Author: Andres-Papazian

LIVE DEBATES TO MAKE ELECTIONS MORE COMPETITIVE – YEREVAN PRESS CLUB

TERT.AM
19:18 ~U 30.01.13

Ahead of the February presidential elections, the head of the Yerevan
Press Club (YPC) has proposed airing live televised debates in an
effort to make the campaign more competitive.

“It would be advisable for the Public Television to be the first to
propose such an initiative, but we also welcome a similar idea by
private [TV channels],” Boris Navasardyan told a news conference on
Wednessday.

In a statement, the YPC highlights the importance of televised
debates, considering it an effective platform in terms of promoting a
diversity of opinions and competitiveness.

Speaking of the candidates, Navasardyan said that they all – including
those with less publicity – now have enough opportunities to make
public appearances for introducing themselves.

“But introducing themselves is not enough. Analysis, unbiased
evaluations and impartial comments are important as well,” he added.

The YPC president said more than 13 NGOs have joined their statement,
adding that they expect more organizations’ involvement till the
voting day.

From: A. Papazian

HELSINKI COMMITTEE PREZ – “JUST A BALLOT, NOT AN ELECTION”
Sona Avagyan

14:42, January 30, 2013

Helsinki Committee President Avetik Ishkhanyan told reporters today
in Yerevan that what will be taking place on February 18 will merely
be a ballot procedure and not an election.

In other words, voters will be casting their ballots in a meaningless
process.

Ishkhanyan said that while he respected the candidates running against
the incumbent Sargsyan, none had the human or financial resources to
staff the election precincts with an adequate number of monitors.

He likened the situation in Armenia as differing both from democratic
countries and dictatorial ones.

The fact that what will take place on February 18 is purely a ballot,
not a true election, reminds one of the situation in authoritarian
regimes. On the other hand, in authoritarian countries, any possibility
of freedom of speech and assembly is ruled out, which isn’t the case
in Armenia.

Ishkhanyan placed a part of the blame on the fact that political
parties in Armenia haven’t fully developed and that the private
business sector is also not totally free.

From: A. Papazian

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS ON TURKEY TO INVESTIGATE ATTACKS AGAINST ARMENIAN WOMEN IN ISTANBUL

17:36 30.01.2013

Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to carry out
a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the series of
attacks on elderly Armenian women in Istanbul.

In the last two months, four attacks, one of them fatal, took place
in Samatya, an area historically inhabited by Armenians in central
Istanbul. All four women are Turkish citizens of Armenian origin.

The Turkish authorities have an obligation to investigate any alleged
racist and/or religious bias behind the perpetration of these crimes.

A failure to do so may amount to a violation of the European
Convention of Human Rights, ratified by Turkey, and the prohibition
of discrimination set forth by it.

Hate crimes constitute a serious form of discrimination. State
authorities have not only to refrain from discriminating themselves
but also exercise due diligence to prevent and combat discrimination
from private parties.

It is regrettable that Turkish legislation does not foresee any
legislative and policy measures ensuring that hate motives are
systematically and thoroughly investigated and duly taken into account
in the prosecution and sentencing.

Police insist that they are investigating the cases thoroughly.

However, Amnesty International is concerned at public statements made
by the authorities discounting the possibility of a racist motivation
to the attacks.

Amnesty International believes that the authorities must carry out
a thorough investigation into these attacks without discarding the
possibility of hate motivation from the outset and take steps to
prevent further attacks.

The incidents

In late November 2012, an 87 year-old woman was physically attacked
in the street. She was severely beaten and as a result of the attack
lost the sight in one eye.

A group of three men allegedly attempted to abduct another elderly
woman while on her way to the church on the occasion of the orthodox
Christmas on 6 January. The attackers reportedly fled after the
intervention by other church goers.

On 28 December, an 85 year-old woman was found stabbed to death in
her home. Her jewellery was stolen.

On 22 January, an 80 year-old woman was attacked and beaten as she
was returning to her home.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN GEORGIA CONTINUES CHARITY EVENTS TO HELP ARMENIANS OF SYRIA

18:58, 30 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS: In Tbilisi by the initiative of
Armenian community structures charitable activities continue within
the program “Help the residents of Aleppo’s Armenian district”. As
Armenpress was informed from press service of Diocese of Armenian
Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia, charity concert of
classical music took place in small hall of V.Sarajishvili Tbilisi
state conservatoire, in which professional artists belonging to
different nationalities took part.

Mr. Hovhannes Manoukian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of Armenia to Georgia, the Head of the Diocese of
the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop
Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, leaders of Armenian community structures and
public representatives attended the concert.

The concert began with the video presentation reflecting the current
situation in Aleppo’s Armenian district, which is bombed as a result
of military action. Show was accompanied with melancholic guitar music.

The winner of international contests and owner of Grand-Prix Natia
Mdinaradze, Regina and Kristina Mehrabovs, Lizi Ramishvili, the winner
of republican and international contests Yesai Abovyan, actress of the
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre Irina Taboridze, Georgia Philharmonic
singer Svetlana Tatoeva, the winner of many competitions Inal Jioyev,
Anri Mehrabov and other brilliant performers appeared in front of
the audience.

The organizing committee handed letters of gratitude to all
participants of the charity concert. The entire amount collected from
the ticket sales will be donated to the “Syrian Armenian Relief Fund”.

Charity events in the Armenian community of Georgia will continue.

From: A. Papazian

GYUMRI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL MATERNITY WARD RECEIVES MODERN EQUIPMENT FROM AUSTRIA

NEWS.AM
January 30, 2013 | 15:39

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Health Minister Derenik Dumanyan received, on
Tuesday evening, representatives from the “Austrian Association in
Support of the Children’s Hospital in Gyumri-Armenia” NGO.

The Vienna-based organization’s president Christopher Lechner briefed
the minister on the results of the 20-year cooperation, and noted
that their delegation is impressed by the positive developments in
recent years.

Within the framework of the memorandum that was signed between the
health ministers of both countries, Austria provided modern equipment
and medical items-worth around 380,000 euros-to the newly built
maternity ward of the Children’s Hospital in Gyumri.

And, this time, the Austrian delegation presented ten computers to
the hospital.

Lechner noted that the Armenian specialists will be trained again
soon, and the aforementioned NGO will continue to provide necessary
medical equipment and surgical instruments.

In his turn, minister Dumanyan extended his gratitude to the Austrian
government and people for their assistance and investments.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN-FRENCH BILATERAL PLAN SIGNED ON MILITARY COOPERATION IN 2013

2013-01-30 17:45:29

An Armenian-French bilateral plan on cooperation in military field in
2013 was signed on Tuesday by the head of Defence Policy Department
under Armenian Defence Ministry Aivazian and Military Attache of
France to Armenia Andre Evra, 1in.am reported.

The plan includes training courses for cadets and officers of the
Armenian armed forces, as well as measures for exchange of experiences
in the areas affected by the ongoing reforms in the armed forces of
the Republic of Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA RANKED HIGHEST FOR PRESS FREEDOM IN THE REGION

January 30, 2013 – 17:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The 2013 Reporters Without Borders World Press
Freedom Index was released, with the same three European countries
that headed the index last year hold the top three positions again
this year.

For the third year running, Finland has distinguished itself as the
country that most respects media freedom. It is followed by the
Netherlands and Norway. Dictatorial countries to occupy the last
three positions are the same three as last year – Turkmenistan,
North Korea and Eritrea.

Mali suffered the most significant ranking plunge (-74 spots to be
placed 99th) over the military coup. Tanzania, Oman, Japan, Israel,
Malaysia and Cambodia are also among those significantly ranked down.

According to the ranking, Armenia climbed 3 spots to be placed 74th,
Azerbaijan gained 6 spots to climb 156th, Georgia gained 4 points to
climb 100th. Turkey dropped 6 spots to be placed 154th, Iran gained
1 point to be placed 174th.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN CONGRATULATED NEWLY ELECTED PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

14:55, 30 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory address to the newly
elected Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian
on the occasion of his election as a Patriarch.

The Press Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia informed
“Armenpress” that the congratulatory address runs as follows:

“Let Your faith and dedication reinforce our Church’s Hierarchical
See of Jerusalem and Armenian presence in the holy land, which has
age-old history and rich traditions.

Taking into consideration the unique mission of the Armenian Holy
Apostolic Church in the life of our people the Republic of Armenia is
willing to discuss and in case of necessity to assist Your historical
See in preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage and handing it
over to the future generations.”

The Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian has been elected the Armenian Patriarch
of Jerusalem. Solely celibate members of the convent could participate
in the patriarchal elections. The patriarchal election was held in
two stages. Five candidates were chosen in the first stage of the
elections by secret polling. In accordance with the Statute of the
Jerusalem Convent (1882) 35 year old archimandrites and bishops can
become patriarchal candidates. The patriarchal throne remained vacant
since Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Rev. Archbishop Torkom Manoukyan
passed away after the long illness at the age of 93.

From: A. Papazian

DIASPORA ARMENIAN GENERALS VISIT THE LINE OF CONTACT

14:59 30.01.2013

The high-ranking Diaspora Armenian servicemen, who have arrived in
Armenia on the occasion of the Army Day, visited the line of contact
between the armed forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Diaspora Armenian Generals familiarized with the conditions of
the soldiers at the frontline.

The Generals expressed gratitude to the soldiers who protecting the
borders of the Motherland and maintaining peace and handed gifts.

From: A. Papazian

LARGE FAMILY IN DESPERATE SITUATION IN ARMENIA’S GYUMRI

11:28 ~U 30.01.13

The Shirak Center NGO has released a video about the Ohanyan family.

The family – a married couple and seven children under age – live
in the 2nd residential quarter, 1st Vard Bagh neighborhood, Gyumri,
Armenia.

The parents do not work, allowance being the only means of the family.

From: A. Papazian