From an Unconstitutional Rome Statute to Its Constitutionality: Why It Took Over 20 Years for Armenia to Join the ICC?

EJIL:TALK
Feb 8 2024
Written by Arnold Vardanyan

On November 14, 2023, the Republic of Armenia officially deposited the instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).  While the Statute will come into force for Armenia on February 1, 2024, officially making it the 124th State Party to join, the process leading to Armenia’s ICC membership commenced significantly earlier on October 1, 1999, when Armenia, among the first countries globally, signed the Rome Statute.

This blog post aims to delve into the intricacies of the considerable time lapse between the initiation of Armenia’s journey toward ICC membership and the eventual ratification. It will primarily focus on the analysis of the decision of the Constitutional Court of Armenia on August 13, 2004, finding the text of the Rome Statute unconstitutional, and the recent landmark decision of the Constitutional Court on March 24, 2023, revising the Court’s position regarding the constitutionality of the Statute, underscoring Armenia’s commitment to international criminal justice. What were the significant changes and implications that triggered this legal shift?

The First Attempt of Joining the ICC (1999-2004)

 After the Armenian Government signed the Rome Statute on October 1, 1999, following its ratification procedure outlined in the Armenian Constitution (1995 edition), the Constitutional Court reviewed its constitutionality on August 13, 2004, and found the Rome Statute unconstitutional.

The court’s decision was primarily based on two reasons. Firstly, the court determined that the exercise of criminal jurisdiction by the ICC contradicts the Constitution, designating the function of administering justice as an exceptional jurisdiction of domestic courts. Secondly, the court noted an inability to exercise constitutional functions such as granting pardons and amnesty to convicted individuals, particularly in relation to Article 105 of the Rome Statute.

While this decision prompted scholarly discourse within the Armenian and international legal community, the analysis of the Constitutional Court faced criticism for not comprehensively considering the ICC’s core principle of complementarity outlined in Article 1 of the Rome Statute. It overlooked that, as a court of “last resort,” the ICC intervenes when a national judicial system is unwilling or unable to perform its tasks, without having primacy over it. Regarding the second issue, the Court did not consider that the prosecution of international crimes is an erga omnes obligation, thus, it is not permissible to grant pardons or amnesty for such crimes (e.g., Abdülsamet Yaman v. Turkey, § 55).

Supposedly, the Armenian Constitutional Court’s decision was influenced by a nearly identical prevailing approach of other constitutional bodies, including the French Constitutional Council, Ukrainian Constitutional Court, Chilean Constitutional Court, Côte d’Ivoire’s Constitutional Council, sharing the perspective that the execution of the ICC’s complementary jurisdiction infringed on national sovereignty and the ratification of the Rome Statute requires constitutional amendments.

Following Constitutional and Political Changes (2004-2020)

As most of the aforementioned countries initiated constitutional amendments, primarily incorporating a specific reference to the possibility of accepting the ICC’s jurisdiction and ratifying the Rome Statute, Armenia also pursued constitutional amendments three times – in 2005, 2015 and 2020. However, none of them included such a reference.

In 2005, the constitutional amendments not only did not include any reference to the ICC, but also did not essentially modify regulations related to the domestic judicial system. There is no public source about the travaux préparatoires of the amendments; thus, officially, it is not known whether the inclusion of the ICC clause was even discussed by the drafting committee.

Meanwhile, prior to the 2015 constitutional amendments, the newly established drafting committee, headed by the president of the Constitutional Court, introduced a concept note in 2014, for the first time officially suggesting that: “Constitutional amendments should formulate the basis for ICC Rome Statute ratification, considering that some obligations resulting from the Statute were declared as unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court’s August 13, 2004 decision.” Although this suggestion restated the public discourse on the necessity of joining the ICC after over ten years of the Rome Statute signature, and the European Commission for Democracy Through Law (Venice Commission) provided a recommendation to ensure amendments’ cohesion with the Statute, the final text of the constitutional amendments introduced in 2015 refrained from including any reference to the ICC and essentially amending regulations related to the judicial system. This outcome was not foreseen, as it was presumed that Armenia had committed to joining the ICC. This unexpected development raised questions about the underlying considerations in the drafting of these amendments. However, considering that the drafting committee was formally attached to the President, who also led the governing political party, the deviation from the concept note of constitutional amendments was supposed to be a political decision rather than a legal one.

After the world-known Velvet Revolution in Armenia in 2018, a series of anti-government protests led to the overturn of the governing political power. Initially, the newly elected power did not discuss the necessity of constitutional amendments. However, in 2020, it proposed constitutional amendments solely aimed at terminating the functions of Constitutional Court judges who had been in office for over 12 years, resulting in the change of one-third of the Constitutional Court members.

Moreover, in the same year, the Prime Minister established a new drafting committee to prepare a concept note for possible constitutional amendments. The committee was reconstituted in 2022. However, as of now, the drafting committee has not presented any concepts of constitutional amendments and continues to operate.

The Second Decisive Attempt of Joining the ICC (2020-2024)

Following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020, which involved Armenia and Azerbaijan and concluded with ongoing numerous violations of international law in the territory of Armenia, the Armenian Government has turned to international judicial mechanisms, submitting cases against Azerbaijan at the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. Within this context, on December 29, 2022, the Government announced that, in response to the large-scale military aggression by the armed forces of Azerbaijan against the sovereign territory of Armenia, it is initiating the Rome Statute ratification process, with a retroactive recognition of the ICC jurisdiction commencing from 00:00 on May 10, 2021, covering the period of military escalation in Armenia started from that date.

At this time, on March 24, 2023, the Constitutional Court of Armenia, with three dissenting opinions, resolved that there was no longer any constitutional contradiction regarding the Rome Statute. In light of the Court’s previous decision, it reconsidered the constitutionality of the principle of complementarity and Article 105 of the Rome Statute.

 Regarding the issue of complementarity, the Court, referring to the purposes of the adoption of the Rome Statute and the values protected thereof, stated that the protection and preservation of those values are fully consistent with the affirmation of the civilizational commitment of the Armenian People to “universal values,” as prescribed by the Preamble of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that their protection could not only be considered as a constitutional imperative but also an obligation for any State governed by jus cogens norms. In this context, by analyzing the principle of complementarity, the Court highlighted that the failure of the criminal jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia for any reason (unwillingness or inability) to ensure the protection of the peace and well-being of the world through the effective investigation and prosecution of those who commit the gravest international crimes cannot be assessed as an unconstitutional interference with the Armenia’s sovereign criminal jurisdiction.

Regarding Article 105 of the Rome Statute, the Court decided that the obligation of a State to enforce the sentence of a person sentenced to imprisonment by the ICC does not arise directly upon ratification of the Statute. Instead, it is an obligation voluntarily undertaken by a State Party through an international treaty. This treaty should be concluded in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Statute and is not subject to the current constitutional review.

Although this decision gave a “green light” for Armenia to join the ICC, it raises numerous reasonable questions. First, it questions whether the Constitutional Court was allowed to review its previous decision from the perspective of res judicata, especially considering that the exceptional jurisdiction of domestic courts have not been constitutionally amended since 2004. Additionally, it prompts an examination of the legitimacy of the domestic and international discourse surrounding the necessity of establishing a constitutional basis for accepting ICC jurisdiction. This is particularly pertinent given that the legal shift from the unconstitutional Rome Statute to its constitutionality was primarily based on the interpretation of “universal values” shared by the Rome Statute and the unamendable Preamble of the Constitution. After all, obligations arising from jus cogens norms and linked to the protection of “universal values” were inherent not only in the Armenian Constitution but also in the Constitutions of numerous other democratic states specifically amended to join the ICC.

 Conclusion

 Despite the issues raised regarding the legal shift from the unconstitutional Rome Statute to its constitutionality, Armenia’s decision to join the ICC is a critical step, demonstrating its commitment to international criminal justice, even in the face of Russia’s officially expressed “dissatisfaction” over the decision. This move underscores Armenia’s dedication to ensuring the accountability of perpetrators committing the gravest international crimes. As an ICC family member, the next crucial step should involve the active deployment of existing mechanisms to address the circumstances that triggered the initiation of such a contentious procedure for Rome Statute ratification.

Dr. Arnold Vardanyan is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law of Yerevan State University and a Research Fellow at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. He holds…

Investigators look into possible fire safety violation in Yerevan suburbs explosion

 14:43, 5 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Law enforcement agencies are treating the February 5 explosion in a Yerevan district as an apparent accident allegedly caused by fire safety violation. 

A statement released by investigators made no indication of possible foul play behind the blast. 

The Investigative Committee said that a criminal case has been instituted under paragraph 2, article 357 of the Criminal Code which deals with ‘the violation of fire safety rules or requirements negligently causing death or other severe consequences.’

The cause of the blast is under investigation.

 were injured in the explosion at 34 Nor Aresh Street in Yerevan.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1129573.html?fbclid=IwAR3XwnX4GixsAFxgt4G-z0p-ArxBKnuTpq2GW1_xHfyWeqKYLHTzJpz1sJ8

Pashinyan chairs EEU prime ministerial meeting in Kazakhstan

 13:43, 2 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting, a prime ministerial session of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) chaired by Armenia’s Nikol Pashinyan has kicked off in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Armenia holds the EEU presidency for 2024.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov and Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko are participating in the meeting. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov cancelled his trip to Kazakhstan to return to his country because of an emergency situation at a power plant in Bishkek. His deputy Adylbek Kasymaliyev is representing Kyrgyzstan at the meeting.

Eurasian Economic Commission chairman of the board Bakytzhan Sagintayev is also participating in the meeting.

Before the meeting, the prime ministers visited the Digital Almaty-2024 forum.

Azeri constitution should be amended reciprocally, says Armenian Speaker of Parliament

 14:16,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan believes that the Armenian Constitution contains clauses that should be revised given all geopolitical changes and developments.

“We must understand in which direction Armenia is moving and what goals it is pursuing, and what’s the meaning of the existence of the Republic of Armenia,” Simonyan said at a press conference when asked whether the authorities consider removing the mention of the Declaration of Independence from the Constitution because it in turn mentions Nagorno-Karabakh. “Is that existence for us to restore the historic [Armenia Major], or is it about September 21, when we gained independence, or is it about the citizen of the Republic of Armenia who must be safe and have a prosperous life,” Simonyan added. The Speaker said that answers must be given to these questions, and that the answers aren’t unequivocal within the public. “Armenia can’t be something amorphous. No one can argue with us about this. The citizens of Armenia cannot not understand or know where their homeland begins and ends. Indeed, the Armenian highlands is my homeland, but I have a state called the Republic of Armenia. We gained independence in 1991 with concrete borders, and this must be clear and reflected in all documents,” Simonyan said.

Asked whether amending the Constitution is Azerbaijan’s demand and has something to do with the peace talks, Simonyan said, “I am urging you, and I insist, that from now on, in all the cases when you will ask such a question to Armenian officials, know that the same issue is raised by Armenia. The Azerbaijani Constitution, the Azerbaijani legal acts also contain provisions that should be reciprocally changed. I say again, any negotiations carried out by Armenia are done [reciprocally] in a mirrored way. Meaning, if there is a remark or offer to make the future peace stronger, this relates both to Azerbaijan and to Armenia.”

Lawsuit Says NH Guv’s Family May Profit Off Humanitarian Crisis

Jan 5 2024
BLOOD MONEY

A Sununu-linked mining company prepares to exploit resources in a disputed region as ethnic Armenians flee, according to legal docs and other public records.

As thousands of ethnic Armenians swarm toward the border amid Azerbaijan’s attacks on the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, a lawsuit filed in D.C. federal court lays out how a leading U.S. political dynasty—one that includes a sitting governor—stands to profit from the humanitarian disaster.

Azerbaijan assaulted the breakaway region earlier this month, after long obstructing the main aid corridor from Armenia, in violation of a Russia-brokered 2020 ceasefire. The Daily Beast provided an exclusive eyewitness account this past week of the unfolding exodus of Nagorno-Karabakh families attempting to escape violence.

The attack marked the latest stage of a long-running Caucasus conflict that dates to the early 20th century and which erupted amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when the province declared independence and gained autonomy from Azerbaijan with the help of Armenia. Nonetheless, the international community regards the area as part of Azerbaijan, despite its ethnic Armenian majority.

A lawsuit filed in July describes how, in the intervening years, the Sununu family—led by patriarch John Sununu, the former New Hampshire governor and ex-White House chief-of-staff—held stakes and positions in a U.K.-based firm that secured mining rights within the province from Baku, rights only an Azerbaijani reconquest could guarantee. Public records, news reports, and corporate filings support many of the suit’s factual assertions.

What’s more, according to federal filings that NBC News unearthed while investigating the dynasty’s interests in the Amazon, a family investment vehicle has historically held some of the shares in the U.K. company—a vehicle from which sitting New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu still derives income. The Granite State chief executive was the only member of the Sununu family to comment for this story.

“The governor has absolutely no involvement in the operations of Anglo Asian Mining or the operations of Sununu Holdings,” the present governor’s press team wrote to The Daily Beast in answer to questions about both the gold and copper extractor and the clan’s eponymous holding entity.

But the Republican, beloved to some for his criticism of ex-President Donald Trump, did not answer repeated queries about what financial benefits he might derive from Anglo Asian’s activities. His office also would not pledge that the governor would forfeit any potential returns from the company’s prospective business in Nagorno-Karabakh, so as not to profit from Azerbaijan’s alleged ethnic cleansing. Meanwhile, his 84-year-old father controls almost 10 percent of the metal miner, according to the most recently available corporate reports, making him the second largest shareholder in the operation.

The largest is president and CEO Mohammad Reza Vaziri, the defendant in the suit, which a Nagorno-Karabakh resident brought with assistance of an Armenia-aligned U.S. foundation. Neither Vaziri nor his attorneys replied to repeated requests for comment, and Anglo Asian declined to remark other than to point The Daily Beast to the company’s filings with the London Stock Exchange. Although Vaziri is the focus of the litigation, the complaint refers by name not just to John and Chris but to Michael Sununu, brother to the sitting governor and a local New Hampshire politician.

The suit dates the Sununu paterfamilias’ involvement in Vaziri’s Azerbaijani adventures to 1997, when the company first struck a deal with the authoritarian state to gain access to its metal reserves. News reports from that year listed the GOP statesman among Baku’s suitors for extractive opportunities, but the earliest document that The Daily Beast could find of a direct holding in Anglo Asian dates to 2005, when he joined its board of directors. The lawsuit further asserts that Sununu has a stake in at least one of Vaziri’s private companies, which The Daily Beast could not independently confirm.

From the start, the lawsuit notes, Anglo Asian sought and received mining concessions within Nagorno-Karabakh—concessions it could not access due to the territory’s autonomous status. Its interest intensified in January 2016 with the completion of an Armenian-owned copper and molybdenum processing plant in the province’s town of Demirli. An image from the site soon adorned the cover of Azerbaijani government report on Yerevan’s economic presence in “the occupied territories.”

The lawsuit highlights several subsequent events: on March 31 of that year, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev met with John Sununu while he was visiting Washington, D.C., and the next day, Azeri forces attacked Nagorno-Karabakh, an advance the lawsuit suggests aimed at Demirli. After four days of fighting, Aliyev’s forces withdrew.

But Azerbaijan grabbed back some of the territory four and half years later, prompting Anglo Asian to applaud in a statement to stockholders what it described as the “liberation” of one of its mining concession zones. After a month and a half of fighting, Moscow intervened to end the bloodshed, resuming its traditional role as security guarantor in its old imperial dominions.

Weeks later, the lawsuit highlights, Anglo Asian appointed Michael Sununu—founder of Sununu Holdings, the entity from which Chris Sununu draws income—to its board. This means that of the company’s five directors, two today are members of the Sununu family.

Almost exactly one year after the 2020 conflict began, Anglo Asian obtained initial Azerbaijani approvals to exploit two sites within the still-autonomous portions of Nagorno-Karabakh, including the Demirli installation.

“The recent cessation of hostilities with Armenia has presented an opportunity for Anglo Asian to develop its remaining contract areas,” Vaziri told Mining Weekly at the time. “Following extensive negotiations, we are very pleased to have secured two additional highly strategic mining properties.”

In December 2022, Azerbaijan demanded access to one of the mines as a condition for restoring Nagorno-Karabakh’s food, medicine, and fuel route from Armenia. The move came precisely one week after Anglo Asian penned missives to the U.S., U.K, United Nations, and the European Union complaining of “illegal mining” at its concession locations in the disputed region.

Despite these efforts, as of June of this year, Anglo Asian reported it was unable to access these locations, and the blockade of the corridor has persisted despite international condemnation and allegations of genocide.

However, on Sept. 26, Anglo Asian had good news for its shareholders.

“There have been reports in the press that the Azerbaijan Government has taken back control of the Demirli/Kyzlbulag mine, which is located in our contract areas,” an executive wrote in a London Stock Exchange report. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all Anglo Asian employees, partners and the Government of Azerbaijan for their continued support in what continue to be challenging times.”

The lawsuit against the firm has yet to make headway, and Vaziri’s attorneys have so far not filed a response to the complaint. Michael Sununu declined to comment for this story. His father did not respond to repeated calls and emails.

Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili summarize the results of the session of the intergovernmental commission

 19:23,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS.  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili made statements summarizing the results of the session of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia for media representatives, Armenian PM's Office said in a statement.

In his speech, Irakli Garibashvili said: "Dear Mr. Prime Minister, it is a great honor for me to host you in Tbilisi. We had a warm conversation with Mr. Prime Minister. We discussed important issues related to the cooperation of our countries in various directions.

We also had a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, where we also discussed important issues which referred to trade and bilateral relations. I must mention that the trade relations between our countries are developing, the trade turnover has exceeded 1 billion USD, Armenia is the 6th trade and 2nd investment partner country for Georgia. This should also be praised. Last year, we had almost 1 million visitors and tourists from Armenia in Georgia. This is important for the economic development of our country.

Last summer, we announced that we will sign a memorandum on strategic partnership. I want to note that we are traditional, historically very powerful allies, friends, not just neighbors, we have a very good partnership, we cooperate in all directions. De facto we were already strategic friends and strategic partners. Today we can already say that this reality was defined, and today we officially signed an agreement on strategic partnership. We are grateful to our Armenian partners, the two governments are called to further deepen the trade and economic relations.

Georgia has always advocated establishment of long-term peace and stability in the region. Mr. Prime Minister knows very well my position, the position of our government. We have always been ready and are ready to contribute to the establishment of this long-term peace, which will benefit the countries and peoples of the entire region. We look at the ongoing dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia with great optimism and hope. I want to express our hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan will soon conclude a peace treaty, which is undoubtedly important for our countries and nations.

I also want to note that both Armenia and Georgia have very high economic growth, and it is important to maintain this dynamic. Mr. Prime Minister and I mentioned once again that December was a very important month, December 15 for us, for our country. Georgia received, acquired the status of a candidate for the European Union and became a candidate for membership to the European Union, which is very important not only for our country, people, but also for the region.

I want to note once again that work on regional projects must be continued at a high pace. We heard Mr. Pashinyan's confirmed interest in regional projects, like the Black Sea cable project, we are also working on other projects, I mean big projects. I want to note once again that this day is very important and historical. Thanks once again to my friend, my colleague. Let me give the floor to him."

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said,

"Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear attendees,
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

The 13th session of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia was held today. I would like to express my gratitude to Prime Minister Garibashvili, our Georgian colleagues for hosting this session in Tbilisi.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to sincerely congratulate the Georgian government on obtaining the status of a candidate for EU membership, emphasizing the contribution of both the government led by Prime Minister Garibashvili and the people of Georgia in that process. This is a historic event for Georgia and the entire region.

I am happy to emphasize that after the restart of the format of the intergovernmental commission in 2019, the meetings are held regularly, greatly contributing to the effective functioning of the commission. Today we discussed a wide range of issues, from teconomy to trade and investment, from the energy sector to education, culture and people-to-people contacts.

During our discussions, we also touched upon the unblocking of trade and transport channels of the South Caucasus and the possibilities of creating new communications. We emphasized the availability of reliable infrastructure for economic progress, emphasized possible cooperation within the framework of transport networks, energy systems, telecommunications and other projects aimed at improving and deepening regional connectivity.

In this context, it is worth noting that the customs authorities of the two countries are actively discussing models of implementation of joint customs control at the border crossing point. This process will have a significant impact in terms of shortening the terms of custom administration, efficient organization of functions and simplification of cargo transportation.

I also presented to our colleagues the developments regarding Armenian government’s "Crossroads of Peace" project, which I had the opportunity to speak about and present last year in October, during my participation in the fourth "Tbilisi Silk Road" conference at the invitation of Prime Minister Garibashvili. This project is aimed at promoting the regional connectivity, respecting the sovereignty of states and the principles of equality and reciprocity. Under the current realities, when different routes are being changed, our region can become a new transit hub between East and West, North and South.

We emphasized that it is necessary to ensure inclusiveness in regional and extra-regional projects, which will enable all countries of the region to participate in economic processes, promote cooperation and increase efficiency. A vivid example of this is the Black Sea electric cable project, which Armenia shows great interest in joining.

Dear attendees,
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Today, the interstate relations of Armenia and Georgia were marked by a landmark event. We signed a joint declaration with Prime Minister Garibashvili on establishing a strategic partnership between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia. This achievement is the result of our joint efforts and work over the past few years and reflects our commonality and goal-oriented nature. However, this achievement once again emphasizes the need to multiply our efforts and not limit ourselves to what we have achieved, which we also talked about at the meeting of the intergovernmental commission.

During the discussions with Prime Minister Garibashvili, we also agreed to instruct relevant departments to take practical steps to complete the process of delimitation of the interstate border between Armenia and Georgia.

I also informed my colleague about the efforts made by the Armenian government aimed at normalizing relations with Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that belligerent and maximalist rhetoric does not contribute to the settlement process. I hope that after the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, the negotiation process will reach its full scale aimed at completing the revision of the peace treaty on the basis of the already agreed and well-known principles.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Prime Minister Garibashvili,

Summing up and giving information about our talks with Prime Minister Garibashvili, I would also like to say that we have made a joint decision to maintain and deepen regular dialogue at all levels with the aim of strengthening cooperation and overcoming possible problems along the way.

I would like to thank you once again, dear Irakli, for the warm reception shown to me and my delegation and wish all success and more efficiency to our cooperation. Thank you."

Empowering Unity: Highlights from the 2024 AYF-YOARF Council Weekend

AYF Eastern Region Council Weekend attendees

WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) has begun planning its initiatives for 2024. 

On January 20, more than 40 AYF members from across the Eastern United States converged in Watertown, Massachusetts to participate in this year’s Council Weekend. Members from all of the AYF-YOARF’s Central Councils gathered at the Hairenik Building to discuss and shape the programs that will define the upcoming year. 

The councils tackled a wide variety of projects, addressing the needs of AYF Senior and Junior membership and discussing ways to improve from the previous year. From initiatives that focus on educational programs to planning Hai Tahd events, this weekend served as an opportunity for members to bring their ideas to fruition while establishing connections with other dedicated AYF members. From beginning to end, the meetings were filled with stimulating and positive energy from each member for the new year, with the anticipation of turning these new and exciting ideas into impactful realities.  

As the meetings came to a close, the attendees headed to Providence, Rhode Island to support the Providence AYF-YOARF annual “Varantian” Ball. After a long day of hard work, the Council Weekend participants socialized and enjoyed the “Varantian” Ball alongside the local Providence community.

Council members offered their thoughts on the weekend.

“Council Weekend was a great space to connect with new ungers from all across the region in the heart of the region, the Hairenik in Watertown, to come together in person to work on advancing all of the continued hard work and success of the AYF. It was so great to see so many ungers from all across the region coming together to continue to uphold all pillars of the AYF.” – Leana Hacopian, Central Educational Council 

“It was a very cool experience, getting to work with my council in person and lay out the groundwork for the year. This weekend made me excited for what’s to come, and I’m very grateful I get to play a part in helping the organization run.” – Aleen Soulakian, Central Camp Haiastan Council 

“Attending Council Weekend was such a great experience, and it helped to jump start so many creative ideas that all of our great ungers have. Coming together in spaces like this continues to promote our ungeragan spirit throughout the whole region.” – Jero Mouradian, Junior Seminar Council 

“I truly enjoyed meeting in person with the Central Camp Javakhk council and creating a plan for how we are going to ensure the best summer possible for our campers this year. Ending the weekend with the ‘Varantian’ Ball was such a fun and meaningful celebration of the AYF.” – Mimi Bijimenian, Central Camp Javakhk Council

“Council weekend was successful and productive! I had a great time collaborating with fellow AYF members on both Educational and Junior Councils and working together to plan a well-coordinated year.” – Talar Hovsepian, Central Educational Council

“As a first-time member of a council and as an attendee of Council Weekend, I found that it unfolded as a truly unique experience. Working with the rest of my council, I felt I was accepted with open arms while being guided through the process of not only working with a council, but what the council does overall. The event not only broadened my perspective, but also provided a valuable introduction to the dynamics of my council’s specific activities and efforts within the AYF.” – Vartkaes Pamboukian, Central Junior Council 

“Council Weekend was a great opportunity for our council, allowing us to meet in person, get to know each other, bounce ideas off each other, and was a start to a successful year.” – Nicole Santerian, Central Camp Haiastan Council 

The invigorating energy of the weekend, combined with the collaborative spirit of each member, served as a catalyst for optimism and renewed determination for the new year. The AYF-YOARF Eastern Region is ready for another successful year.

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.


Statements from Baku may give impression of deliberately bringing peace process to dead end –PM

 14:18,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Statements coming from official Baku may give the impression that Azerbaijan is intentionally attempting to derail the peace process, but even in this case, Armenia does not want to change its strategy, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting of his Civil Contract party on Saturday.

Statements by official Baku may even create the impression that Azerbaijan is deliberately trying to bring the peace process to a dead end, pursuing some further goals. However, even with such an interpretation, I think we should not change our strategy.

''Our strategy has been and should continue to be the strengthening of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia based on the Alma-Ata Declaration, as it expresses  the understanding of the entire international community," said the Prime Minister, emphasizing that Armenia's strategy should be based on the legitimacy.



Armenian President meets with Amnesty International Secretary-General in Davos

 14:02,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan has met with Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

President Khachaturyan and Callamard discussed the humanitarian situation and existing challenges in the region in the aftermath of the forced displacement of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023. In this context, the Armenian President and the Amnesty International Secretary-General reiterated the imperative of the rule of international legal norms and fundamental human rights. They also discussed the Armenian government’s rapidly deployed relief programs for the forcibly displaced persons.

President Khachaturyan and Secretary-General Agnes Callamard both lauded the nearly 30 years of effective partnership between Armenia and Amnesty International and agreed to make efforts to strengthen and enhance cooperation.




Our task is to align the diplomatic languages of both Armenia and Azerbaijan with legitimacy, says Pashinyan

 18:18,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS.  During Wednesday’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly of Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded to opposition lawmaker Agnesa Khamoyan, stating that legitimacy is the political and diplomatic defense strategy of Armenia. The question pertained to the limits of the authorities' 'giving' process, considering that Azerbaijan may not stop.

"It will stop at the legitimate borders of the Republic of Armenia. Legitimacy is and will remain the strategy of our political and diplomatic defense.

I share the concerns you raised. Moreover, I hope that the purpose of the statements coming from Baku is not to bring the peace process to a dead end.

I myself have noted that Armenia and Azerbaijan speak different diplomatic languages. Our task is to align the diplomatic languages of both Armenia and Azerbaijan with legitimacy,” Pashinyan said.