Author: Babajanian Karo

WHO WILL PA GO TO?
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:14:55 – 22/06/2012

The parliamentary discussion of the government’s program indicated the
key role of Prosperous Armenia in the parliamentary status quo. In
fact, Prosperous Armenia has become the cover of the parliamentary
opposition. This cover cannot be hanging in the air because it will
drop on the head of the opposition and will squeeze it. Meanwhile,
none of the two government poles needs a squeezed opposition.

For Robert Kocharyan who is getting more and more ambitious towards
both Serzh Sargsyan and his administration, the opposition is an
essential factor, and the key issue is to keep it under cover. Hence,
either Robert Kocharyan, or Serzh Sargsyan will sustain PA. At the
same time, during the ongoing struggle for this party they will hold
this cover above the opposition together by either edges until one
of them is able to hold the cover alone.

All the opposition can do is to accommodate itself comfortably under
it or to get out of it and stand in the scorching sun or simply fight
with Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan for Prosperous Armenia,
which is the worst option, of course.

Another option for the opposition is to think about a new scope in
which case neither Serzh Sargsyan, nor Robert Kocharyan will be able
to cover this scope with PA because it is not big enough

The new scope will not be another populous rally or street protests.

The new scope supposes new content, new civil benchmarks which will
force PA to open, thus depriving Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan
of the possibility to control the opposition.

By the way, it is not accidental that the criminal and oligarchic
segment has launched a counterattack and return of those who had
departed began after the opposition intentionally or unintentionally
took a place under Prosperous Armenia.

It is also significant that the criticism of Prosperous Armenia
focuses on Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, there is no other focus,
there are no other names.

PA does not seem to enter into conceptual debate on division of
politics and business.

PA does not seem to focus on the tax and customs system, the
shortcomings there, especially customs machinations, corruption risks.

To say that tax and customs reforms are needed or a light tax burden
for SMEs is necessary means to say nothing. Even the government is
saying these things. Meanwhile, the opposition or its alternative
is expected to reveal the mechanisms of corruption, protectionism,
calescence of business and government. In Armenia the role of the
opposition is not declarative criticism but revelation of specific
mechanisms.

The point is that when one reveals specific mechanisms, defines
the scope of involved subjects and points to the names of those
responsible, the society is provided with guidelines for control,
thus ensuring additional guarantees for their own honesty.

However, this is not the problem of PA. The problem of PA is to
cover the opposition which this party has perfectly done. Soon PA
will need to institutionalize this solution, independent from who PA
will eventually go to, Robert Kocharyan or Serzh Sargsyan.

In addition, Robert Kocharyan needs PA not only to come to power. The
internal status of opposition is equally important for Robert Kocharyan
to ensure his presence in domestic affairs. Therefore, it is possible
that Sargsyan and Kocharyan will finally agree on this presence not
to wear off in the domestic fight as a ground zero for the new system.

FOREIGN DEBT IS BECOMING THE MAIN ACTOR
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:07:55 – 22/06/2012

After the parliamentary elections and Tigran Sargsyan’s appointment
as prime minister, the IMF announced a 500 million loan to Armenia,
and the World Bank a 200 million loan. Besides, all these major
financial organizations approved the economic policy of the prime
minister though they notice some flaws. But loans are issued with
the hope that the flaws will be attended to.

All the oppositional parties of Armenia criticized the program of
Tigran Sargsyan’s government, blamed him for 14% economic decline. The
point is that the parties which were formerly conflicting have
now united.

The credibility of the government’s program and its concreteness,
of course, could be better, but looking from the other side, it will
turn out that all the four opposition forces appeared on the other side
of the barricade with the international financial institutes. And if
we take into account that these institutes, the IMF and WB, finance
the Western policy, we should note that the pro-Western Heritage and
other forces of Armenia come out to be against the pro-Western policy
of the ruling party.

This is a conditional division, nevertheless, those, who intend to
have their own candidate for president, should realize that they will
compete with not only the whole administrative machine, headed by
Serzh Sargsyan, but also the financial policy of the West. In the end,
it is not a secret that almost the half of pensions and benefits of
Armenia is paid on account of IMF loans, which goes directly to the
budget. Imagine, what will happen if the IMF suddenly demands back
its debt and does not issue the next tranche. Hardly anyone can doubt
that the IMF and others pursue their own goals in Armenia.

Is this situation thought out by alternative and opposition parties?

What can they propose instead and why haven’t they done it yet? Will
the Heritage appear in the “anti-Western” camp?

Actually the foreign debt is becoming in Armenia almost a decisive
factor. “Thanks” to it, Serzh Sargsyan, despite the pressure, didn’t
fire Tigran Sargsyan and announced about being a pro-Western leader.

What else Armenia has: it is already in debts up to the throat. Only
Tigran Sargsyan feels “pleasure” from this, who ensured guarantees
of keeping office.

Which path should be chosen in Armenia – a pro-Western or pro-Russian,
in this case, it is not so important,; it is not important, even,
which of these ways is more progressive. Because, by and large we are
found out to have no choice due to the foreign debt. Just as Serge
Sargsyan does not have any choice. And we are drifting to the West,
not because it is closer to our civilization, but because of someone’s
guilt who drew us into a huge debt.

What is done with the countries that have amassed large debts,
we see the example of Greece, and many other countries. Moreover,
these countries are suffering just as going with the flow, because
at some point they are forced to privatize all national goods, as
well as when they resist, they tear off their skin.

The opposition should request clarification from the prime minister
and president, why was chosen the “light” version of the debt,
instead of developing the economy. Such claims have already been
heard, but for now debts are treated as “vices” of Tigran Sargsyan,
but in fact Sargsyan is the “product” of the external debt bondage.

Of course, it’s too late to do something, because the debts are made,
and even spent, but if an open public debate is launched on this
account, including in Parliament, you can try to determine the level
of impact of this factor in the choice of RA and may neutralize it.

OSCE OFFICE TRAINS ARMENIAN LAWYERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS ON THIRD PARTY LEGAL INTERVENTIONS

armradio.am
22.06.2012 12:22

A two-day training workshop for some 25 lawyers and human rights
defenders from non-governmental organizations on third party
intervention (amicus curiae) in constitutional and international
human rights procedures started in Yerevan today.

The workshop is organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the
Armenian Chamber of Advocates to build the capacity of Armenian
advocates and civil society representatives in preparing amicus curiae
briefs for the Armenian Constitutional Court and the European Court
of Human Rights as a supplementary method in the protection of human
rights in Armenia.

Amicus curiae is a legal term meaning “friend of a court” that refers
to a non-party to the case who volunteers to offer information on
an arguable point of law or some other aspects of the case to assist
the court in deciding a matter before it. Its aim is to further the
efficiency of the court by advancing the legal arguments on what
implication the case may have on people other than the parties to
the case.

“With this workshop, we seek to strengthen the capacity and create
avenues for lawyers and civil society to provide input into the
constitutional court decision-making process,” said Maria Silvanyan,
National Legal Adviser at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “The amicus
briefs, as a source of additional evidence and arguments for the
court’s reasoning, have also proved to be beneficial for the quality
of justice.”

The training workshop is run by Padraig Hughes, an international
expert from Interights (London), and local attorney Vahe Grigoryan.

Participants will be introduced to the definition and background of
amicus curiae briefs, discuss the role of NGOs in international and
domestic proceedings and engage in practical exercises.

“The concept of amicus curiae remains as yet underdeveloped in Armenia,
but it is widely applied in the Western legal tradition, especially in
the common law countries and on the level of higher and international
courts. This tool may be effectively explored by civil society in
providing valuable information to the court about legal arguments,
or how a case might affect people other than the parties to the case,”
said Arman Poghosyan, Adviser to the Chairman of the Armenian Chamber
of Advocates.

The workshop is a part of activities by the OSCE Office in Yerevan
to support Armenian judicial reform.

Yahoo News
June 18 2012

Scotland Yard to investigate David Nalbandian kick

By Chris Chase

British police will open an investigation into David Nalbandian for
his role in bloodying a linesman while kicking an advertising board
during Sunday’s final at Queen’s Club.

Officials ruled that the Argentine had to default the match to Marin
Cilic after smashing the sign with his right foot. During that brief
outburst, Nalbandian made contact with line judge Andrew McDougal and
sent part of the sign flying into his leg. McDougal was bloodied in
the encounter but suffered no other injury.

Nalbandian was leading 7-6, 3-4 at the time but was forced to default
the match, forfeiting his prize money and rankings points in the
process.

“We are aware of an incident at the Aegon Championships on June 17,” a
Scotland Yard spokesman said. “A complaint has been made and the
Metropolitan police service is now investigating. The allegation is of
assault.”

[Slideshow: See the best photos from the weekend’s sports action]

Assault?! Look, I think David Nalbandian should be punished more
harshly than the ATP is going to. He deserves a suspension and a hefty
fine for injuring the linesman. But assault? Unless the advertising
board moonlights at one of those white-wigged British lawyers or is
distantly related to Pippa, pursuing any sort of criminal case against
Nalbandian is ludicrous.

We could get into a whole debate about on- and off-court actions and
whether they deserve the same scrutiny under the law. But that’s
irrelevant to the main point: Nalbandian kicked a sign and happened to
injure someone standing behind it. He was wrong and should be dealt
with appropriately. That’s by tennis officials, not legal ones.

Armenian National Committee America Burbank
75 E. Santa Anita
BURBANK, CA 91502
818/562-1918

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Nanneh Chehras
818/562-1918

June 15, 2012

ANCA-B meets with Superintendent Carrizosa

Burbank, CA – On April 16, 2012, Armenian National Committee of America
– Burbank (ANCA -B)
representatives Silva Kechichian, Mariya Kupchyan and Ara K. Manoogian
held a meeting with Burbank Unified School District (BUSD)
Superintendent Stan Carrizosa to discuss possible partnerships and
collaborative efforts between the two parties in the near future.

During the meeting, ANCA-B suggested creating a long term partnership
with BUSD through which students volunteering for the organization
could receive school credit for their efforts. Superintendent Carrizosa
agreed to further explore the idea with school counselors.

Additionally, the group discussed the possibility of launching a
cultural sensitivity program for BUSD teachers through the Armenian
Genocide Institute. Superintendent Carrizosa welcomed the idea as a
voluntary workshop in the coming school year, which would roll over to
mandatory workshops after proven successful. He also welcomed the idea
of mandatory workshops through the Armenian Genocide Institute for all
World History teachers, which would also provide teachers with
supplemental books and course materials to be used in the classroom.

The meeting concluded with further discussions on ANCA Burbank’s
participation in the upcoming BUSD College Fair as well as the
implementation of the ANCA’s Path to College Program on BUSD campuses.
Established in 2007, PTC workshops cover an array of topics dealing
with graduation requirements, the college admissions process and
financial aid.

`We’re extremely pleased with how much we accomplished through this
meeting. In particular, the training program for teachers will be an
excellent way to educate and better prepare these instructors to
communicate with Burbank’s youth,’ stated ANCA Burbank Chair, Silva
Kechichian.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank advances the
social, economic, cultural and political rights of the area’s Armenian
American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic
participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

####

Photo Caption:

BUSD Picture.jpg:
Ara K. Manoogian, Mariya Kupchyan, Stan Carrizosa and Silva Kechichian

PACE calls Turkey to revise the Criminal Code

16:47, 23 June, 2012

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS: Strasbourg, 22.06.2012 – At the end of a
fact-finding visit to Turkey from 17 to 21 June 2012, PACE’s
rapporteur for post-monitoring dialogue with Turkey Josette Durrieu
(France, SOC) has urged the Turkish authorities to speed up the
revision of the Penal Code and the anti-terror law in order to
strengthen freedom of expression. Armenpress was informed from press
service of PACE that Josette Durrieu said that at a time when Turkey
wished to turn the page of a history marked by coups d’état and the
major role of the army, the detention on remand of numerous
journalists, academics, generals and students, interminable trials,
and the situation in prisons cast a shadow over the ongoing process of
democratic reform.

`The boundary between the exercise of the journalist’s profession –
which presupposes inquiry into the core of affairs – and the exposure
of journalists to charges of accommodating or abetting subversive
organisations must be made clear, as must the definition of terrorism.
These are some of the challenges to freedom of expression which must
find an answer in the revision of the Penal Code and the third and
forth packages of the judicial reform, which should be swiftly adopted
by parliament.’

`The efforts made by the Ministry of Justice to harmonise legislation
and legal practice with the case-law of the European Court of Human
Rights deserve to be highlighted and must be continued,’ she stressed.

`Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are fundamental
principles that should be expressed in the new Turkish Constitution,’
the rapporteur added, welcoming in that connection the setting up by
parliament of a committee on conciliation on which the political
groups in parliament are equally represented, and which is responsible
for the preparation and unanimous adoption of the draft of the new
Constitution.

Turquie : la CEDH donne raison à Halil Savda

Publié le : 22-06-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
soumet ce Communiqué de presse publié sur le site de l’Amnesty
International le 15 juin 2012.

Légende photo: Halil Savda lors de sa visite à Amnesty France – Paris
décembre 2011 ©AIF

Amnesty International

[15/06/2012]

La Cour européenne des droits de l’homme vient de condamner la Turquie
pour violation du droit à l’objection de conscience. Elle a reconnu
que les traitements infligés à Halil Savda ont provoqué des douleurs
et des souffrances graves et qu’il n’a pas eu accès à une procédure
équitable et impartiale.

Il est temps de reconnaître le droit à l’objection de conscience

« Le refus de reconnaître l’objection de conscience n’est pas une
mesure nécessaire dans une société démocratique ». C’est ainsi que la
Cour européenne des droits de l’homme (CEDH) a donné raison à Halil
Savda, le 12 juin 2012.

Après sept ans de procédures, la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme
a finalement rendu justice à Halil Savda. En concluant à l’unanimité
que l’objecteur de conscience et défenseur des droits humains Halil
Savda avait subi des violations de son droit de ne pas « être soumis à
la torture ni à des peines ou traitements inhumains ou dégradants »
(article 3 de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme), de son
droit à un procès équitable (article 6) et de son droit à « la liberté
de pensée, de conscience et de religion » (article 9), la CEDH
condamne la Turquie pour violation du droit à l’objection de
conscience .

C’est la quatrième fois en moins d’un an que la CEDH condamne la
Turquie pour violation du droit à l’objection de conscience, depuis
son arrêt historique de juillet 2011 dans l’affaire Bayatyan c.
Arménie, dans lequel elle avait conclu pour la première fois que le
refus de reconnaître le droit à l’objection de conscience au service
militaire était une violation de l’article 9 de la Convention.

Halil Savda s’est déclaré objecteur de conscience en 2004 et a été
arrêté de nombreuses fois et poursuivi à trois reprises pour son refus
d’effectuer son service militaire. Au total, sur cinq ans (entre 2004
et 2009), il a passé environ 17 mois en prison. Halil Savda a indiqué
avoir été victime de mauvais traitements en détention en 2007. Il a
dit notamment avoir été frappé à coups de poings et de pieds par
quatre agents, avoir eu un chiffon sale enfoncé dans la bouche, ou
avoir dû rester nu pendant trois jours dans une pièce sans chaise ni
lit et avoir été forcé de dormir sur un sol en béton sans même une
couverture. Aucune enquête digne de ce nom n’a été menée sur ces
faits.

Dans son arrêt, la CEDH réaffirme, comme en 2006 dans l’affaire Ülke
c. Turquie, que les poursuites à répétition engagées contre les
objecteurs de conscience en Turquie sont source de graves souffrances
allant au-delà de l’humiliation habituelle d’une condamnation pénale
ou d’une période de détention, et constituent donc une violation de
l’article 3 de la Convention. Par ailleurs, les condamnations répétées
d’Halil Savda liées à son refus de porter l’uniforme militaire pendant
sa détention, ainsi que son jugement devant un tribunal militaire,
constituent des violations de l’article 6.
Halil Savda est par ailleurs encore poursuivi par la justice turque
pour le soutien public qu’il a apporté à des objecteurs de conscience
et pour ses déclarations en faveur de l’abolition du service militaire
obligatoire.

Après avoir pris connaissance de l’arrêt de la CEDH, Halil Savda a
déclaré à Amnesty International : « J’espère que cet arrêt contribuera
à ouvrir la voie à une reconnaissance du droit à l’objection de
conscience en Turquie. Il faut des années pour obtenir réparation
devant la CEDH. Le Comité des ministres du Conseil de l’Europe doit
accroître ses pressions sur la Turquie pour qu’elle mette fin une
bonne fois pour toute à ces violations et qu’elle exécute les arrêts
de la Cour – ce qui ne pourra se faire que par une réforme
législative. Je tiens à remercier les organisations internationales
comme l’Internationale des résistant(e)s à la guerre et Amnesty
International qui font campagne en faveur de cette réforme importante.
»

Retour à la rubrique

Source/Lien : Amnesty International

Woman commits suicide in Armenia’s Gyumri

news.am
June 23, 2012 | 12:09

GYUMRI. – A suicide was committed Saturday in Armenia’s Gyumri city.

City resident Larisa Papikyan, 50, committed suicide, at around
1:45am, by hanging herself with a headscarf at the lumber room
adjacent to her house, Gyumri Police Precinct informed Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

A report is being prepared on the incident.

Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned that the woman was unemployed.

Prosperous Armenia rep on party’s decision over $40 million loan agreement

tert.am
12:31 – 23.06.12

In spite of the statements of the members of the Prosperous Armenia
party’s faction Vardan Oskanian and Gurgen Arsenyan that the faction
voted against the $40 million loan agreement between the Armenian
Government and Asian Development Bank, the faction has later convened
a sitting to review the approach.

The loan is aimed at the improvement of water supply, irrigation,
renovation of water removal systems.

`Frankly speaking, we have been guided with `of two evils choose the
least’ principle, understanding quite well that taking another loan is
rather risky and understanding that not always these loans were spent
effectively having many examples of it,’ Naira Zohrabyan said,
speaking to Tert.am.

She stressed that the decision has been reviewed as the party is going
to forward a proposal on declaring a moratorium on the loan projects
taking into consideration the issue of its riskiness and management of
Armenia’s foreign debt.

Explaining the decision to review their approach, she said during the
official campaign they visited different rural communities and got
acquainted with the issues of the farmers, mainly complaining of
irrigation, water removal systems which are in disastrous condition.

Naira Zohrabyan said stemming from the same issue they have voted for
the government’s draft on releasing additional 150 million cubic
meters of water from Lake Sevan.

AFFAIRE YEZEGUELIAN
Condamné par un tribunal parisien, honoré par la MAJC de Marseille

Ce mois est riche en contrastes qui voit Raymond Yézéguélian à la fois
blmé par la justice dans le cadre du contentieux qu’il a ouvert
contre NAM, et vénéré par la Maison Arménienne de la Jeunesse et de la
Culture de Marseille qui l’a désigné comme invité d’honneur de son
dîner du 23 juin.

Ainsi lundi 4 juin 2012 le JEX (juge de l’exécution) a condamné la SNC
Mont Ararat, société de Raymond Yézéguélian, à payer 2500 euros aux
Nouvelles d’Arménie. Il a également ordonné la main levée de la saisie
conservatoire sur tous les comptes de NAM. Arguant que le mensuel ne
lui versait pas son dû, ce qui est totalement erroné, la société de
Yézéguélian avait fait saisir tous ses avoirs banquaires le 6 février
2011. Le magistrat a ordonné l’abrogation de cette mesure ainsi que la
restitution des sommes bloquées. Il rejette en outre les prétentions
de la SNC à l’égard de NAM en terme de loyer ou d’obligation de
publier à sa guise ses encarts dans ses pages. Une décision dont il a
fait bien sûr appel, conformément à la stratégie de cet homme d’«
affaires » visant à épuiser financièrement notre publication.

On se souvient que Yézéguélian a intenté deux procès contre le
magazine. Un lié à sa lecture fantaisiste du bail et ses exigences
farfelues concernant ses publicités, et une autre au motif d’un
message posté sur le forum d’Armenews par M. Nicolaides et qu’il
estime diffamatoire à son endroit. Les diverses procédures engagées
contre la revue par Yézéguélian et sa société, qu’il a toutes perdues,
ont néanmoins coûté à NAM la bagatelle de 33 400 euros depuis que ce
tenancier de meublés a déclenché les hostilités avec l’intention
déclarée de tuer financièrement ce périodique reconnu comme l’un des
médias de référence du monde arménien.

Ce prédateur revendiqué de Nouvelles d’Arménie n’est toutefois pas à
un paradoxe près. Dans les pages de la version française de Noyan
Tapan diffusée via Internet, il verse des larmes de crocodile sur la
disparition du journal Achkhar. Et ce, au nom de la défense de la
presse !

Cette mansuétude ostensible n’a cependant pas trompé notre confrère
qui avait refusé l’ « aide » de Yézéguélian eut égard à son attitude
par rapport à NAM, mais aussi à la conception du journalisme de ce
personnage. L’édition en ligne de Noyan Tapan en montre en effet un
triste aperçu, à travers ce qui apparait comme une concentration des
pires turpitudes du métier : infos truquées, piratées, détournées,
mensongères, constituent le « quotidien » de cet hebdomadaire
distribué gratuitement. Une véritable honte pour notre corporation.

Outre la question de ses démêlés judiciaires, le fait que le promoteur
de tels procédés ait été pressenti pour tenir la place de président
d’honneur d’un dîner organisé au profit de la Maison de la Culture
arménienne de Marseille, en présence de nombreuses personnalités
locales et d’Arménie, ne donne pas la meilleure image du sens de
l’honneur qui y est en vigueur et de la défense de la culture qui s’y
pratique. Cette distinction est d’autant plus malvenue que le nom du
président ( à vie ?) de la MAJC, M. Garo Hovsépian, est associée à
celui d’un journal au plus haut point respectable : Haratch. Un
quotidien auquel il collaborait, et dont il se montre bien peu digne
de la déontologie en faisant preuve d’une telle désinvolture à l’égard
d’un média comme NAM en proie au raid meurtrier de celui qui fait
figure d’« autorité morale » de sa soirée…

L’argent n’a-t-il vraiment pas d’odeur ? Faut-il toujours se taire ? A
l’heure où la lutte contre la corruption et les ravages de
l’oligarchie fait partie des défis majeurs auxquels est confronté ici
et là notre peuple, devrait-on cautionner par le silence une pareille
déconfiture éthique chez nous en France ?

La question se pose aujourd’hui à la MAJC de Marseille qui dispose
cependant encore de la possibilité de se redresser en redressant le
tir. Errare humanum est, perseverare diabolicum

A.T.

Ci-joint le pdf du dernier jugement.

samedi 23 juin 2012,
Ara ©armenews.com