the authorities of the RF subjects, 563 – in local
government bodies, 7 – in territorial Rosregistration bodies, 44 – in
territorial migratory inspection bodies, 9 – in public associations, 178 –
in religious associations, 1 – in mass media) and 527 – in the field of
counteraction against terrorism (including 3 in the authorities of the RF
subjects, 442 – in local government bodies, 32 – in territorial migratory
inspection bodies, 1 – in religious associations).

1362 protests were passed concerning illegal actions (including 8 concerning
the actions of the authorities of the RF subjects, 828 – of local government
bodies, 7 – of territorial Rosregistration bodies, 260 – of territorial
migratory inspection bodies, 13 – of public associations, 168 – of religious
associations, 1 – of mass media). 10 protests were declined (2 concerning
the actions of local government bodies, 4 – the actions of territorial
migratory inspection bodies, 1 – the actions of religious organization).
According to the results of 1056 protests, illegitimate legal acts were
cancelled (or changed) (including 7 concerning the actions of the
authorities of the RF subjects, 714 – of local government bodies, 2 – of
territorial Rosregistration bodies, 196 – of territorial migratory
inspection bodies, 6 – of public associations, 84 – of religious
associations). 3545 suits were directed to the court (including 9 concerning
the actions of the authorities of the RF subjects, 1539 – of local
government bodies, 344 – of territorial migratory inspection bodies, 14 – of
public associations, 32 – of religious associations, 107 – of mass media),
among them 305 – in correspondence with the Federal Law "On counteraction
against extremist activity" (including 132 concerning the actions of local
government bodies, 11 – of public associations, 6 – of religious
associations, 105 – of mass media). The courts declined 45 suits (among them
30 concerning the actions of local government bodies), including 18 that
were forwarded according to the Federal Law "On counteraction against
extremist activity" (all of these – concerning the actions of local
government bodies).

14968 adductions were introduced (including 123 concerning the actions of
the authorities of the RF subjects, 7925 – of local government bodies, 43 –
of territorial Rosregistration bodies, 8 – of territorial Rosokhanculture
bodies, 293 – of territorial migratory inspection bodies, 231 – of public
associations, 188 – of religious associations, 73 – of mass media). 4481
persons were called to account basing upon the adductions of the public
prosecutor (among them 31 – from among the employees of the authorities of
the RF subjects, 1239 – employees of local government bodies, 94 – from
territorial migratory inspection bodies, 32 – from public associations, 10 –
from religious associations, 22 – from mass media). 6721 persons else got
the warning on impossibility of the breach of law (among them 241 – from
among the employees of the authorities of the RF subjects, 2212 – of
employees of local government bodies, 2 – from territorial Rosregistration
bodies, 3 – from territorial Rosokhanculture bodies, 31 – from territorial
migratory inspection bodies, 255 – from public associations, 181 – from
religious associations, 259 – from mass media). 148 persons else got the
warning (among them 19 from among the employees of local government bodies,
9 – from public associations, 12 – from religious associations, 17 – from
mass media). 3738 persons were called to account administratively (among
them 1 from among the employees of the authorities of the RF subjects, 352 –
from local government bodies, 235 – from territorial migratory inspection
bodies, 157 – from public associations, 18 – from religious associations, 42
– from mass media). 32 criminal proceedings were instituted basing upon the
materials directed by the public prosecutor in correspondence with clause 37
part 2 of the Criminal-procedural code (CPC) of RF (among them 1 concerning
the employees of the authorities of the RF subjects, 2 – employees of local
government bodies, 4 – of territorial migratory inspection bodies, 2 – of
public associations, 1- of religious associations, 6 – of mass media). 105
materials else were directed for examining the possibility of instituting
the criminal proceedings (among them 5 against the employees of local
government bodies, 13 – of territorial migratory inspection bodies, 10 – of
public associations, 6 – of religious associations, 16 – of mass media).
1113 informational references and adductions were sent to the authorities
concerning the state of legality, 448 addresses were received concerning
breaches of law: 285 in the sphere of inter-national relations (13 were
upheld), 140 – in the sphere of counteraction against extremism (19 were
upheld), 23 – in the sphere of counteraction against terrorism (15 were
upheld).

90 cases of extremist orientation were passed to the court (among them 1 by
clause 141 of the CC of RF, 8 – by clause 280 of the CC, 31 – by clause 282
of the CC, 2 – by clause 282-1, 2 – by clause 282-2, 5 – by clause 105, 4 –
by clause 111, 2 – by clause 112, 5 – by clause 115, 6 – by clause 116, 4 –
by clause 119 of the CC, 13 – by clause 213, 3 – by clause 214, 2 – by
clause 244). 35 of them were investigated by the investigators of
Departments of home affairs (OVD) (3 by clause 111, 1 – by clause 112, 5 –
by clause 115, 6 – by clause 116, 3 – by clause 119 of the CC, 11 – by
clause 213, 3 – by clause 214, 2 by clause 244), 52 – by the Investigatory
committee (IC) of the Office of public prosecutor of RF (among them 1 – by
clause 141 of the CC, 5 – by clause 280 of the CC, 31 – by clause 282 of the
CC, 2 – by clause 282-1, 2 – by clause 282-2, 5 – by clause 105, 1 – by
clause 111, 1 – by clause 112, 1 – by clause 119 of the CC, 2 – by clause
213). 184 of the accused were called by these cases: 78 – by cases
investigated by OVD (among them 6 by clause 111, 2 – by clause 112, 8 – by
clause 115, 10 – by clause 116, 3 – by clause 119 of the CC, 30 – by clause
213, 6 – by clause 214, 4 – by clause 244) and 103 – by cases investigated
by IC (among them 1 by clause 141 of the CC, 7 – by clause 280 of the CC, 42
– by clause 282 of the CC, 5 – by clause 282-1, 3 – by clause 282-2, 32 – by
clause 105, 3 – by clause 111, 1 – by clause 112, 2 – by clause 119 of the
CC, 3 – by clause 213). Besides, 9 cases (3 by clause 280, 5 by clause 282,
1 by clause 214) against 9 persons were stopped (1 by clause 214 by OVD
investigators and 5 by clause 282 – by investigators of IC) – including 5
due to lack of the criminal event or corpus delicti (2 by clause 280 and 3
by clause 282 (all of them – by investigators of IC). 50 cases were
suspended, including by clause 208 part 1 item 1 of the CPC – 41 (among them
1 – by clause 141 of the CC, 22 – by clause 282 of the CC, 3 – by clause
282-2, 2 – by clause 105, 2 – by clause 116, 1 by clause 213, 6 – by clause
214, 3 – by clause 244), by clause 208 part 1 item 2 – 6 (2 – by clause 280
of the CC, 4 – by clause 282 of the CC), by clause 208 part 1 item 3 – 2 (1
– by clause 282 , 2 – by clause 213), by clause 208 part 1 item 4 – 1 (by
clause 282 of the CC). 69 cases were also passed to the court with
accusation of terrorism: among them 47 were investigated by OVD (including 2
– by clause 206 and 44 – by clause 208) and 19 – by IC (2 – by clause 205, 1
– by clause 205-1, 1 – by clause 206, 15 – by clause 208) with 101 accused:
68 – by cases investigated by OVD (including 2 – by cases by clause 206, 65
– by cases by clause 208), 31 – by cases investigated by IC (including 1 by
cases by clause 205-1, 1 – by cases by clause 206, 18 – by cases by clause
208). 4 cases (among them 3 – by investigators of IC: 1 – by clause 205, 2 –
by clause 208) against 6 persons (including1 – by cases investigated by OVD,
4 – by cases investigated by IC) were stopped including 1 – by investigators
of IC due to lack of corpus delicti. Besides, 26 cases else were suspended
including by clause 208 part 1 item 1 of the CPC of RF – 17 (among them 10 –
by clause 205 of the CC, 4 – by clause 208 of the CC, 2 – by clause 278, 1 –
by clause 282-1), by clause 208 part 1 item 2 – 9 (1 – by clause 205 of the
CC, 7 – by clause 208, 1 – by clause 277).

http://antirasizm.ru

YP Brazil’s "Armenia" Book Launch Attracts 200

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, October 23, 2008

YP Brazil’s "Armenia" Book Launch Attracts 200

On October 13, 2008, AGBU Young Professionals of Brazil, in
conjunction with the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in
São Paulo and others sponsors, hosted the launch of "Armenia," a photo
book by 29-year-old architect and photographer Stepan Norair
Chahinian. The event took place at Boteco Ferraz, a popular city bar,
and welcomed over 200 participants of all ages.

The idea for the book began four years ago while Stepan was living in
Armenia. He took more than 2,000 photographs over 5 months and
distilled his images into an attractive 144-page book. The final
photography book is a mixture of landscapes, architecture and people,
all with a documentary point of view.

"I’m glad to have accomplished this. I feel I can help the diaspora
and promote the Armenian culture and values through photography," says
Chahinian, who is also YP Brazil committee member.

"Armenia" will be available at the AGBU bookstore in New York and also
can be ordered by emailing [email protected]. Part of the proceeds
from the book sales will be donated to the All-Armenia Fund of
Argentina.

To learn more about the AGBU YP Network or how to establish an AGBU YP
Group in your community, please visit or email
[email protected].

For more information on AGBU and its other worldwide programs, please
visit

www.agbu.org
www.agbu.org/yp
www.agbu.org.

Coalition Building Program: Site Visits to Syunik Based NGOs

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

October 23, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

COALITION BUILDING PROGRAM: SITE VISITS TO SYUNIK BASED NGOs

Yerevan, Armenia – The League of Women Voters (LWV), the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly) and the NGO Center, Civil Society
Development Organization (NGOC) are pleased to announce the start of a
Coalition Building education program for local non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) in southern Armenia on September 22, in the city of
Yeghegnadzor. At the end of each training week the training team will
conduct site visits to the offices of the participating NGOs. The site
visits are part of the commitments agreed to by the participating NGOs
to bring the current training to their boards and membership, thereby
expanding the reach and impact of the program.

The first site visit was made to two Syunik-based NGOs. On Thursday,
September 26, Zaida Arguedas and Sarah Diefendorf, League members and
also trainers of the Coaching NGOs in Armenia program, traveled to Kapan
for a site visit. The goal of the site visit was to meet with the
leaders of the two NGOs in the Syunik region: the Women’s Association of
Kapan Region and Syunik Disabled People Support Organization, Voghji.

On Friday, September 27, Diefendorf and Arguedas were hosted by Susanna
Martiosyan, co-director and program manager, and by Svetlana Gevorgyan,
co-director, of the Women’s Association of Kapan Region. Two board
members were also in attendance. Additionally, Kamo Davtyan and Meline
Astsatryan, the two participants from the Syunik Disabled People Support
Organization, Voghji, were also part of this meeting.

The mission of the Women’s Association of Kapan is to support the
inclusion of women in the public, political, economic and social
spheres, to provide gender balance in the region and to establish
stronger ties with other NGOs in the region. The Women’s Association of
Kapan is the largest women’s organization in the Syunik region. The
municipality of Kapan donates the office space occupied by the Women’s
Association, while a large percentage of their funding is from
international donors.

Both Martiosyan and Gevorgyan received very positive feedback on the
training, expressed by their two participants, Program Manager Arine
Harutyunyan and Coordinator Varduhie Sahakyan.
Harutyunyan and Sahakyan are already planning to share with their
members the topics they have identified as of key importance for their
organization. Harutyunyan, who has several years of experience,
indicated that "what we are learning are things that we should know, but
that for the first time are being presented to us in a different way and
in an interactive way."

The meeting with the Syunik Disabled People Support Organization,
Voghji, took place immediately afterwards. The goals and objectives of
Voghji are to support the rights of persons with disabilities, to
facilitate their integration into society, to create employment
opportunities, and to propose and support legislative initiatives in
support of the disabled. Voghji president, Kamo Davtyan and Meline
Astsatryan, are the two participants in Coaching NGOs in Armenia.

Davtyan is a disabled person himself with amazing drive and charisma.
Voghji currently has two paid employees and 20 unpaid volunteers and is
entirely funded by Kapan’s business community. One recent achievement
is a decree enacted by the mayor of Kapan that states "no new
construction will be approved in Kapan if it does not include plans for
ramps for the disabled." The challenge for Davtyan’s NGO is to ensure
that this decree is properly enforced. Davtyan’s and Astsatryan stated
that the Coaching NGOs in Armenia program has been "more positive that
you can imagine."

Their short term plans include refurbishing an old house that will be a
center for disabled people, similar to a one stop shop for services,
information, and other activities. Midterm plans include obtaining a
car to travel from village to village and acquiring technical support on
issues relating to legislation and best practices. LWV has offered to
connect Voghji with U.S. NGOs working with disabled populations.

During this visit, Davtyan informed us that he submitted his application
to run for Councilor of Kajaran, in the October 12 elections.

The success of the project is also dependent on the support of its
partners. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is one of the partners
of the project whose support and assistance was invaluable during the
training. Special thanks are extended to NDI Yeghegnadzor branch for
sharing their office, supplies and equipment.

This project is made possible through the collective efforts of the
League of Women Voters of the United States, the Armenian Assembly of
America and the NGO Center Civil Society Development NGO. Funding for
this project has been provided in the form of a grant to the League of
Women Voters by private donors and Assembly Trustees Charles Talanian
and Peter Vosbikian.

The NGOC was established in 1994, as a project of the Armenian Assembly
of America to promote democracy through civil society development. In
2005, it registered as a separate, local entity in Armenia. Targeting
NGOs, community based organizations (CBOs), civic action groups (CAGs)
and other elements of civil society, the NGO Center continues to help
them in their efforts to develop a strong NGO sector in Armenia.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization,
encourages informed and active participation in government, works to
increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences
public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League
is open to men and women of all ages. With more than 88 years of
experience and 850 local and state affiliates, the League is one of
America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR # 2008-076

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

www.aaainc.org

ANCA Announces 2008 Congressional Endorsements

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
October 23, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA ANNOUNCES 2008 CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS

— Throws Community’s Electoral Support Behind 15 U.S. Senate and
211 House Pro-Armenian American Candidates

— Expanded 2008 ANCA Congressional Report Cards Track Pro-Armenian
Initiatives, Darfur Advocacy, and Turkish/Azerbaijani Lobby Efforts

WASHINGTON, DC – With just two weeks to go before potentially
pivotal Congressional races, the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) today released its 2008 endorsements, throwing the
political and electoral strength of the Armenian American community
behind supportive House and Senate candidates in forty U.S. States.

"We are pleased to offer our Congressional endorsements as a
resource to help Armenian American voters make informed decisions
at the ballot box on November 4th," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "With a crucial presidential election and so many
Congressional races being closely contested, we encourage all
Armenian Americans to go to the polls and support each of our
friends."

The ANCA endorsements are based primarily on the ANCA Congressional
Report Card, a detailed review of each incumbent’s record across a
broad range of Armenian American issues. These Report Cards,
prepared in consultation with local ANCA chapters across the
country, cover issues ranging from securing a just resolution of
the Armenian Genocide and the strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations
to defending Nagorno Karabagh’s independence and increasing U.S.
aid and trade levels.

Among the grading criteria were membership in the Armenian Caucus
and willingness to advance pro-Armenian American legislative
initiatives, including the Armenian Genocide resolutions, measures
against the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and legislative
efforts to help the genocide that is taking place today in Darfur.
Also considered were support for Congressional letters and
participation in events advocating the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, calling for increased aid to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh, and supporting the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh’s right
to self-determination. On the Senate side, special attention was
devoted to efforts to exercise oversight of U.S. Ambassadorial
nominees to Armenia and Turkey.

The 2008 ANCA Report Cards have been expanded to include:

* Congressional notes highlighting key initiatives taken by
individual House and Senate Members – from Congressional speeches
to special scrutiny of issues of concern to the Armenian American
community.

* A detailed accounting of Turkish and Azerbaijani Government lobby
efforts targeting Senate and House members during the 110th
Congress, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice Foreign
Agent Registration division ().

* Direct access to DarfurScores.org, designed by the Genocide
Intervention Network, which grades Senate and House Members on
their support for Darfur-related initiatives geared to help end the
cycle of genocide.

The ANCA Congressional Report Cards are posted on the ANCA website
at: portcards.php

A complete list of ANCA Congressional endorsements is provided
below.

#####

2008 ANCA CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS

Alabama

District #7: Artur Davis (D)

American Samoa

District #AL: Eni Faleomavaega (D)

Arizona

District #4: Ed Pastor (D)
District #7: Raul Grijalva (D)
District #8: Gabrielle Giffords (D)

California

District #1: Mike Thompson (D)
District #3: Dan Lungren (R)
District #5: Doris Matsui (D)
District #6: Lynn Woolsey (D)
District #7: George Miller (D)
District #8: Nancy Pelosi (D)
District #9: Barbara Lee (D)
District #10: Ellen Tauscher (D)
District #11: Jerry McNerney (D)
District #12: Jackie Speier (D)
District #13: Pete Stark (D)
District #14: Anna Eshoo (D)
District #15: Michael Honda (D)
District #16: Zoe Lofgren (D)
District #17: Sam Farr (D)
District #18: Dennis Cardoza (D)
District #19: George Radanovich (R)
District #20: Jim Costa (D)
District #21: Devin Nunes (R)
District #22: Kevin McCarthy (R)
District #23: Lois Capps (D)
District #24: Elton Gallegly (R)
District #25: Buck McKeon (R)
District #26: David Dreier (R)
District #27: Brad Sherman (D)
District #28: Howard Berman (D)
District #29: Adam Schiff (D)
District #30: Henry Waxman (D)
District #31: Xavier Becerra (D)
District #32: Hilda Solis (D)
District #33: Diane Watson (D)
District #34: Lucille Roybal-Allard (D)
District #35: Maxine Waters (D)
District #37: Laura Richardson (D)
District #38: Grace Napolitano (D)
District #39: Linda Sanchez (D)
District #40: Edward Royce (R)
District #41: Jerry Lewis (R)
District #42: Gary Miller (R)
District #43: Joe Baca (D)
District #44: Ken Calvert (R)
District #45: Mary Bono Mack (R)
District #46: Dana Rohrabacher (R)
District #47: Loretta Sanchez (D)
District #48: John Campbell (R)
District #49: Darrell Issa (R)
District #50: Brian Bilbray (R)
District #51: Bob Filner (D)
District #53: Susan Davis (D)

Colorado

Senate: Mark Udall (D) – OPEN SEAT

District #1: Diana DeGette (D)
District #3: John Salazar (D)
District #4: Marilyn Musgrave (R)
District #7: Edwin Perlmutter (D)

Connecticut

District #1: John Larson (D)
District #2: Joe Courtney (D)
District #3: Rosa DeLauro (D)
District #5: Chris Murphy (D)

Delaware

Senate: Joe Biden (D)

District of Columbia

District #AL: Eleanor Holmes Norton (D)

Florida

District #4: Ander Crenshaw (R)
District #9: Gus Bilirakis (R)
District #17: Kendrick Meek (D)
District #19: Benjamin Graber (I) — CHALLENGER
District #21: Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R)
District #22: Ron Klein (D)
District #25: Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

Georgia

District #1: Jack Kingston (R)
District #5: John Lewis (D)
District #8: James Marshall (D)
District #12: John Barrow (D)

Guam

District #AL: Madeleine Bordallo (D)

Hawaii

District #1: Neil Abercrombie (D)
District #2: Mazie Hirono (D)

Illinois

Senate: Richard Durbin (D)

District #1: Bobby Rush (D)
District #2: Jesse Jackson (D)
District #3: Daniel Lipinski (D)
District #6: Peter Roskam (R)
District #7: Danny Davis (D)
District #8: Steve Greenberg (R) – CHALLENGER
District #9: Janice Schakowsky (D)
District #10: Mark Kirk (R)
District #11: Debbie Halverson (D) – OPEN SEAT
District #12: Jerry Costello (D)
District #13: Scott Harper (D) – CHALLENGER
District #14: Bill Foster (D)
District #16: Donald Manzullo (R)
District #17: Phillip Hare (D)

Indiana

District #1: Peter Visclosky (D)
District #3: Mark Souder (R)

Iowa

District #1: Bruce Braley (D)

Kentucky

Senate: Mitch McConnell (R)

District #3: John Yarmuth (D)

Louisiana

District #3: Charlie Melancon (D)

Maine

Senate: Susan Collins (R)

District #1: Chellie Pingree (D) – OPEN SEAT
District #2: Michael Michaud (D)

Maryland

District #3: John Sarbanes (D)
District #5: Steny Hoyer (D)
District #8: Christopher Van Hollen (D)

Massachusetts

Senate: John Kerry (D)

District #1: John Olver (D)
District #2: Richard Neal (D)
District #3: James McGovern (D)
District #4: Barney Frank (D)
District #5: Niki Tsongas (D)
District #6: John Tierney (D)
District #7: Edward Markey (D)
District #8: Michael Capuano (D)
District #9: Stephen Lynch (D)
District #10: William Delahunt (D)

Michigan

Senate: Carl Levin (D)

District #4: Dave Camp (R)
District #5: Dale Kildee (D)
District #7: Tim Walberg (R)
District #8: Mike Rogers (R)
District #9: Joe Knollenberg (R)
District #10: Candice Miller (R)
District #11: Thaddeus McCotter (R)
District #12: Sander Levin (D)
District #14: John Conyers (D)

Minnesota

Senate: Norm Coleman (R)

District #1: Timothy Walz (D)
District #4: Betty McCollum (D)
District #5: Keith Maurice Ellison (D)
District #6: Michele Marie Bachmann (R)
District #7: Collin Peterson (D)

Mississippi

District #2: Bennie Thompson (D)

Missouri

District #1: William Clay (D)
District #5: Emanuel Cleaver (D)

Nevada

District #1: Shelley Berkley (D)
District #3: Jon Porter (R)

New Hampshire

Senate: John Sununu (R)

District #1: Jeb Bradley (R) – CHALLENGER
District #2: Paul Hodes (D)

New Jersey

Senate: Frank Lautenberg (D)

District #1: Robert Andrews (D)
District #2: Frank LoBiondo (R)
District #4: Christopher Smith (R)
District #5: Scott Garrett (R)
District #6: Frank Pallone (D)
District #9: Steven Rothman (D)
District #10: Donald Payne (D)
District #11: Rodney Frelinghuysen (R)
District #12: Rush Holt (D)
District #13: Albio Sires (D)

New Mexico

Senate: Tom Udall (D) – OPEN SEAT

New York

District #1: Tim Bishop (D)
District #2: Steve Israel (D)
District #3: Peter King (R)
District #4: Carolyn McCarthy (D)
District #5: Gary Ackerman (D)
District #7: Joseph Crowley (D)
District #8: Jerrold Nadler (D)
District #9: Anthony Weiner (D)
District #11: Yvette Clarke (D)
District #12: Nydia Velazquez (D)
District #14: Carolyn Maloney (D)
District #15: Charles Rangel (D)
District #16: Jose Serrano (D)
District #17: Eliot Engel (D)
District #18: Nita Lowey (D)
District #19: John Hall (D)
District #20: Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
District #22: Maurice Hinchey (D)
District #23: John McHugh (R)
District #24: Michael Arcuri (D)

North Carolina

Senate: Elizabeth Dole (R)

District #1: G.K. Butterfield (D)
District #12: Melvin Watt (D)

Ohio

District #1: Steve Chabot (R)
District #2: David Krikorian (I) — CHALLENGER
District #10: Dennis Kucinich (D)
District #13: Betty Sue Sutton (D)
District #14: Steven LaTourette (R)
District #17: Tim Ryan (D)
District #18: Zachary Space (D)

Oregon

Senate: Jeff Merkley (D) – CHALLENGER

District #1: David Wu (D)
District #3: Earl Blumenauer (D)
District #4: Peter DeFazio (D)

Pennsylvania

District #1: Robert Brady (D)
District #2: Chaka Fattah (D)
District #6: Jim Gerlach (R)
District #13: Allyson Schwartz (D)
District #14: Mike Doyle (D)
District #15: Charles Dent (R)
District #16: Joseph Pitts (R)

Rhode Island

Senate: Jack Reed (D)

District #1: Patrick Kennedy (D)
District #2: James Langevin (D)

South Carolina

District #2: Joe Wilson (R)

South Dakota

Senate: Tim Johnson (D)

District #AL: Stephanie Herseth (D)

Tennessee

District #3: Zach Wamp (R)

Texas

District #9: Al Green (D)
District #10: Michael McCaul (R)
District #17: Chet Edwards (D)
District #18: Sheila Jackson Lee (D)
District #20: Charlie Gonzalez (D)
District #23: Ciro Rodriguez (D)
District #24: Kenny Marchant (R)
District #25: Lloyd Doggett (D)
District #29: Gene Green (D)

Utah

District #2: Jim Matheson (D)

Virgin Islands

District #AL: Donna Christian-Christensen (D)

Virginia

District #3: Robert Scott (D)
District #7: Eric Cantor (R)
District #8: James Moran (D)
District #10: Frank Wolf (R)
District #11: Gerald Connolly (D) – OPEN SEAT

Washington

District #3: Brian Baird (D)
District #5: Cathy McMorris (R)
District #7: Jim McDermott (D)
District #8: Dave Reichert (R)

Wisconsin

District #1: Paul Ryan (R)
District #2: Tammy Baldwin (D)
District #3: Ron Kind (D)
District #5: F. James Sensenbrenner (R)
District #8: Steven Leslie Kagen (D)

http://www.anca.org/legislative_center/election_re
www.fara.gov

New Karabakh Documentary Premiere on YouTube

Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: 202) 223-4332

Email: [email protected]
Web:

You are invited to be among the firsts to see a new documentary on
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh "The Struggle for Freedom", which
is now posted on our <;
Artsakh Online YouTube Channel.

Produced by director Peter Musurlian of the
<; Globalist Films, the film was first
screened last month at a congressional event on Capitol Hill
(Washington, DC, USA)
< 08_09_19.shtml> "Nagorno
Karabakh Republic/Artsakh: 20 Years of Freedom, Democracy, and
Progress."

http://www.youtube.com/user/ArtsakhOnline&gt
http://www.globalistfilms.com/&gt
http://nkrusa.org/press_releases/press_20
www.nkrusa.org

ARF: Deputy Left Fraction Should Be Deprived Of Mandate

ARF: DEPUTY LEFT FRACTION SHOULD BE DEPRIVED OF MANDATE

Panorama.am
19:32 22/10/2008

"Authorities and Opposition are two wings of the airplane, and the
airplane can not fly without one of them. Authorities-opposition
relationship should be constructive and this is National Assembly which
should guarantee it," said Armen Rustamyan, during the NA discussion
over Parliamentary Opposition and strengthening its authorizations
legislation. A. Rustamyan said that their fraction is pro to the
current legislation.

Talking about the deputies having mandates, A. Rustamyan said that the
deputies, for example, an ARF deputy should not be given opportunity
to reject implementing the decision made by the current fraction,
or to leave the fraction but remain a deputy. In this case the deputy
should be deprived from his mandate.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress