Author: Andres-Papazian

TURKISH DEPUTY PM – MINORITIES SHOULD RETURN, EVEN IF MISTREATED IN THE PAST

15:54, March 6, 2013

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc has urged minorities who
left Turkey due to ill-treatment in the past to return.

He made the statement at a conference organized by the Institue of
International and Intercultural Dialogue in the German Bundestag
on Tuesday.

According to Todays Zaman, Arınc said that “Turkey has no problem
with Christians, Buddhists or Hindus and that Turks only want peace
and brotherhood with Jews.”

“I want people with different faiths to live in peace in my country
and I even want those who left Turkey due to mistakes [by authorities]
to return to Turkey,” Arınc said, adding that the Turkish government
is doing its best to solve all kinds of problems faced by religious
minorities. The Turkish official described different cultural,
religious and ethnic minorities as Turkey’s “richness.”

From: A. Papazian

MEHRIBAN ZEYNALOVA: MOST ORPHANS IN AZERBAIJAN BECOME PROSTITUTES

15:23 06/03/2013 ” SOCIETY

In Azerbaijan, the majority of children who leave boarding schools,
cannot find a shelter and place of work, adapt to society with
difficulties. According to experts, this is dangerous for the society,
the Azeri news agency “ANS Press” says.

The agency notes that in the 2011-2012 academic year 976 homeless
children in Azerbaijan have left school and have started a
self-contained life. In 2010-2011 school year, 784 people from
the public institution for children (33 boarding schools and 6
orphanages) stepped into adulthood. At present, Azerbaijan has 43
public institutions for children, which brings up 9,776 children.

“These children need to housing and jobs. Otherwise, the desire of
make a living in an easy way may lead them to crime. For this reason,
these children need to continue receiving assistance,” the chief
psychologist at the Regional Psychological Center Dayanat Rzayev said.

According to the expert, in contrast to the period of independence
of Azerbaijan the Soviet Union paid more attention to this issue. In
Soviet times, the teenager who was leaving the orphanage at the age
of 18 were provided with accommodation, they received work without
any problems they received special care. Today, however, orphans in
Azerbaijan must take care of themselves alone.

As the “ANS Press” says, experts believe that more attention should
be given to young women who leave the orphanages when they get matured.

Chairman of the Public Association for Women “Clean World” Mehriban
Zeynalov told the “ANS Press” that in most cases, graduates of
orphanages get involved in prostitution.

“After coming out of orphanage, they find themselves in desperate
situation. Find it difficulties in adapting to society. Girls are
getting used to the microenvironment of the orphanage. As a result
of which they hardly get used to the macro-environment,” she noted.

The agency notes that there are special shelters in Baku. Thus, in
Nizami district building with 50 apartments is given for exploitation
for 100 people. Around 40 orphaned girls live here; they are 18 years
of age. They can live here and make up families.

“But these girls are forced to live independently, and have reached
maturity they make the smallest part of the orphans. Note that by the
data of the previous year 976 young people reached adulthood and were
forced to start an independent life. The problem of providing them
with living conditions and job remains unsolved,” the article says.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

VICTORY OF OUR PEOPLE IS NOT ONLY MEASURED BY OFFICIAL VICTORY – RAFFI HOVANNISIAN

NEWS.AM
March 06, 2013 | 12:58

DILIJAN.- Each of those standing at the rally is representing thousand
people, former presidential candidate and leader of Heritage party
Raffi Hovannisian said.

“Even according to the official data, we gathered 45% of votes here.

But the victory of our people is not only measured by the official
victory,” he said, addressing residents of Dilijan, a resort town in
Tavush Region of Armenia.

He promised that anyone who violated people’s rights, whether he is
a mayor or a police officer, he will be accountable before the law.

Raffi Hovannisian said Dilijan will become not only a banking center,
center of tourism, but also a center where people will return.

From: A. Papazian

RENOWNED ARMENIAN PHOTOGRAPHER IS BESTOWED HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE FROM TURKISH UNIVERSITY

March 06, 2013 | 13:44

ISTANBUL. – Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University of Istanbul bestowed
an honorary doctorate degree upon world-renowned Istanbul-Armenian
photographer and photojournalist, Ara Guler.

Members of the University Senate organized an event in tribute to
Guler, during which he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree,
Istanbul’s Agos Armenian bilingual weekly reports.

Taking the microphone upon the request of the audience, Guler said
he is happy that there is such interest toward him, and stressed that
he is involved in journalism for sixty years.

“Now, I think that photojournalists, documentary film makers craft a
visual part of human history. Doing all this becomes historiography,”
he noted.

To note, Ara Guler, who was recognized as the “Photographer of the
Century”-and who is also known as “the Eye of Istanbul”-was born in
the city in 1928, and he began his journalistic career in 1950. He
has received many Turkish and international awards and titles and
has photographed numerous world-renowned personalities.

From: A. Papazian

ARS KARNI CHAPTER HAS A NEW HOME

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

Guests and ARS Karni chapter member toast the opening of the new center

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif.- The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA (ARS)
Karni Chapter held opening ceremonies for the newly purchased office
in Laguna Hills, California on March 2.

Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian officiated the blessing of the new
offices, including the traditional bread, salt and water. He blessed
the ARS members and hoped that the new center will serve as a means
to advance the ARS work for the betterment of the Armenian people
everywhere.

ARS Karni Saturday School students were on hand to sing the anthem
and say the pledge of allegiance.

Lena Bozoyan, ARS-WUSA Regional Executive chairperson, and Rina
Adjoian-Der Alexanian, Karni Chapter executive chairperson, cut
the ribbons.

DerAlexanian explained that it is a tradition to hold requiem services
on the last week of February for deceased ARS members and benefactors.

She asked those present for a moment of silence in memory of Karni
members and in honor of their service and dedication. DerAlexanian
added, “Today, we remember Sirvart Babigian, Azniv Mirzayan and Marie
Zerounian, who are no longer with us, but forever with us in spirit”.

She shared her joy and satisfaction in achieving a tremendous milestone
for the chapter, remarking that it took many years of hard work and
fundraising to finally have a new center. She added that this could
not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the
chapter members and the support of the Regional Executive board.

Lena Bozoyan, the Regional Executive Chairperson said that this is a
very happy day for the board, since it is the addition of a new home,
a facility, which will help accomplish the ARS mission, particularly as
it pertains to the education of the young. She encouraged the former
Saturday School students to join the chapter. Bozoyan congratulated
the chapter and presented a plaque on this special occasion.

ARS Regional Executives, General Manager Jasig Jarahian, ARS Karni and
Sevan Chapter members, ARF Armen Karo and Hamazkayin Siamanto Chapter
representatives, Saturday School teachers, parents and students, in
addition to Karni members’ husbands attended the opening ceremony and
toured the two classrooms and office area of the new center. Donna
Varner, Chair of South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce,
was also in attendance.

The reception turned into an impromptu fundraising to help the chapter
meet its new financial obligations. The new center is located at
23232 Peralta Drive, Ste. 110, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

The Karni Chapter was founded in 1993. The chapter is named after the
Karni temple, which was built in the first Century, destroyed by an
earthquake in 1679, and reconstructed by 1975. Karni is located 16
miles east of Yerevan, Armenia.

The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and
with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more
than 1,500 members in five western states. The ARS-WUSA operates a
Social Services Division and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center,
and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief efforts.

For further information, please visit or call
818.500.1343.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CHESS MASTER BECOMES CHAMPION OF BRAZIL

March 6

Armenian Grandmaster Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian is declared the champion
of Brazil.

In the 79th Brazilian Chess Championship which wrapped up, Mekhitarian
tallied a total of 8.5 points, from a possible 11 points, and alone
captured first place, leaving his next two challengers half points
behind.

NEWS.am Sport

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE : VIOLENCES LORS DES ELECTIONS PRESIDENTIELLES

Publie le : 07-03-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Des violations des droits
humains pourraient avoir eu lieu lors des elections nationales de
fevrier 2013. Une enquete est necessaire pour faire la lumière sur
des allegations de harcèlement, d’intimidations et de menaces. Les
rapports des observateurs internationaux et intergouvernementaux
concernant l’election et la campagne electorale qui l’a precedee
ont ete globalement positifs. Cela ne doit toutefois pas dispenser
le gouvernement de prendre en compte les allegations de violations
des droits humains survenues au cours de cette periode. Amnesty
International a recu des informations faisant etat d’actes de
harcèlement, y compris des allegations d’intimidation et de violences
contre les electeurs et les observateurs. Le Collectif VAN vous
propose ce Communique de presse publie le 6 mars 2013 sur le site de
l’Amnesty International.

Amnesty International

Armenie

Violences lors des elections presidentielles

Des violations des droits humains pourraient avoir eu lieu lors des
elections nationales de fevrier 2013. Une enquete est necessaire pour
faire la lumière sur des allegations de harcèlement, d’intimidations
et de menaces.

Les rapports des observateurs internationaux et intergouvernementaux
concernant l’election et la campagne electorale qui l’a precedee
ont ete globalement positifs. Cela ne doit toutefois pas dispenser
le gouvernement de prendre en compte les allegations de violations
des droits humains survenues au cours de cette periode. Amnesty
International a recu des informations faisant etat d’actes de
harcèlement, y compris des allegations d’intimidation et de violences
contre les electeurs et les observateurs. L’organisation est preoccupee
par le fait que les autorites armeniennes semblent avoir parfois
neglige de fournir une protection adequate ou d’enqueter rapidement
sur ces agissements.

Narine Esmaeili, une observatrice internationale non gouvernementale,
a ete agressee physiquement et menacee par des responsables du bureau
de vote alors qu’elle protestait contre un vice presume de procedure
electorale. Narine Esmaeili a indique qu’elle avait vu un groupe de
25 a 30 hommes penetrer dans le bureau et se placer autour de l’urne.

L’agent de police qui gardait le bureau a ignore son observation selon
laquelle pas plus de 15 personnes ne pouvaient entrer dans le bureau
de vote, car il s’agissait d’une infraction au règlement electoral.

Alors qu’elle tentait de s’insurger, l’un des hommes du groupe l’a
poussee contre un mur et lui a maintenu les mains, tandis qu’un agent
du bureau de vote coupait les scelles de l’urne afin qu’un autre homme
du groupe puisse y deverser un sac rempli de bulletins de vote. Au
lieu d’enregistrer l’incident et d’enqueter sur ses allegations en
arrivant sur les lieux, les agents de police locaux qu’elle avait
appeles lui ont ordonne de ne pas parler aux medias.

Plusieurs journalistes ont egalement declare avoir ete menaces et
empeches d’exercer leur metier le jour de l’election. Des reporters
ont signale qu’on avait menace de les “egorger” s’ils tentaient de
filmer les irregularites commises au bureau de vote de Gyumri. Ils
avaient remarque un vehicule stationne a l’exterieur du bureau de vote
35-22 de cette ville. Dans la voiture, un individu non identifie les
aurait apostrophes en ces termes : “Nous filmez pas ! Pourquoi vous
nous filmez? Qu’est-ce que vous foutez la? J’vais vous egorger!” L’un
des journalistes a affirme qu’un des occupants du vehicule les avait
suivis alors qu’ils se deplacaient aux abords du bureau de vote
pendant une heure et demie environ.

Selon certaines informations, les electeurs de certains villages ont
ete contraints, avant de deposer leur bulletin dans l’urne, de montrer
ce dernier afin de prouver qu’ils avaient vote pour le president
sortant. Amnesty International n’a pas ete en mesure de verifier ces
allegations ni d’evaluer le pourcentage d’electeurs qui, dans ces
localites, ont ete forces de voter contre leur volonte. Toutefois,
de nombreuses ONG locales affirment que les pressions et menaces de
ce type ont ete très frequentes. Le chef du village de Yeghiapatrus
aurait menace ses habitants de les priver de toute prestation sociale
s’ils ne votaient pas pour Serge Sarkissian. À Pokr Mantash, le chef
de la localite et ses frères n’auraient meme pas laisse les habitants
deposer leur bulletin dans l’urne et auraient vote a leur place.

Les autorites armeniennes doivent veiller a ce que les journalistes
soient en mesure de travailler sans crainte d’etre menaces ou
harceles. Par ailleurs, les citoyens doivent pouvoir exercer leurs
libertes politiques sans subir de violations des droits humains.

Amnesty International appelle les autorites armeniennes a mener dans
les meilleurs delais une enquete approfondie et impartiale sur les
allegations de violations commises pendant l’election et a obliger
les responsables presumes a rendre des comptes. Les autorites doivent
egalement garantir la securite des participants lors des manifestations
et des rassemblements publics post-electoraux.

6 mars 2013

© Amnesty International, Section Suisse

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Amnesty International

From: A. Papazian

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIAN: “THERE IS A SCENT OF WAR IN NAGORNO KARABAKH”

APA, Azerbaijan
March 6 2013

Baku. Mubariz Aslanov – APA. “The current situation of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is likely to evolve into a war,” chairman of
Austria-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group Karl Ollinger
said at the meeting in Azerbaijani Parliament today.

He said the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has become tense:
“It should be eliminated and this spark should be prevented from
turning into a flame. This should be resolved only through peace
and dialogue.”

In response, chairman of the Friendship Group on the Azerbaijani side,
MP Javid Gurbanov said that Azerbaijan is ready to live in peace and
friendship with any country, including Armenia, but the only condition
is that Armenia must put an end to its expansionist policy: “If the
negotiation process does not produce results, we are surely ready
to fight for the liberation of our lands. The Head of our State has
repeatedly said it. Nagorno-Karabakh is not a subject of negotiation.”

From: A. Papazian

EGYPT’S EMBASSY IN ARMENIA SECURES RELEASE OF FIVE EGYPTIANS

AllAfrica.com
March 6 2013

Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Ambassador Ali
el-Asheri said on Monday 4/3/2013 that the Egyptian Embassy in Armenia
managed to release five Egyptians detained in Georgia for trying to
illegally sneak out of the country.

Egypt has no diplomatic representation in Georgia and manages the
affairs of expatriates there through its embassy in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH AMBASSADOR CALLS ASSYRIAN GENOCIDE ‘MASTURBATION’

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

Egeman Bagis

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-Turkey’s notorious Genocide denier and its European
Union ambassador Egemen Bagis has compared the Assyrian Genocide,
known as Seyfo, to masturbation, during a discussion with a Swedish
parliament member at an event earlier this year organized by Assyrians,
reported the Assyrian Television Channel ACSATV.com.

Bagis, who was attending an event organized by several Assyrian
organizations in the Swedish capital turned to Swedish member of
parliament Yilmaz Gerimo and said: “What are you Assyrians looking
to gain by using the Seyfo question as masturbation and trumpeted it
in the media and the Swedish Parliament?”

According to reporter Dikran Ego, who first reported the incident,
Bagis himself broke the uncomfortable silence that ensued, by
apologizing to Turkish Ambassador to Sweden Zergun Koruturk, saying
that perhaps his remarks were inappropriate to say in the presence
of a woman-the Swedish parliament member, Gerimo.

This is not the first time that Bagis has insulted the victims of
the many Genocides committed by Turks.

From: A. Papazian