Author: Badalian Vardan

HERITAGE LEADER HAPPY ABOUT AUSTRALIAN STATE’S RESOLUTION

tert.am
25.10.12

The leader of the opposition Heritage party, Raffi Hovhannisyan,
has praised the New South Wales Legislative Council’s resolution on
recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh.

According to a press release by the party, the politician said that
the legal measure by the Australian state surpasses all the efforts
Armenia has so far taken in that direction.

“I am happy that the Australian government has not considered a new
state’s recognition unconstitutional,” Hovhannisyan said, calling
for appropriate measures by the Armenian president, prime minister
and minister of justice.

WHO WILL RESIGN FIRST?
JAMES HAKOBYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:53:05 – 25/10/2012

4 inmates of Nubarashen prison have gone on hunger protest against
the treatment they undergo, and one of them has even cut his finger
and sent it to the editorial office of Henaran News Website to attract
the attention of the press and the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The issue of penitentiaries remains urgent. Besides the inhuman
conditions there is also a serious issue of internal relations and
treatment of inmates.

The government officials admit these things but the situation does
not change even after establishment of cooperation with European
organizations and civil society monitoring groups which visit prisons
and observe the situation. In the long run, the situation remains
worrying.

One can only imagine what a person has experienced and what kind of
treatment he has undergone to cut his own finger and send it to press.

When the famous video of the Georgian prison appeared during the
Georgian parliamentary election, Georgia went on protest, young
people took to streets, and some officials, including ministers,
resigned. In Armenia some people announced “here you are, Saakashvili
and his reforms”.

Now this is an opportunity for them to leave alone Saakashvili and
think for Armenia, the situation in prisons. We have not had similar
videos though few people will doubt that similar cases happen but are
not made known to the public. However, even if there is no violence,
it does not mean that there is no inhuman, contemptuous, indifferent
treatment of inmates which is any milder than physical violence.

Hence, in Armenia there are just as many reasons for some relevant
officials to resign as in Georgia. And there are also as many reasons
for indignation as in Georgia. Who will resign for the inmate’s cut
finger? And not only the finger but also the phenomenon.

Recently the minister of justice Hrair Tovmasyan and the head of the
department of penitentiaries and ex-minister of home affairs Haik
Harutyunyan have visited the site of the new prison currently under
construction. According to official announcements, it will comply
with international standards. The international standards require
the resignation of a relevant high-ranking official whenever there
is a scandal involving an inmate who cuts his finger out of despair.

Who will resign, Hrair Tovmasyan who assures that the public
administration system will have been improved considerably after
the completion of judicial reforms or the head of department of
penitentiaries Haik Harutyunyan who was the chief of police on 1
March 2008?

Who will be dismissed by Serzh Sargsyan if nobody volunteers to resign?

When Hrair Tovmasyan was appointed, everyone had positive expectations
and he was perceived as evidence of real change in Armenia. The
minister focused on the “innocent” aspects of the system, such as
notary and civilian registry. Meanwhile, the steps relating to the
world of penitentiaries seem to be too slow, and every wasted day
may ruin the destiny of a person.

It was also clear that Hrair Tovmasyan would hardly succeed in this
regard as long as Haik Harutyunyan, the ex-chief of police, one of
the fossilized symbols of the system, is the head of the department
of penitentiaries.

One of them must leave. Certainly, Haik Harutyunyan is not the only
hindrance to Hrait Tovmasyan’s success, and it is not true that
Tovmasyan’s failure is due to such obstacles, while Tovmasyan is
someone impeccable. Not, of course. But as long as Haik Harutyunyan
is there, Tovmasyan will not succeed, even if he wants that very much.

So, first Harutyunyan must be removed from Tovmasyan’s way. Second,
rigid and stiff requirements should be set for the outcome of
Tovmasyan’s activities.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN OBSERVED THE MAIN STAGE OF THE MILITARY EXERCISES IN NKR

!prettyPhoto
23.10.2012

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
on a working visit, together with the President of the NKR Bako
Sahakian, Ministers of Defense of two Armenian states and high-ranking
military staff today at the Tigranakert training ground observed the
main, combat crossfire phase of the military exercises. After the
conclusion of the exercises, the Presidents handed awards to the
servicemen who brought active participation to the exercises. The
President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief Serzh Sargsyan addressed
the servicemen. The President congratulated them on the successful
completion of the exercises and underscored with satisfaction that
what the Armenian troops demonstrated today fills his heart and
soul with pride and delight and said that it deserves appreciation
and gratitude. “I can imagine pride of your parents, your brothers
and sisters, your wives and girls who are waiting for you. You are
the people who hold our Motherland’s honor high, your teachers’,
and probably first of all your parents’ honor,” President Serzh
Sargsyan said. The President of Armenia noted that resolve and spirit
of the troops, their skills and growth of combat readiness compel
him personally to make sure that the Armenian Army and the defense
army in particular is never short of any material resources. “Just as
yesterday and today, tomorrow too you will have the most contemporary
combat weapon, because we have no alternative. We are living in a
region where we must take care of our security ourselves. Naturally,
we have allies and friends but you should know that help is rendered
to those who can defend their honor. My generation paid its duty when
it was needed. I am sure that you will do it even better. I am sure
because I see it. I see that your commanders are more prepared than
we were. I see that you are much more prepared that our troops were.

Today, you have accomplished your mission brilliantly. I can see
considerable growth which is very important and it must be continuous,
I have no doubt. Every person has the opportunity for self-expression
during the lifetime. And that self-expression should be appreciated by
the Motherland, by the common people, by the officials. I am confident
that your first and foremost appreciators are the people. You have
emerged from the nation’s bosom and need that nation’s gratitude as
well as appreciation. Things that you have demonstrated today truly
deserve gratitude. You are becoming stronger, the defense army is
acquiring not only experience, not only contemporary weaponry but it
also rebuilds itself. And I am confident, if, God forbid that time
comes, you will do whatever you have to do. You will do whatever you
have been sworn to do,” the President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief
Serzh Sargsyan said and assured that our peoples’ rights have been
and will be protected in the same way the troops have done their
duty today.

Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakian participated also at the opening
ceremony of a new barracks in one of the military units.

In the evening, the Commanders-in-Chief of two Armenian Republics
participated at the extended meeting at the Ministry of Defense of
Karabakh where they recapped the results of the military exercises.

PRISONER’S MOTHER SAYS HE’S INNOCENT

tert.am
25.10.12

20-year-old Serob Mkhitaryan, one of the four inmates at the Nubarashen
penitentiary, who are on a hunger strike and sewed their lips together,
has cut his little finger in protest at “unjust sentence” passed
on him.

On May 31, 2012, the Shushi court sentenced him to 6-year imprisonment.

Neither during the preliminary investigation nor during the trial
Serob pleaded guilty, his mother Marieta Gokoryan told Tert.am.

According to her, the real culprit is Andranik Gabrielyan, whose
father exerted pressure on the court. “His father was a police major.

He even promised me to get them both out of trouble. He told me that
he could be dismissed if his son was charged with a theft. But he
deceived me and shifted the blame onto my son,” Gokoryan said.

She said that the aggrieved person, resident of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) Norik Manucharyan signed a statement to the effect
that he had never seen Serob near his house, but he had seen Andranik
Gabrielyan.

Mrs Gokoryan says that the signed statement was filed, but the judge
ignored the fact, as well as the signed statement to the effect that
the aggrieved person withdrew his complaint because “in the presence
of Chief Investigator Alaverdyan, Armen Gabrielyan (Andranik’s father)
returned the stolen $1,300 to him.”

ARMENIAN AND NKR PRESIDENTS WATCHED THE MAIN COMBAT SHOOT STAGE HELD IN “TIGRANAKERT” MILITARY ACADEMY

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Serzh Sargsyan, who is on working
visit in NKR and NKR President Bako Sahakyan, accompanied by the
Ministers of Defence of two Armenian states watched the main combat
shoot stage of military exercises hosted in “Tigranakert” military
academy on October 23.

As Armenpress was informed from the Armenian Presidential website
after the military exercises Presidents awarded the most active
servicemen. Armenian President, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces
Serzh Sargsyan delivered a speech in front of servicemen. President
congratulated on the occasion of succeeded military exercises
and highlighted that he was very glad and proud of what Armenian
servicemen presented during the military exercises and that they
deserved appreciation and gratitude.

“I imagine how proud your parents, brothers and sisters, wives and
the girls who are waiting for you are. You are the ones who hold in
honor our country, the honor of their teachers, who first of all hold
the honor of their parents” Serzh Sargsyan said.

The head of the country noted that the spirit and the will of
the soldiers obliged himself to spare no effort for Armenian army
especially for Defence Army to never have any need for material
resources.

Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Shakayan partook at the opening ceremony of
a new barrack in one of the military units. Afterwards Presidents
of two Armenian Republics participated in a meeting during which the
results of the military exercises were discussed.

CPJ: TURKEY’S PRESS FREEDOM IN CRISIS

October 23, 2012

Country is the world’s leading jailer of journalists

NEW YORK (CPJ)-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) this week
issued a new report warning that the Turkish government is engaging in
a broad offensive to silence critical journalists through imprisonment,
legal prosecution, and official intimidation. As tensions between
Turkey and Syria escalate, a choke on information and climate of fear
could deter important, probing news coverage.

Turkey is the world’s leading jailer of journalists CPJ has identified
76 journalists imprisoned in Turkey as of Aug. 1, 2012, making the
country the leading jailer of journalists worldwide, surpassing Iran,
Eritrea, and China. Following a case-by-case review, CPJ concluded
that at least 61 journalists were being held in direct relation to
their work, the highest figure globally in the last decade.

“As a rising regional and global power, Turkey’s economic and political
success should be matched by respect for the universal right to freely
exchange news, information, and ideas,” said CPJ Executive Director
Joel Simon. “Turkey’s tendency to equate critical journalism with
terrorism is not justified by the country’s security concerns.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan should cease his attacks on the
press and instead provide justice for journalists while pursuing
reforms that guarantee freedom of expression.”

CPJ’s 53-page report, which is also available in Turkish, features
letters sent from imprisoned journalists and even government responses
to CPJ inquiries. In addition, the report details the case of each
journalist jailed in Turkey, made possible through CPJ interviews
with their defense lawyers and review of public records. Some key
findings and recommendations from the report are listed below.

Key findings

Turkey was holding 76 journalists in prison as of Aug. 1. At least 61
of these journalists were jailed in direct relation to their published
work or newsgathering activities. CPJ continues to investigate the
15 other cases to determine whether the journalists were imprisoned
for their work.

Approximately 30 percent of the imprisoned journalists were accused
of participating in anti-government plots or being members of outlawed
political groups.

About 70 percent of those jailed were Kurdish journalists charged
with aiding terrorism by covering the views and activities of the
banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Union of Communities in
Kurdistan (KCK).

More than three-quarters of the imprisoned journalists have not been
convicted of a crime but are being held as they await resolution of
their cases.

Articles in the penal code give authorities wide berth to use
journalists’ professional work to link them to banned political
movements or alleged plots. Some of the most frequently used articles
criminalize basic newsgathering activities, such as talking to security
officials or obtaining documents. Up to 5,000 criminal cases were
pending against journalists at the end of 2011, according to Turkish
press freedom groups.

A 2007 internet law codified Turkey’s ad hoc filtering, permitting
whole websites to be blocked at the ISP level. CPJ found increased
filtering of domestic news sources, including opposition and
pro-Kurdish media that local experts consider unlawful even under
Turkey’s expansive internet censorship regulations and runs contrary
to international press freedom standards.

Key recommendations

The Turkish government should release all imprisoned journalists held
on the basis of journalistic activities; halt the criminal prosecution
of journalists in connection with their reporting and commentary;
and end the practice of jailing journalists for prolonged periods as
they await trial or a court verdict.

Prime Minister Erdogan should stop filing defamation complaints
against critical journalists, publicly deprecating such journalists,
and pressuring critical news outlets to tone down coverage.

The government must-in consultation with local press freedom
groups-fundamentally and comprehensively reform all laws used
routinely against the press, including provisions in the penal code
and anti-terror law that criminalize newsgathering and publishing
critical or opposing views.

Turkey should reform laws and regulations governing the internet
to bring them in line with international standards for freedom of
expression.

The Council of Europe should hold Turkey accountable under the
European Convention on Human Rights and demand substantive changes
in the government’s legislation and policies so that they comply with
European and international human rights standards.

The United States must engage Turkish leaders on press freedom and
freedom of expression in bilateral and multilateral meetings, and U.S.

leaders should insist on Turkey’s compliance with international
standards for freedom of the press and freedom of expression as a
basis for continued strategic cooperation.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, non-profit organization that
works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. To learn more, visit

MEXICO CITY’S MUNICIPALITY MAKES DECISION TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL COMMISSION TO DETERMINE FATE OF AZERI MONUMENTS

arminfo
Wednesday, October 24, 12:39

On October 24, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who is in Mexico
on an official visit, met with the local Armenian community, the
Armenian Foreign Ministry reported. Edward Nalbandian presented
the local Armenians the main vectors of Armenian’s foreign policy,
reforms implemented in the country, and the results of the meetings
held in Mexico as well as answered their numerous questions.

The visit of the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Mexico was
largely covered by the local media. The Mexican media presented many
publications referring to the situation created after the unveiling
of a so-called Khojaly monument in Mexico City, describing it as an
insult to the dignity of the Mexican people.

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Armenian Minister
of Foreign Affairs that under the pressure of the Mexican public
opinion, Mexico City’s municipality made a decision to establish a
special commission to determine the fate of the Azeri monuments.

Concluding the Mexican visit, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian left
for Guatemala.

Message

JIRAYR REISYAN DENIES THE NEWS THAT ST. GEVORG CHURCH IN ALEPPO WAS BURNT

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Notwithstanding the situation
in the Armenian district of Aleppo is calm, but people can always
expect “surprises”. Spokesman of Armenian National Primacy of Aleppo
Jirayr Reisyan said about this in a conversation with “Armenpress”
and added that the situation is uncertain in the districts, where
many Armenians dwell.

Reisyan denied the popular news that St. Gevorg Church in Aleppo
was burnt. He said: “This news is not accurate. Although St. Gevorg
Church is in the borderline of clashes between the opposition and
the armed forces, but it was not burnt. There was a barrel of fuel,
which exploded when a bullet hit it.” Reisyan also mentioned that
there is a chapel belonging a group of foreign nuns, that was on fire,
but was not seriously damaged and all of these has nothing to do with
the Armenian Church of St. Gevorg.

The New Village district, where lots of Armenians dwell is almost
desert and silent. As to the Christian District of Suleymaniae there
have been no clashes, the life is a little bit more active, despite
the soldiers that keep guarding it.

Facebook profiles of the Armenians from Aleppo certify that the
governmental forces succeeded to eliminate a vehicle planted with
explosives weighting about one ton.

Clashes in Syria lasting for already 20 months caused the death of
more than 30 thousand people, including more than four dozen Armenians.

0 0 New Print | Õ~@Õ¡ÕµÕ¥O~@Õ¥Õ¶ Related News

DIASPORAN YOUTH URGE PRESIDENT SARGSYAN TO HALT TEGHOUT MINE

11:55, October 24, 2012

On the weekend of October 13, at an AYF Eastern Region senior seminar
themed “Project Armenia”, AYF Seniors signed a letter addressed
to President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, and
the Vallex Corporation. The letter, reproduced below along with a
selection of signatures, calls on the parties to cease the illegal
mining operations going on in Teghout forest unless and until a fair
and non-biased Environmental Impact Assessment is conducted.

President Serzh Sargsyan Office of the President of the Republic of
Armenia 26 Baghramian Avenue Yerevan, Republic of Armenia 0077

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan Government House 1 Yerevan, Republic
of Armenia 0010

Dear Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister,

We are a group of youth activists in the diaspora, members of the
Armenian Youth Federation of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
of the Eastern Region of the United States. We are writing to you
to discuss a matter which is of urgent concern to us as members of
the Armenian nation, regarding the mining operations going on in
Teghut forest.

As you know, the January 25, 2012 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe Declaration No. 503 found that these operations, and the
manner in which they were approved by the Government of Armenia,
are in violation of domestic and international laws and agreements.

The issue demands immediate attention, but cases brought in Armenian
courts have been procedural bases without attention to the substance of
the claims. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIP) which purportedly
enumerated and calculated the harms which would be caused by the mining
is deeply flawed and information disseminated based on it is likewise
false. The damage being done to Teghut is final – it cannot be undone.

The benefits of mining in Teghout in this manner have not been
demonstrated by data or sound evidence to an extent that it is shown
to be efficient and a good decision economically and environmentally.

While the mine may create jobs, they will be temporary. The mining
and taxing fees are not enough to outweigh the costs of ecological
loss, deterioration of health and loss of future opportunities the
land may present in the future.

The Government of Armenia has a responsibility to exercise careful
foresight in the expending of Armenia’s resources. Future generations
must not be deprived for the sake of temporary economic gains today.

With this letter, we formally request that a new, independent and
transparent Environmental Impact Assessment be conducted in order to:

1. Comply with domestic and international laws

2. Determine and present an accurate analysis of the environmental
impact of the Teghout mining operations

3. Address the potential public health impacts of the Teghout mining
operations

4. Take alternative development options to mining into consideration
(such as eco-tourism) as required by Armenian law

5. Restore public faith and trust in government

If the mining can be justified, then the information should be
presented in a transparent, accessible and well-documented manner. The
conclusion should be based on independent economic, environmental
and legal analysis. The public should be allowed input, and their
and our voices taken into consideration.

Until a new EIP is conducted and a justified decision is made,
international best practice indicates that the mining should be
suspended, due to its potentially dangerous consequences.

As young Armenians who feel invested in the future of the Republic of
Armenia, we are passionate about taking any opportunities we can to
voice our opinions. Members of the Diaspora are involved in actions
taken on behalf of Teghout in Armenia and outside the Republic.

We look forward to receiving your response to this letter within
10 business days. You may respond to our request by writing to
[email protected] .

Respectfully yours,

The undersigned.

October 15, 2012

STATE COMMITTEE ON WORK WITH DIASPORA COMMENTS ON MEETING BETWEEN “AZERROS” AND ARMENIAN DIASPORA IN MOSCOW

APA
Oct 23 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. The State Committee on Work with Diaspora does not believe
that the meeting between the representatives of “Azerros” Federal
National Cultural Autonomy and Armenian Diaspora in Moscow will have a
positive influence on the process of settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.

The statement sent to APA by the State Committee’s press service says
that such meetings may serve the interests of the Armenian Diaspora,
who want to form public opinion that the Azerbaijani society is ready
for compromises casting doubt on our country’s territorial integrity.

“It is not accidental that since early 2000 Armenian Diaspora and
lobby under the pretext of “people’s diplomacy” have been putting
forward initiatives to form impression that Azerbaijani society is
ready for compromises. Practice shows that such initatives serve to
create additional opportunities for pressure on Azerbaijan, which
insists on fair solution to the conflict.

Though such intiatives of individuals, or organizations are the
expression of the wish to contribute to solving the conflict, it is
more expedient that professional diplomats deal with the settlement
of the conflict.

The State Committee on Work with Diaspora respects patriotic
feelings of every Azerbaijani wishing to contribute to solving
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, but is not sure
that such meetings promise real perspectives and call on the Diaspora
organizations to be more careful and attention in such initiatives,”
the statement says.