Author: Andres-Papazian

New Unknown In Ohanjanyan’s Case

Gohar Ohanjanyan is one of the most ardent parents demanding fair
investigation of the death of servicemen who were killed at peace time.
Every Thursday she protests in front of the house of government. This
Thursday she fainted. `The reason was anger,’ she said after she came round.

What she told us sounded like a joke. Recently the Ohanjanyan family has
requested a meeting with the minister of defense Seyran Ohanyan. They had
questions to the minister regarding the investigation of the death of their
son, Tigran Ohanjanyan, who served in the military unit of Karchaghbyur.
They were told that the acting deputy minister Ara Nazaryan would meet them.

Ara Nazaryan met them, listened to them and said he would report everything
to the minister. On Thursday they went up to the minister of defense in the
street and tried to ask his questions. `What do you want from me? Didn’t
you meet with Nazaryan?’ he said.

This story did not sound like a joke to Gohar Ohanjanyan. On hearing the
minister’s answer she fainted. Perhaps it would not sound like a joke to
us
had we knocked at the government doors for five years demanding fair
investigation.

At last, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The conclusion of the
forensic examination appointed on April 4 was published at last. The
experts were asked whether the radio station in the military unit of
Karchaghbyur could produce an electric shock to kill the serviceman.

The experts concluded that the conclusion of the previous examination was
groundless because independent from the isolating material on the cable
there could be no current in it. R419 is operated on direct current of 27
volts and is unable to generate 180 volts. In case of breakdown of any part
of the station, the current could not pass to the transmitter.

An earlier examination had concluded that Tigran Ohanjanyan died from the
electric shock caused by touching the transmitter. Now the investigators
who consistently directed the case towards `electric shock’ have found
themselves in an awkward situation.

Now it is stated that there was no electric current in the place mentioned
as the scene of the incident. To escape this awkward situation, it is
possible to invent a new scene, for instance.

Suzan Simonyan
Lragir.am

17:42:09 – 10/12/2011

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Dec 10 2011

Head of Yazidi community wants office for Yazidi people in Armenian
President’s administration

December 10, 2011 | 23:29

YEREVAN. – Armenia is a state for Yazidi people. Yazidi culture is
developed only in Armenia, head of the Yazidi of the World union Aziz
Tamoyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent adding that 41,000
Yazidi people live in Armenia according to the latest census.

`The Yazidi language is taught in Armenia, we have a newspaper, two
unions. Everything is developed,’ Tamoyan said adding there are still
unsolved issues. `We would like to have a Yazidi employee in the
Administration of the President, Government, Parliament, Prosecutor’s
Office, and other administrative institutions. This is our request.’

From: A. Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
Dec 10 2011

Turkey’s MFA releases statement on Genocide bill

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has released a statement criticizing French
Senate Committee that passed a bill on December 7 criminalizing the
denial of Armenian Genocide, Turkish `Cumhuriyet’ daily said.

The Legislative Committee of the French National Assembly approved a
bill criminalizing denial of Armenian Genocide authored by Valerie
Boyer.

Turkish MFA expressed hope that similar steps harming the
Turkish-French relations wouldn’t continue and that France would have
a constructive contribution in reconciliation of Armenia-Turkey
historic disaccord.

From: A. Papazian

Lebanese President will see to fulfilment of agreements with Armenia

December 10, 2011 – 15:33 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Lebanese President Michel Sleiman promised to see to
proper implementation of agreements signed during his visit to
Yerevan.

As Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan noted during a farewell reception in
Sleiman’s honour, the Lebanese President’s visit to Armenia proved the
interest of both friendly states in further development of ties.

On December 8, Mr. Sleiman arrived in Armenia on the invitation of
Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan. Meeting with President Sargsyan,
Armenian officials as well as Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness
Karekin II were on the agenda. Also, agreements to promote development
of bilateral relations were signed during the visit.

From: A. Papazian

KVANT COLLEGE OPENS RESEARCH CENTER IN YEREVAN

Tert.am
10.12.11

Yerevan-based Kvant College, which is well-known in the city, has
opened a research center.

The college has seen significant support by Armenian Youth Foundation
(AYF) with the renovation, as well as obtaining equipment and relevant
literature.

“Reforms should be started from school,” said Karen Avagyan, the
board chairman of trustees of the AYF.

“And with this observation we, together with the Ministry of Education
and Science and the government, allocated 50 million drams [approx.

$130.000] to Kvant College, bringing this project to life,” he added.

Robert Vardanyan, the Director of Kvant College, said that the AYF
has helped to implement three unique programs in the college.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTE THREATENED – LARISA ALAVERDYAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 10, 2011 – 15:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Ombudsman Institute is facing serious
threats, with the authorities reluctant to address the citizens’
complaints, according to the first Ombudsman of Armenia.

At news conference in Yerevan, Larisa Alaverdyan noted the legal
system the most threatened in Armenia’s human rights field.

Commenting on the activity of current Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan, Ms.
Alaverdyan gave positive assessment to resumption of hotline service,
as well as the offer to open human rights protection offices in
Armenia’s regions.

In conclusion, Ms. Alaverdyan assessed the situation with human
rights protection in Armenia as 3 on a 5-point scale. “However,
there’s a major difference between the 3,5 point legislation and its
practical use which can be assessed at 2.10 points on the average,
” she remarked.

Nevertheless, the first Ombudsman is rather optimistic about the
development of the sector. “We’ll continue working to improve the
human rights situation in Armenia,” she stressed.

December 10, 2011 – 15:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Ombudsman Institute is facing serious
threats, with the authorities reluctant to address the citizens’
complaints, according to the first Ombudsman of Armenia.

At news conference in Yerevan, Larisa Alaverdyan noted the legal
system the most threatened in Armenia’s human rights field.

Commenting on the activity of current Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan, Ms.
Alaverdyan gave positive assessment to resumption of hotline service,
as well as the offer to open human rights protection offices in
Armenia’s regions.

In conclusion, Ms. Alaverdyan assessed the situation with human
rights protection in Armenia as 3 on a 5-point scale. “However,
there’s a major difference between the 3,5 point legislation and its
practical use which can be assessed at 2.10 points on the average,
” she remarked.

Nevertheless, the first Ombudsman is rather optimistic about the
development of the sector. “We’ll continue working to improve the
human rights situation in Armenia,” she stressed.

From: A. Papazian

HUMAN RIGHTS EXPO 2011 IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
10.12.2011 15:44

Human Rights EXPO 2011 took place at the Sports and Concert Complex
after Karen Demirchyan. Speaking at the event, Armenian Human Rights
Defender Karen Andreasyan said, in part:

“Dear guests,

With the aim of celebrating the International human rights day, we have
initiated this exhibition, which differs from other EXPOs also due
to the fact that we are exhibiting not our success and achievements,
but stressing the difficulties, failures, pains and acute problems
of our society.

Summing up the year 2011 we would like to present some positive and
negative developments from the point of view of the Human Rights
Defender proficiency.

Many of you are aware of my public initiative of requesting the
initiation of disciplinary proceedings for 3 judges. Yesterday the
Justice Minister expressed his solidarity to respective highest
judicial body and I received final rejections with regard to all the
three cases. This is my biggest disappointment in 2011.

Continuing to sum up the developments for 2011 I would like to
inform that that most part of the grounded complaints addressed
to our institution refer to the wrong calculation of a pension and
deprivation from the right of getting a family pension.

The highest number of positive solutions to the complaints addressed
to us were given from the RA Ministry of Defense.

Our legislative proposals were mostly accepted by the RA Ministry of
Health and the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

The most improper and unacceptable response to our public criticism
we received from the RA Ministry of Education and Science. However,
we positively evaluate the fact that the Ministry, even after such
a response, undertook regulation of the formation of textbooks’
evaluation thematic committees.

The greatest support from State bodies was our financial bid’s uphold
by the National Assembly during 2012 budget discussion.

For promoting our financial independence and for making our
extra-budget independent from the RA Government’s confirmation we are
grateful to the RA Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and RA
the Finance Minister.”

From: A. Papazian

ARTSAKH CELEBRATES THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION
Lusine Avanesyan

“Radiolur”
10.12.2011 15:01
Stepanakert

Today the Nagorno Karabakh Republic celebrates the 20th anniversary
of the Referendum on Independence and the 5th anniversary of adoption
of Constitution.

Exactly 20 years ago the people of Artsakh realized their legal
right to declare the Nagorno Karabakh Republic an independent state
that would independently determine its relations with other states
and organizations.

The Declaration of Independence of NKR was adopted on January 6,
1992, determining the bases of existence and development of the newly
established state before the Constitution would be adopted.

The Constitution was adopted through a new nationwide referendum
held on December 10, 2006, exactly 15 years after the Referendum
on Independence.

The Constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic guarantees the
internationally recognized basic human rights and freedoms

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA, LEBANON INTERESTED IN FURTHER EXPANSION OF COOPERATION

armradio.am
10.12.2011 11:37

On December 9 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received
his Lebanese counterpart Adnan Mansur.

Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandian noted that the visit of
Lebanon~Rs President would further reinforce the Armenian-Lebanese
relations based on centuries-old traditions.

~SI have warm feelings for Lebanon, since I started my diplomatic
activity in Beirut 35 years ago, and I have many friends in your
country,~T Minister Nalbandian stated.

Minister Mansur noted, in turn, that the relations between Armenia
and Lebanon are on a high level and his country is interested in the
further expansion of cooperation with Armenia.

The parties noted that the high level of political relations should
be supplemented by the deepening of cooperation in the economic,
educational, cultural and other fields.

The interlocutors agreed to hold periodic consultations between the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.

Ministers Nalbandian and Mansur exchanged views on international and
regional issues, particularly the developments in the Arab World and
the Artsakh issue.

From: A. Papazian

HAYPOST CONTINUES ENLARGING ITS BRANCH NETWORK IN ARMENIA’S MARZES

arminfo
Friday, December 9, 20:51

The national post operator, Haypost CJCS, continues enlarging its
branch network in Armenia’s marzes.

The press service of Haypost reports that on Thursday the company
opened three branches in Vayots Dzor region: Yeghegnadzor, Vayk and
the village of Malishka.

The branches have been fully modernized and computerized.

By the end of this year the company is going to modernize 50 branches
and to have a total of 104 branches all over Armenia. In the next
five years their number will be increased to 250.

Haypost is managed by companies belonging to Eduardo Eurnekian, an
Argentinean billionaire of Armenian origin. As much as 18bln AMD is
to be invested in the company’s modernization in the next 10 years
(10mln AMD within the first five years).

From: A. Papazian