Month: November 2023

AYF at 90: “The heart and soul of the Armenian youth”

Suren Karakhanian
November 1, 2023 AYF-YOARF Community News, Youth 0

AYF 90th anniversary memorabilia display

JERSEY CITY, N.J.—Over 300 guests gathered at the Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) 90th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Atelier Ballroom in Jersey City, New Jersey. The event brought together AYF alumni, members and supporters to commemorate the significant milestone while honoring the past, embracing the present and shaping the future of the youth organization.

This occasion served as a moment of reflection, highlighting the achievements born from our unity and igniting our determination to persist for the benefit of future generations.

In light of the recent unfortunate circumstances that our brothers and sisters have faced in Artsakh, we were encouraged to unite and remember the undeniable strength that emerges when we come together as one. As we commemorate our 90-year journey, this occasion served as a moment of reflection, highlighting the achievements born from our unity and igniting our determination to persist for the benefit of future generations.

The event featured a cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and an evening program, followed by a night of Armenian folk, patriotic and revolutionary music featuring the Yerakouyn Band. 

Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with an exquisite, museum-like memorabilia display at the entrance of the ballroom, highlighting a curated collection of relics to honor the past 90 years of the organization’s history. In addition, a clothing rack was set up where guests could flip through vintage AYF tees to unlock some of their core memories from all the wonderful events and initiatives the AYF has offered. These shirts symbolize all the hard work put into the organization over the last nine decades.

Guests also had the special privilege of delving into the AYF’s digital archives, where they could rediscover their very first AYF member applications, the personally signed documents that marked the beginning of their AYF journey.

Additionally, a merchandise table was set up, selling AYF whiskey glasses, thank you cards, the official 90th anniversary AYF crewneck, as well as an exclusive and limited edition novelty board game, the AYF-YOARF Trivia Quest: 90th Anniversary Edition. 

The Trivia Quest board game was originally created by AYF members in the late 1980s, spearheaded by Ken Sarajian and Rich Chebookjian, along with help from many others. The game, inspired by Trivial Pursuit, was created as an educational tool for chapter members and alumni alike. Earlier this year, in honor of the AYF’s 90th anniversary, the 2023 Central Executive decided to release a 90th edition version of the game, with new and updated questions.

The AYF-YOARF Trivia Quest: 90th Anniversary Edition board game

“Upon seeing the board game in the AYF office in Watertown, the Central Executive knew that we had to remake it, given how incredible an idea it was,” said Nareg Mkrtschjan, AYF-YOARF Eastern Region Central Executive (CE) chairperson. “Countless hours were spent on the new version of the game, which includes not only updated questions, but a newly-designed board along with a fully packaged box, containing game pieces as well as instructions,” Mkrtschjan said. The AYF-YOARF Trivia Quest: 90th Anniversary Edition, the whiskey glasses and thank you cards are available for purchase at https://ayf.org/shop/.

“It is truly amazing to look up and see a room so full, with faces from all over our region, as we are here this evening to unite, standing side by side as Armenians, to shape the future of our organization and to build a new Armenia,” said AYF-YOARF 90th Anniversary Chair Hagop Taraksian in his welcoming remarks, touching on the importance of coming together following the recent crisis in Artsakh. 

Then Mkrtschjan offered his remarks as CE chair. “We fundraise, advocate and stand in solidarity for our homeland. In times of crisis, the AYF has been an indomitable force, proving that our bond with the homeland is unbreakable.” He added, “I have no doubt that in the next 90 years, the AYF will continue to be the heart and soul of our Armenian youth, guiding them towards a future that celebrates our heritage while embracing the challenges of the modern world. We will expand our initiatives, explore new horizons and foster a sense of belonging for the next generations.”

AYF-YOARF Eastern Region CE Vice-Chair Ani Khachatourian presented the AYF Olympics Achievement Award to renowned singer and songwriter Onnik Dinkjian, in honor of his contributions to the AYF Olympic Games over the last five decades. The exclusive award is a representation of the AYF’s appreciation for the dedication and passion that an individual gives to both the Olympics and the organization, shining a light on the alumni of the AYF community and the commitment to fight against assimilation.

AYF Olympics Achievement Award recipient Onnik Dinkjian with his award

“Onnik Dinkjian embodies the true meaning of preservation. In addition to preserving the music of our ancestors, he has created a deeply rooted and proud Armenian and AYF-centered family. In these difficult times of our nation’s history, Onnik, through his music, continues to provide a beacon of hope for our Armenian Diaspora and people. This award not only celebrates the past, but it also inspires us for the future. May we all commit ourselves to the work in preserving our language and music,” Khachatourian said.  

Following the program and award ceremony, Onnik left the audience in awe by delivering a surprise performance, singing three timeless classics: Odaroutioun, Hay Herosneri Yerke and Hoy Nazan. 

The evening continued with the Yerakouyn Band taking the stage, performing Armenian folk songs, seamlessly interwoven with patriotic and revolutionary compositions that have stirred the hearts and spirits of many Armenian generations, leaving a lasting impression on all those in attendance. 

The anniversary event also succeeded in its mission to raise significant funds to support the recently launched “Sponsor a Student” initiative to help the displaced children of Artsakh. Through the “Sponsor a Student” initiative, the AYF Eastern Region will be supplying backpacks filled with all the necessary school supplies for the displaced children, including pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, water bottles and more. 

A $50 donation will sponsor one student. The AYF-YOARF would like to thank all those in attendance who donated, as the initiative raised well over $10,000 by the evening’s end. Donations can be made through the AYF-YOARF Sponsor a Student Givebutter link, or by check to Armenian Youth Federation, 80 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA 02472.

The AYF-YOARF 90th Anniversary Committee would also like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed pre-event sponsors and supporters for their invaluable contributions that played an instrumental role in making the event possible. 

SPONSORS

Marcum LLP, Philadelphia AYF “Sebouh” and “Papken Suni” Chapters and Semerjian Builders.

SUPPORTERS

Aram Lorens NYC, ARS New Jersey “Shakeh” Chapter, Capital City Insurance, City Side Landscaping, Comport Consulting Corporation, ComportSecureLLC, Eastern Lamejun, Massoyan Jewelers, Providence AYF “Varantian” Chapter, Steve Mesrobian, Toufayan Bakeries and Yeremian Jewelry.

AYF-YOARF 90th Anniversary Event Council

Hagop Taraksian (Chair, AYF Member)
Sarine Adishian (AYF Alumni)
Ani Comella (AYF Member)
Victoria Ezgilioglu (AYF Member
Ani Jerikian Khatchadourian (AYF Alumni)
Mourad Tossounian (AYF Member)
Raffi Varjabedian (AYF Alumni)

2023 AYF-YOARF Eastern Region Central Executive

Nareg Mkrtschjan (Chair)
Ani Khachatourian (Vice Chair)
Harout Tashian (Treasurer)
Daron Bedian (Advisor)
Meghri Dervartanian (Advisor)
Niree Kaprielian (Advisor)
Areni Margossian (Advisor)
Talene Sagherian (Advisor)
Alec Soghomonian (Advisor)

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
Founded in 1933, The Armenian Youth Federation is an international, non-profit, youth organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). The AYF-YOARF Eastern United States stands on five pillars that guide its central activities and initiatives: Educational, Hai Tahd, Social, Athletic and Cultural. The AYF also promotes a fraternal attitude of respect for ideas and individuals amongst its membership. Unity and cooperation are essential traits that allow members of the organization to work together to realize the AYF’s objectives.


Falling Leaves, Rising Forests: Sustainable Planting Initiatives in 2023

Lilit Nahapetian
November 1, 2023 Armenia Tree Project Non-Profit 0

ATP seasonal workers, hired from remote villages in Armenia, assisting with fall planting

As autumn descends, the dedicated team of forestry experts at Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is hard at work at forest sites. They are joined by skilled seasonal workers, who are hired from local villages around the various regions of Armenia. Their mission: to plant 302,000 trees across 175 hectares of land, marking the anticipated start of the fall planting season in 2023.

About Forests in Armenia

The distribution of forests in Armenia exhibits an imbalance, with primary forested areas situated in the north, northeast and south, while the central part of the country remains predominantly treeless. Today, the majority of forest cover is concentrated in the northern and northeastern regions of Lori and Tavush, as well as in the southeastern region of Syunik. Therefore, only a limited portion of the country’s central region is forested. 

Armenia Tree Project collaborates closely with local communities and regional authorities to establish new forests, revitalize degraded lands, prevent erosion, protect topsoil and significantly improve livelihoods by planting forests even in the most degraded and arid regions of Armenia. Since 1994, ATP has planted over 1,500 hectares of new forest, and will reach the milestone of 650,000 trees planted at forest sites this season. By the end of 2023, ATP will have planted over 8 million trees across Armenia. 

2023 Fall Planting Initiatives

This fall, ATP’s goal is to continue planting trees at various forest sites in the Shirak, Kotayk and Lori Regions. In addition, ATP is expanding its planting initiatives by establishing its first forest in the border region of Gegharkunik.  

Gegharkunik is the largest region in Armenia covering an area of 5,348 km² (18-percent of the total area of Armenia). Approximately 1,278 km² of its territory is encompassed by Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus. The new forest will be established in the Gegharkunik village on 20 hectares of land.

In the long term, our reforestation and afforestation efforts are crucial for meeting Armenia’s climate commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce national emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Our commitment to a green future for Armenians and for the world is unwavering and ever-expanding. 

As ATP prepares for another successful fall planting season, it looks to hire over 100 local villagers to assist with the seasonal work. The economic opportunity provided in these remote villages is crucial given the current situation in Armenia. These seasonal employees look forward to the work provided by ATP every year. Additionally, ATP is preparing to launch its Artsakh Refugee Aid program, which will provide more economic opportunities to the displaced families from Artsakh that the organization had previously aided through the Artsakh Greenhouse Program.

To donate to fall planting and help ATP hire more seasonal employees, please visit ArmeniaTree.org/en/donation.

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is a non-profit program based in Woburn and Yerevan conducting vitally important environmental projects in Armenia's cities and villages and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has planted and restored more than 6,000,000 trees, and hundreds of jobs have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-related programs.


Pashinyan presents “Crossroads of Peace,” pursuing regional connectivity

Emil Lazarian
November 1, 2023 Hoory Minoyan News 0

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s speech during the Silk Road International Conference in Tbilisi (Photo: Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia)

YEREVAN—Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the “Silk Road” international conference in Tbilisi on October 26, along with other high-ranking officials and representatives from various countries and international organizations, where he presented Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” project, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and connectivity.

PM Pashinyan began by highlighting the historical significance of the Silk Road, symbolizing prosperity, peace and cooperation among nations. Pashinyan stressed the vital role of open roads in building and maintaining peace, stating that the South Caucasus region, including Armenia, needs peace, open borders, and strong economic, political and cultural ties.

The “Crossroads of Peace” project, according to Pashinyan, aims to enhance communication between Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran through infrastructure development, including roads, railways, pipelines, cables and electricity lines. He pointed out that some regional railways and highways have been inactive for 30 years, and reactivating them could establish efficient routes connecting the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean.

Pashinyan invited governments and private investors to consider the project, emphasizing its potential benefits for all countries in the region. He stated that all infrastructures would operate under the sovereignty of the countries through which they pass, with border and customs control ensured by each country, promoting reciprocity and equality. This approach appears to be a direct response to Azerbaijan’s demand for control over the “Zangezur corridor.”

The operation of the “Zangezur transit corridor” remains a top priority for Azerbaijan. Baku’s goal is to establish transit between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave, which requires access to the “Zangezur corridor” through Armenia. Azerbaijan aims for minimal security checks, tariffs and transit fees, potentially pressuring Armenia into accepting its terms.

The Armenian PM also discussed Armenia’s readiness to work on peace and normalization agreements with Azerbaijan, emphasizing mutual recognition of territorial integrity and border delimitation based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. 

Pashinyan underlined the alignment of the “Crossroads of Peace” project with the Silk Road’s logic and expressed Armenia’s readiness to facilitate safe transportation of people, vehicles, goods and infrastructure. 

On the other hand, Azerbaijani officials like Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev recently confirmed that military annexation of the “Zangezur corridor” is “no longer their objective.” Instead, according to Hajiyev, Azerbaijan is focusing on building transportation connections through Iran. Construction of a new road in partnership with Iran has already begun. However, the possibility of maintaining a transport link between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through Armenia still depends on Armenia’s willingness, without extraterritorial concessions, to allow Azerbaijan to bypass Armenian border controls, Hajiyev said.

Following this reasoning, Aliyev issued a decree regarding the ongoing efforts to link the Horadiz-Jabrail-Zangilan-Agband highway with Iran and the construction of a bridge over the Araz River. The State Highway Agency has been allocated 14 million manats from the presidential reserve fund for these initiatives.

As Pashinyan flip-flops Armenia’s diplomatic relationships with its traditional allies such as Russia and introduces what he sees as novel concepts, Azerbaijan’s decision to abstain from engaging in discussions aimed at advancing the peace process and its ongoing military maneuvers alongside Turkey, its closest ally, imply that Azerbaijan lacks the desire to reach a peaceful settlement. Such an agreement, according to Pashinyan, should ideally be grounded in three fundamental principles: the mutual acknowledgment of each other’s territorial integrity, the delineation and marking of borders as per the Alma-Ata Declaration, and the opening of all regional communications under the sovereign authority of the concerned parties.

All the while, state representatives and international organizations such as the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Stratfor Forecasting Inc. have warned of new escalations in the region. 

The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has issued a Red Flag Alert regarding the potential for Azerbaijan to invade Armenia, particularly its southern Syunik Province. This invasion could be driven by the desire to create a land corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, a goal shared with Turkey, posing a significant threat to Armenia’s territorial integrity. Recent political developments, including the seizure of Artsakh by Azerbaijan and well-established Armenophobia in the region, raise concerns about a potential genocide. These fears stem from a pattern of massacre, atrocity and forced displacement targeting Armenian identity.

Despite the potential risks, there is a growing concern that Azerbaijan might resort to force. Several factors contribute to this possibility, including Azerbaijan’s military advantage, belief in a limited international response, distractions in the global community and President Ilham Aliyev’s confidence in military success.

Stratfor reports that Azerbaijan is more likely to pursue smaller territorial incursions and cross-border shelling to pressure Armenia into an agreement, rather than a full-scale invasion to seize southern Armenia and establish the “Zangezur corridor” by force. Recent statements and missed meetings between Armenian and Azerbaijani officials reflect growing tensions and divergent geopolitical orientations.

Azerbaijan could continue with smaller-scale incursions and shelling, considering that a full-scale invasion could lead to greater risks and complications. Azerbaijan already maintains alternative transit routes and would risk regional stability, Turkish support and international consequences by launching a major invasion.

Armenia and Azerbaijan’s leaders have not met for significant discussions since July, and both countries appear to be aligning with different geopolitical partners. Armenia’s Prime Minister Pashinyan signaled a desire to reorient Armenia’s foreign policy toward the West during an address to the European Parliament on October 17, while Azerbaijan seeks regional support for its vision of a peace settlement, including from Turkey, Russia and Iran. 

Given the factors mentioned above, the world appears to face conflicting viewpoints and disagreements at a critical “crossroad,” making it challenging to evaluate the current and future developments. As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced, “This marks a pivotal moment for the region. We are on the verge of either a major conflict or significant peace.”

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
Hoory Minoyan was an active member of the Armenian community in Los Angeles until she moved to Armenia prior to the 44-day war. She graduated with a master's in International Affairs from Boston University, where she was also the recipient of the William R. Keylor Travel Grant. The research and interviews she conducted while in Armenia later became the foundation of her Master’s thesis, “Shaping Identity Through Conflict: The Armenian Experience.” Hoory continues to follow her passion for research and writing by contributing to the Armenian Weekly.


Tbilisi took active role for Azerbaijan Armenian Peace Negotiations

Jirair Kafian
Oct 31 2023



By:Cavid Veliev

Date:

On October 26, the 4th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum was held in the Georgian capital, with the participation of Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, at the invitation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and offered their country’s viewpoints on regional peace. During the event, Prime Minister Garibashvili expressed Georgia’s commitment to cooperate with Armenia and Azerbaijan to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus region and within the framework of the forum, the prime ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia hold trilateral meeting with mediation of Garibashvili. Notably, a trilateral meeting between the prime ministers took place behind closed doors. This meeting highlights Georgia’s proactive involvement in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace negotiations, following the recent statements made by President Aliyev during his visit to Georgia.

On October 8, 2020, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev went on a one-day visit to Georgia, holding discussions with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. This marked President Aliyev’s first international trip following Azerbaijan’s launch of an anti-terrorism operation in Karabakh against illegal military forces in the region. After the talks, President Ilham Aliyev expressed his willingness to continue peace negotiations between the two countries in Tbilisi. He extended an invitation to the Armenian side to convene in Tbilisi for discussions. Additionally, President Aliyev expressed readiness to send Azerbaijani officials to Georgia if Armenia shows its willingness for engagement. This approach could potentially facilitate the signing of a peace agreement between the two conflicting states in a neutral third country of the region.

Following the Second Karabakh war, Azerbaijan consistently emphasized Tbilisi’s role as a mediator. Tbilisi has also actively facilitated cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia on various matters. Notably, the recent meeting between the prime ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia suggests that Tbilisi will assume a renewed role in the ongoing Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process.

Despite Azerbaijan’s support for the continuation of peace talks with Armenia with the mediation of Brussels, Baku was dissatisfied with the latest Granada Declaration related to the Armenian-Azerbaijan peace process. The quadrilateral declaration, signed during the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Granada on October 5, 2023, was signed without the inclusion of Azerbaijan. This idea was backed by France, Germany, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Surprisingly, these four parties anticipated Azerbaijan’s support for this declaration. However, during a phone discussion with Charles Michel, President Aliyev expressed his belief that accepting the quadrilateral declaration in Granada without Azerbaijan’s involvement was inappropriate. As a result, without Azerbaijan’s participation, the declaration was unlikely to lead to any positive results.

Preceding the Granada meeting, Azerbaijan had actively advocated for the inclusion of Turkey, recognizing its pivotal role as an ally of Azerbaijan and a key regional player. Given the direct implications of the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process on the Turkey-Armenia normalization process, Turkey’s participation could have significantly broadened the scope of regional reconciliation efforts. However, due to Armenian and French opposition to Turkey’s participation, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev chose not to attend the Granada summit. As a result, the adoption of the Granada Declaration without Azerbaijan’s approval damaged Europe’s position in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks. According to Azerbaijani perspective, the losses in the Brussels process are due to France’s intervention in favor of Armenia, which has harmed the mediation process.

Following Azerbaijan’s absence from the Granada meeting, Charles Michel extended an invitation to the leaders of both countries to convene in Brussels at the end of October. However, no meeting took place. Press reports suggested that Brussels sought to frame this meeting based on the principles outlined in the Granada declaration, which Azerbaijan did not endorse. Consequently, the role of Georgian mediation has become even more crucial in the ongoing peace process.

The diminished efficacy of the Brussels process has elevated Georgia’s position as a promising new negotiation platform. Conducting peace talks in Georgia carries significant implications for regional cooperation and normalization. Georgia has close relationships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a regional state, facilitating the signing of a peace agreement between its neighboring countries is critical not only for regional stability but also for ensuring the harmonious coexistence of Azerbaijani and Armenian communities within Georgia. Notably, Georgia serves as an example of peaceful coexistance between these two ethnic groups. Therefore, the continuation of the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Georgia may result in the signing of a real peace agreement.

The prospect of both tripartite and bilateral meetings in Tbilisi holds the potential to catalyze Azerbaijan-Georgia-Armenia trilateral cooperation, serving as a robust foundation for fostering enduring peace in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan has effectively forged various trilateral cooperation formats in its foreign policy, exemplified by the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey partnership, which have made significant achievements in terms of regional cooperation. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasized this point, saying, “If we are successful in signing a peace agreement with Armenia, a new political situation will emerge in the region.” South Caucasus states may begin trilateral cooperation. It is possible to have energy security, transportation, trade, and mutual capital investment.” Notably, this message to Armenia highlights the prospect of participation in regional energy and transport initiatives, which will serve as a useful stimulus in the event of a successful peace agreement, which represents a significant opportunity for Armenia.

Armenia might learn from the peace and cooperation established between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Azerbaijan for the past 30 years has emerged as a reliable energy partner and investor for Georgia while Georgia has evolved into an important transit country, effectively managing the movement of Azerbaijani energy resources to global markets, thereby creating a strong relationship based on mutual reliance. President Aliyev’s latest speech might be interpreted as Azerbaijan’s serious offering of peace to Armenia. Given the events that have transpired in the Caucasus, it is importand to explore new opportunities for cooperation and normalization in the region. Prioritizing peace and cooperation over war and hatred is essential to ensure a better future for generations to come.

https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/10/31/tbilisi-took-active-role-for-azerbaijan-armenian-peace-negotiations/

Professor Murphy Urges World Court to Protect Ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh

Kanayan Tamar
George Washington Univ. DC
Oct 30 2023

GW Law's Manatt/Ahn Professor of International Law Sean D. Murphy argued before the International Court of Justice (World Court) in The Hague, Netherlands, seeking protections for ethnic Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh in September.

Appearing on behalf of the Republic of Armenia, Professor Murphy urged the World Court to issue against Azerbaijan an Order for interim measures of protection, requiring Azerbaijan to take various steps to allow more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians, including some 30,000 children, to return to their ancestral homeland. Such steps include granting unfettered access to Nagorno-Karabakh for a UN monitoring mission, as well as access by the International Committee of the Red Cross. 

“Azerbaijan launched a major military operation against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, which prompted these ethnic Armenians to immediately flee from Azerbaijan to Armenia, and it is imperative that the Court now help create the conditions that will allow for their return,” said Professor Murphy. He noted that the Court’s jurisdiction arises from the ratification by both countries of the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

A video of Professor Murphy’s argument may be found at here (top video, from 1:26:13 to 1:54:52) and further information on the case may be found here.

https://www.law.gwu.edu/professor-murphy-urges-world-court-protect-ethnic-armenians-nagorno-karabakh

One month after the start of the Azerbaijani offensive, 20 arrested so far for speaking out against Nagorno Karabakh War.

Kajoyan Gevork
Oct 31 2023

On 19th September 2023, Azerbaijan began “anti-terrorist activities” in Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming to want to “restore constitutional order” and expel alleged Armenian troops. After intense fighting, local Armenian forces in the self-styled republic agreed to be disarmed and disbanded. As a result, a Russian-brokered ceasefire was declared on 20th September 2023, ending the fighting after 24 hours. On 21st September, the region’s separatist leader, Samvel Shakhramanyan, signed a decree saying the breakaway republic will cease to exist from January 2024.

The Azerbaijani offensive led to a humanitarian crisis, the full extent and impact of which are yet to be seen. According to Crisis Group, on the evening of 29th September, authorities in Yerevan reported that nearly 100,000 people – more than 80 per cent of the enclave’s population – had crossed into Armenia. The fighting has also reportedly caused civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries, and infrastructure such as homes, hospitals and schools has been largely destroyed, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

As previously reported on the CIVICUS Monitor, from December 2022, a four-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, by Azerbaijani “environmentalists” had disrupted the free flow of goods into the region, leaving the Armenian population without access to food, medicine and fuel. The environmentalists stopped their protest in April 2023 after an official Azerbaijani checkpoint was established on the corridor, but the flow of aid to the region remained disrupted, further fuelling tensions.

Trade unionist arrested, reportedly tortured in detention

On 3rd August, Afiaddin Mammadov, a labour rights activist, was sentenced to 30 days in prison for “defying police orders.” He was allegedly tortured and denied access to a lawyer. Mammadov, the leader of the Workers' Table Trade Union Federation and a member of the Democracy 1918 movement, was arrested on 1st August and sentenced to administrative detention two days later. He began a hunger strike to protest the court decision. This is Mammadov's third arrest in less than a year for disobeying the police. The activist maintains his innocence and claims that the authorities are targeting him due to his labour activism. According to a colleague, while in detention, Mammadov was tortured and denied access to a lawyer. Per the same source, the activist was abducted by plainclothes police officers while on his way back from a demonstration organised by delivery couriers.

Villagers’ protest violently disrupted

On 20th and 21st June 2023, residents of the village of Soyudlu in Gadabay, Azerbaijan, protested against the construction of a second wastewater reservoir by a gold mining company. Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the police used excessive force and deployed pepper spray against the participants. On the first day of the protests, five people were arrested under Article 513.2 of the Code of Administrative Offences (violation of the rules for holding rallies, pickets and demonstrations), and one protester was fined 1,500 manat (EUR 800).

On 24th June, civil rights activist Giyas Ibrahim was detained for 30 days for criticising police conduct on social media. Several journalists covering the events were also arrested. The police also imposed entry and exit bans on the village for more than 10 days, further aggravating the tense atmosphere.

Both the Government and police authorities announced they would take steps to investigate the allegations that excessive force was used against the villagers.

Many arrested, prosecuted for criticising Nagorno-Karabakh offensive

On 21st September, two days after the start of the Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, OC-Media reported that the authorities had arrested at least five people who publicly spoke out against the war. Three people were arrested on 20th and 21st September for posting “banned” content on social media. Two of them were immediately sentenced to 30 days’ administrative detention, while the third person had not yet appeared in court at the time of publication of the article. Another anti-war activist was sentenced to 30 days administrative detention for disobeying the police, while a fifth person, Afiaddin Mammadov, the president of the Workers' Table trade union federation, was reportedly charged with stabbing a man and faces up to five years in prison.

On 21st October, OC-Media reported that Azerbaijani activist Mohyeddin Orujov had been sentenced to 30 days’ administrative detention for criticising President Ilham Aliyev on social media. The activist’s brother also claimed that Orujov was harassed and beaten at the police station. The same source reported that, since the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabakh offensive, some 20 politicians and political and social activists have been arrested on similar charges to the ones mentioned above. Most of those arrested stated that they were detained for writing articles critical of the government and the presidency.

ted-for-speaking-out-against-nagorno-karabakh-war/

Kansas National Guard, Armenia partnership stays strong with help of 35th Infantry Division

Mike Maghakian
Oct 30 2023

YEREVAN, Armenia – Members of the 35th Infantry Division staff met with the Armenian National Defense Research University, members of the ministry of defense general staff, and students of the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy September 1-16 as part of the Kansas Army National Guard State Partnership Program. The purpose of the visit was to facilitate discussions and training on mission command and the officer/non-commissioned officer relationship from a U.S. Army and National Guard perspective.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between the Kansas National Guard and the Republic of Armenia. Over the years, the Kansas National Guard has worked closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, Rescue Service, and other governmental offices and agencies, cooperating on military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian events.

Topics for engagements are chosen through discussions between the two entities and depend on the capabilities and interests of each.

“One of the first things we did was meet with the commander of the NDRU – which is the equivalent of the U.S. Army War College – and his staff and talk through what he wanted out of the engagement,” said Lt. Col. Jason Inskeep, deputy operations officer for the 35th Inf. Div. “And then similarly, we talked with the commander of the military academy to see what his intent was. A big part of it is making sure we are meeting the commander’s intent.”

Mission command and officer/NCO relationships were chosen as topics in part because of the significant differences between the two countries’ doctrines.

“Currently, they are in the process of revising their doctrine and looking at how they utilize their NCO corps,” said Inskeep of the Armenian military. “Their NCOs don’t have the same types of responsibilities that NCOs have in the U.S. Army.”

Discussions centered around the U.S. Army’s concept of mission command, which allows for decentralization and the execution of disciplined initiative.

Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Peplow, senior operations NCO for the 35th Inf. Div., also noted of the differences in the way the doctrine of the two militaries codifies officer/NCO roles and responsibilities, remarking that the concept of mission command might seem somewhat strange to militaries in other countries.

“The Armenian idea of how their NCO corps works is completely different than in the United States Army,” said Peplow. “I hoped to be able to give the Armenian officers a different point of view. We weren’t there to say ‘Our way is the right way.’ It was about having an open dialogue about how we operate and the success we’ve had with it.”

Peplow, who recently returned from the 35th Inf. Div. 2022 deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield, said it was helpful being able to provide real-world examples from his experiences.

“It was my first visit to Armenia and I didn’t really know what to expect,” said Peplow. “But I was pleasantly surprised with how open and accepting everyone was of us bringing a somewhat unusual, different way of doing things and their willingness to at least listen.”

With the Armenia/Kansas Army National Guard relationship being now well-established, Inskeep sees many more opportunities in the future to continue the conversations.

“Over the past 20 years, the amount of involvement we have had has only increased,” said Inskeep. “There’s a lot of opportunities to participate in exercises and instruction. The division is the unit of action for the Army, so it’s a good opportunity for us to teach what we know and what we do, and also for us to learn from their experiences.”

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/456824/kansas-national-guard-armenia-partnership-stays-strong-with-help-35th-infantry-division

Canada, allies have discussed sanctioning Azerbaijan, committee hears

Emil Lazarian
Canada – Oct 31 2023
Raffy Boudjikanian

Canada and its allies have discussed sanctioning Azerbaijan over its military incursion last month into the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh — which triggered a mass exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians into neighbouring Armenia — a senior diplomat told the Commons foreign affairs and international development committee Monday.

"There absolutely have been discussions … continued debate about when it would be most appropriate to use that tool,"  said Andrew Turner, Canada's recently appointed ambassador to Armenia, in response to questions from NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson.

Speaking by teleconference from Yerevan, Armenia's capital, Turner also said there's a risk that punitive actions could undermine efforts to arrive at a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"The pursuit of sanctions right now would risk disrupting the ongoing efforts at peace," he said.

"While we have not seen anyone take the route of sanctions, we have seen announcements from France, for example, about the possibility of military support, and that has caused Azerbaijan to withdraw from planned international meetings and discussions that could have helped advance the peace process."

  • NDP, Bloc call for sanctions on Azerbaijan following assault on former breakaway region
  • Joly announces more funding for Armenian refugees, stops short of threatening sanctions on Azerbaijan
  • More than half of its population has fled. Soon, Nagorno-Karabakh will no longer exist

Turner's testimony came a few days after Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly visited Armenia to officially inaugurate Canada's embassy. Asked by journalists about the prospect of sanctions during her trip, Joly said "everything is on the table" — which prompted criticism from Azerbajian's foreign affairs department.

Prior to September's military shelling operation, Nagorno-Karabakh had a majority ethnic Armenian population. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought two wars over the region, which is recognized as part of Azerbaijan under international law but had a de-facto ethnic Armenian government. 

Turner also pointed out that Ottawa has told Azerbaijan that refugees who fled Nagorno-Karabakh should be guaranteed the right to return.

Canada has signed a multi-country declaration to the United Nations Human Rights Council to that effect.

While Azerbaijan has said repeatedly that refugees are welcome to return, one expert told the Parliamentary committee that few refugees are likely to take up that offer.

"In my meetings with displaced people scattered throughout Armenia," said Olesya Vartanyan, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, "I have not met a single person who is considering returning to Nagorno-Karabakh any time soon.

"They have no trust in [Azerbaijan's] rule and are too afraid to return."

Vartanyan said Azerbaijan could build some trust by allowing displaced refugees to at least visit their homes and the graves of family members who have been killed, perhaps with assistance from international bodies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Some of the experts who testified disagreed with the ambassador's suggestion that punitive actions could drive Azerbaijan out of peace talks.

"Now is the time for targeted sanctions to be imposed on Azerbaijan," said University of Windsor law professor Christopher Waters.

"They would be a warning that Canada expects Azerbaijan to protect cultural heritage, to safeguard the few remaining ethnic Armenians, to preserve the possibility of the right of return for those who fled, and to ensure fair treatment for civilian leaders who have been detained by the [Azerbaijani] regime under the guise that they are terrorists."

He reminded the committee of how Canadian-manufactured drone parts wound up being sold to Turkey, Azerbaijan's ally in its conflict with Armenia, and then used in drones by Azerbaijan against Armenia in 2020.

Waters also pointed to how Azerbaijan has taken over some parts of Armenia's sovereign territory itself, and to Azerbaijani government rhetoric claiming another strip of land within Armenia.

Jean-François Ratelle, an expert in insurgency and the politics of Caucasus states at the University of Ottawa, also suggested the International Criminal Court could be another avenue for justice. He said Canada should support Armenia's recent move to ratify joining the body, which could lead to a probe of alleged ethnic cleansing in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

He cited the economic blockade imposed by Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh in the nearly 10 months prior to its military incursion, which largely stopped food and medication from making its way to the local population, as well as the exodus itself.

Bloc Québécois MP Stéphane Bergeron, also a member of the committee, suggested Azerbaijan could feel emboldened to attack because of its recent military successes.

"I find it particular to point to France, which has been Armenia's only ally in the last few months," he said, citing how Paris brought up the conflict at the UN Security Council and sold defensive weaponry to Armenia.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/armenia-nagorno-karabakh-refugees-1.7013145

Canada and Allies Discuss Sanctioning Azerbaijan Over Nagorno-Karabakh Incursion

Suren Karakhanian
HEAD TOPICS, Canada
Oct 31 2023
2023-10-30 6:52 PM / Source: CBCPolitics

Canada and its allies have discussed the possibility of imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan for its military incursion into Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians. The discussions aim to find the most appropriate time to use this tool without undermining peace efforts.

Canada and its allies have discussed sanctioning Azerbaijan over its military incursion last month into the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh — which triggered a mass exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians into neighbouring Armenia — a senior diplomat told the Commons foreign affairs and international development committee Monday.

Speaking by teleconference from Yerevan, Armenia's capital, Turner also said there's a risk that punitive actions could undermine efforts to arrive at a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Canada has signed a multi-country declaration to the United Nations Human Rights Council to that effect. "In my meetings with displaced people scattered throughout Armenia," said Olesya Vartanyan, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, "I have not met a single person who is considering returning to Nagorno-Karabakh any time soon.Children sit on a curb as residents gather in central Stepanakert to leave Nagorno-Karabakh, a region inhabited by ethnic Armenians, on September 25, 2023. headtopics.com

Some of the experts who testified disagreed with the ambassador's suggestion that punitive actions could drive Azerbaijan out of peace talks. "They would be a warning that Canada expects Azerbaijan to protect cultural heritage, to safeguard the few remaining ethnic Armenians, to preserve the possibility of the right of return for those who fled, and to ensure fair treatment for civilian leaders who have been detained by the regime under the guise that they are terrorists."

Waters also pointed to how Azerbaijan has taken over some parts of Armenia's sovereign territory itself, and to Azerbaijani government rhetoric claiming another strip of land within Armenia. He cited the economic blockade imposed by Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh in the nearly 10 months prior to its military incursion, which largely stopped food and medication from making its way to the local population, as well as the exodus itself. headtopics.com

Avoiding another war in the former Soviet Union

Ara Felekian
POLITICO
Oct 31 2023

By GABRIEL GAVIN

GEOPOLITICAL TANGLE — For weeks now, there have been warnings that yet another bloody war could break out on the edge of Europe — pushing the U.S. and E.U. further into a geopolitical tangle with Russia. Now, all eyes are on the South Caucasus to see whether a decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan can be averted, or if it will be added to the growing list of geopolitical hotspots that require attention from the West.

While the standoff has flown below the radar amid growing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo; as well as war between Russia and Ukraine and Hamas and Israel, the space sandwiched between Russia and Iran has become increasingly tense. Washington and Brussels have laid out clear red lines that have since been crossed. And there’s a growing suspicion that peace isn’t in Moscow’s best interests.

Last month, Azerbaijan launched an offensive to take control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, with thousands of troops and tanks pushing forward under the cover of heavy artillery fire. Within 24 hours, taking heavy casualties on the front lines, the ethnic Armenian authorities had surrendered, effectively ending thirty years of de facto independence since a war that followed the fall of the Soviet Union.

More than 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes with what few possessions they could pack into cars, buses and even open-topped construction trucks. Few think they’ll ever be able to return, despite Azerbaijan’s promises of “reintegration.” And the Armenian government has accused Azerbaijan of carrying out ethnic cleansing in the region, with concerns of more aggression to come.

While the U.S. and E.U. have condemned the use of force, they’ve been unwilling or unable to take a tougher stance. Azerbaijan is a close partner of both critical NATO ally Turkey and of Israel, and has also stepped up exports of natural gas to Europe as part of efforts to wean the continent off Russian fossil fuels. On top of that, Azerbaijan maintains it was only acting to take control of its internationally-recognized territories, and insists that makes it an entirely internal issue.

But concerns have been growing that Azerbaijan could be planning an invasion of Armenia itself to seize a strategically important transport route that would link it up with Turkey — known as the Zangezur Corridor. Armenia’s new ambassador to the E.U, Tigran Balayan has said his country expects the attack “within weeks.”

Now though, both Azerbaijan and Armenia are saying a long-awaited peace deal could be done over the next few months instead. Speaking to POLITICO, Azerbaijani foreign policy chief Hikmet Hajiyev insisted there was no plan for a confrontation and that the corridor project “has lost its attractiveness for us” because of alternative routes through neighboring Iran.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, meanwhile, said last week that a final ceasefire could be signed soon — and unveiled a “Crossroads for Peace” project designed to bolster transport links with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The move would be a major blow to Russia, which still has troops patrolling Armenia’s closed borders — once the frontier between the Soviet Union and NATO. With talk of peace in our time, Pashinyan has even hinted it might be time to tell Moscow’s military to leave once and for all.

The efforts to secure a diplomatic settlement would also be touted as a win in Washington and Brussels, despite the mass exodus and shattered lives as a result of last month’s war. Behind the scenes, Western diplomats have been fighting to avoid a repeat of the violence and prevent the worst case scenario from coming about.

And, at a time when Russia is reportedly seeking to stretch the West thin between conflicts in the Balkans, the Middle East and in Africa, it would be a rare moment where calmer heads prevailed and chaos could be averted. Only time will tell if that’s the case — but both Armenia and Azerbaijan are, for the moment, optimistic.