A few minutes ago the lights were turned on in Stepanakert. Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan wrote about this on social networks.
“This is an important step to alleviate human suffering. The city has been without electricity since September 19,” he wrote.
13:32,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Special Adviser of the UN Secretary- General on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, expressed her alarm over the recent military escalation by Azerbaijan, noted the reported ceasefire announced on 20 September and emphasized the importance of preventing further violence and of ensuring a durable peace in the region that protects the rights of all people.
“Military action can only contribute to escalate what is already a tense situation and to put the civilian population in the area at risk of violence, including risk of genocide and related atrocity crimes. All efforts need to be made to prevent violence and sustain peace,” the Special Adviser stressed in a statement.
Special Adviser Wairimu Nderitu reiterated her call for dialogue and peace, and the call to avoid any escalation of tension, made during her briefing to the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council on 4 July this year, and emphasized the impact of violence on innocent and vulnerable civilians.
“Previous instances of military escalation in the region have had significant negative impact on civilian populations; and there have also been reports of civilian casualties from the recent escalation. The region has further seen frequent reports of hate and divisive narratives being used, fuelling tension. Violence and hatred reinforce each other. We must stop this vicious cycle and work to build a future in which hatred and division are no longer present. I urge all parties to promote constructive dialogue and negotiations in full respect of international humanitarian and human rights law.”
The Special Adviser also expressed concern that these developments are happening despite the recent progress in ensuring humanitarian assistance to the area, including through the Lachin corridor. The Special Adviser recalled the 22 February 2023 Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was reaffirmed by the Court on 6 July 2023, indicating provisional measures in the case concerning the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v Azerbaijan). She also echoed calls made by the United Nations Secretary-General on 24 February and 3 August 2023, noting that decisions of the ICJ are binding on the Parties. The Special Adviser expressed the importance that they be fully implemented, including the Order to take all measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. This message she had previously reiterated, including at the 28 April 2023 event organized by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations on ‘Prevention of Atrocity Crimes in the Digital Era’. “The fact that some humanitarian assistance has been able to reach the population in the area constitutes a positive step which needs to be continued, in line with international humanitarian law. This was an important step forward which requires building upon. All people deserve to live a life free from hatred, insecurity, hunger, and conflict.”
00:44, 9 September 2023
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The UEFA Euro-2024 qualifying match between Armenia and Türkiye ended in a 1-1 draw on Friday at the Eskişehir Yeni Stadium in the northwestern Turkish city of Eskişehir.
Armenia’s midfielder Artak Dashyan opened the score in the second half-time. The score was equalized at the 88th minute by Turkish striker B. Yildirim.
Armenia will face Croatia in the next qualifying match on September 11.
Washington, D.C. – The dire conditions in Artsakh, wherein Azerbaijan’s immoral and illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor continues into its tenth month causing a man-made humanitarian crisis, will take centerstage during the 2023 Advocacy Summit, “Advocate for Artsakh,” sponsored by the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly), and co-sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Evangelical Union, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western), Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with more to join, in Washington, D.C. from September 25-26, 2023.
Advocates from across the country will once again work together to hold important meetings with Members of Congress and continue to sound the alarm on the deepening crisis in Artsakh, the ongoing attacks against the Armenian people, and the specter of a second Armenian Genocide.
In addition to the meetings on Capitol Hill, panel discussions will take place, along with an evening Tribute honoring former U.S. Secretary of the Navy Paul Ignatius at the Willard Hotel.
“The Assembly’s upcoming Advocacy Summit will build on the recent hearing on Artsakh by the Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission where Co-Chair Chris Smith, former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Ocampo, and human rights scholar David Phillips demanded Aliyev be held accountable for his genocidal intent by illegally blockading the Lachin Corridor,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “This blockade continues to deprive the Armenian people of essential supplies, from medication to food and more. The Advocacy Summit will bring this man-made humanitarian crisis into further focus with advocates expecting and demanding action from their elected officials,” Ardouny added.
Register now to participate in the Assembly’s 2023 Advocacy Summit. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mary Jo Bazarian Murray, Director of Development and Membership.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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13:14, 8 September 2023
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) expresses its profound regret and strong condemnation of the recent statement issued by the Rabbinical Center of Europe (RCE) concerning the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh. In this statement the European rabbis expressed their concerns regarding the usage of terms such as “genocide” in reference to the situation the native Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh is facing.
“As a European-Armenian organization the EAFJD acknowledges the sensitivity of the term, particularly in light of the immense suffering endured by the Jewish people during the Holocaust, and fully supports the importance of paying homage as well as preserving the memory of those tragic events. The term is not used as a historical comparison; rather, it is being utilized in accordance with the definition outlined in the United Nations’ Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
“Several reports and statements from independent international organizations and human rights groups have been alerting about Azerbaijan’s ongoing policy in Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh which is genocidal in its essence. In a recent report the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo argues that there is “a reasonable basis to believe a Azerbaijan is currently committing a “genocide” against the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh/ Artsakh. Genocide Watch has also issued numerous alerts in this regard.
“The international legal definition of genocide, as recognized by the United Nations in the 1948 Genocide Convention, includes acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. State parties of the Genocide Convention assumed duty to prevent and punish Genocide. The International Court of Justice ruled that the state parties should “not wait until the perpetration of Genocide commences” and “the whole point of obligation is to prevent or attempt to prevent the occurrence of the act.”
“For nine months now Azerbaijan has been keeping the 120.000 native Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh, including 30.000 children in a blockade, in blatant violation of 9 November 2020 trilateral ceasefire statement that it signed. Since 15 June 2023, the Azerbaijani authorities have imposed a total siege by blocking access to food and other essential goods. This has been happening, despite the fact that the United States, the European Union, International Court of Justice, the European Court of Justice have all been calling on Azerbaijani to immediately lift the blockade. Azerbaijan has been using starvation and deprivation of access to basic necessities with the aim of forcing the Armenians out of their own homeland.
“The EAFJD calls on the rabbis of the RCE to recognize the severity of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh and stay true to the principles of justice and human rights as representatives of a nation that once urgently needed the support and empathy of the international community in its quest for justice,” EAFJD said in a statement.
The Armenian Investigative Committee has announced that pro-Russia blogger Mikael Badalyan and columnist for Sputnik Armenia, a pro-Kremlin news agency, Ashot Gevorkyan have been released, Russia’s state-affiliated RIA Novosti news agency reported late on Friday, citing the committee.
The journalists were detained in the town of Goris, south Armenia, on 7 September. Sputnik Armenia noted that Gevorkyan was working there.
The news emerged Friday morning that the pair had been detained for 72 hours on suspicion of illegal arms trafficking..
The Investigative Committee statement revealed that police searches of the pair’s apartments and cars had recovered “an AK assault rifle, live ammunition rounds, grenades, grenade detonators, pistols, bayonet knives” as well as “hemp plants”.
A lawyer representing the pair claimed that the weapons didn’t belong to them and were the property of a “third person”.
Five other people were also reportedly detained, though their names have not been disclosed.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the journalists’ detention a “provocation” and suggested it was aimed at sowing “hatred, fear, and distrust”.
https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2023/09/08/pro-kremlin-journalists-released-in-armenia-after-being-detained-on-arms-trafficking-suspicions-en-news
10:22,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS. United States Senator Robert Menendez has called out Azerbaijan for its “outrageous behavior” after three Armenians were kidnapped by Azeri border guards in Lachin Corridor on Monday.
“Deeply troubled that Azerbaijan continues its outrageous behavior aimed at intimidating Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, withholding humanitarian access, and undermining the critical work of the ICRC. This is unacceptable,” Menendez, the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a post on X.
On August 28, Azerbaijani border guards in the illegally installed checkpoint in Lachin Corridor kidnapped residents of Nagorno-Karabakh Alen Sargsyan, Vahe Hovsepyan and Levon Grigoryan. All three are students who were traveling to Armenia to continue their studies. The transport was agreed upon in advance and was being carried out with Russian peacekeeping escort.
The Foreign Ministry of Armenia called out the Azerbaijani authorities for derailing the peace efforts and warned that Baku seeks to perpetrate collective punishment against the entire population in Nagorno-Karabakh.
19:45,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with the new Ambassador of France to Armenia Olivier Decottignies.
The Prime Minister congratulated Mr. Decottignies on assuming office and expressed belief that his activities will contribute to the further development and strengthening of the Armenian-French cooperation, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the fact of special relations between the two countries, adding that the Armenian government is interested in the expansion of cooperation in various fields.
Ambassador Olivier Decottignies stated that he will make every effort to contribute to the deepening of the strong Armenian-French ties.
Issues related to economic cooperation between Armenia and France, the involvement of French companies in the Armenian market and current investment programs were discussed during the meeting.
The sides also discussed the deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan’s illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor. The targeted response of international partners to Azerbaijan’s steps was highlighted.
The Prime Minister and the French Ambassador also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
12:35,
STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. The 35-year-old man in Nagorno-Karabakh who was missing since Saturday has been found alive, Nagorno-Karabakh police said Tuesday.
The man was found safe and sound in a home in Martakert city.
Other details weren’t immediately available.