Author: Chmshkian Vicken

The Israel Jewish Coalition for Interfaith Relations (IJCIR) condemns the recent acts of bigotry and hatred against the Armenian clergy in Jerusalem. It calls for immediate attention and action to stop these repeated acts of violence against innocent Armenian clergy and laypersons there,  reports.

The statements reads:
The recurring acts of spitting, shouting and graffiti against Armenian clergy in the Old City of Jerusalem have no place in our Jewish democratic State in the Holy Land. These ugly intolerant acts violate the fundamental values of Israel and Judaism and betray our commitment that all humans are created in the Image of God. Because they are created in the Divine Image, all persons are holy and must be treated with dignity and respect.

And as Jews we have a specific obligation not to oppress the stranger in our society.

Protesting these terrible acts is not enough. We demand that the police apprehend and punish the offenders. There is no excuse for delay or inaction. These acts of bigotry will only stop when swift and consistent action is taken to try and punish the offenders.

The extremists who perpetrate these criminal acts bring shame on the Jewish people, the State of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, its government and its police. We must act now to safeguard the stability of our society and protect the basic values of the Holy City and the State of Israel.”

Willoughby City Council, in Sydney’s North Shore, has passed a motion recognising the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia).
On Monday 11th May 2015, Willoughby City Council – the municipality that is home to many thousands of Sydney-Armenians, as well as to Armenian churches and community centres – considered the motion, which reads: “Willoughby City Council recognises the genocide of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrians peoples by the then Ottoman Government between 1915 and 1922 and condemns these and all other acts of genocide and crimes against humanity as the ultimate act of intolerance”.
The motion was introduced in what is the Armenian Genocide’s Centenary year by long-standing friend of the Armenian-Australian community, Councillor John Hooper, and was seconded by Councillor Judith Rutherford. It passed unanimously, making Willoughby City Council the second Australian local government to recognise the Armenian Genocide after Ryde City Council.

ANC Australia’s executive director, Vache Kahramanian, addressed the Council meeting to speak in favour of the motion and on the importance of Armenian genocide recognition as a mechanism to prevent future instances of genocide being perpetrated.

Upon passage of the motion, Kahramanian remarked: “I thank Councillor Hooper and Willoughby City’s Councillors for adding their formal recognition of the Armenian genocide. Such motions send the clearest signal that genocide denial has no place in the twenty first century.”

“There is a national movement in Australia towards recognition which will ultimately lead to the Commonwealth Parliament also affirming the historical reality of the Armenian genocide,” Kahramanian added.

The motion adopted by Willoughby City Council comes only weeks after 

The text of the Willoughby City Council motion reads:
That:

1. Willoughby City Council recognises the genocide of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrians peoples by the then Ottoman Government between 1915 and 1922 and condemns these and all other acts of genocide and crimes against humanity as the ultimate act of intolerance.Z
2. Willoughby City Council endorses the resolution of the NSW Parliament on 17 April 1997 that it:
   1. recognises and condemns the Genocide of the Armenians by the then Ottoman Government between 1915 and 1922, and designated 24 April of every year thereafter as a day of remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who fell victim to the first genocide of the twentieth century;
   2. recognises that Assyrians and Greeks were subjected to qualitatively similar genocides by the then Ottoman Government between 1915 and 1922;
   3. reaffirms its condemnation of the genocide of the Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks, and all other acts of genocide as the ultimate act of intolerance;
   4. recognises the importance of remembering and learning from such dark chapters in human history to ensure that such crimes against humanity are not allowed to be repeated;
   5. acknowledges and pays tribute to the contribution of the Anzac servicemen who aided the survivors of the genocide; and
   6. acknowledges the significant humanitarian relief contribution made by the people of New South Wales to the victims and survivors of the genocide.

 

 

Armenia has welcomed the adoption of the Resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide by the Parliament of Luxembourg.

“Paying tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims, the Parliament of Luxembourg underlines that the events in the Ottoman Empire a century ago constituted genocide, and calls on the Turkish authorities to face their history,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in a statement.

“By adopting this resolution, Luxembourg joined the countries that have recognized the Armenian Genocide and made an important contribution to the high mission of preventing new crimes against humanity,” Minister Nalbandian said.

Sempad Markarian (56 kg) champion d’Europe junior

HALTEROPHILIE

samedi22 mai 2010, par Krikor Amirzayan/armenews

Lors des Championnats d’Europe junior d’haltérophilie qui se déroulent
à Valence (Espagne), Sempad Markarian (56 kg) est devenu champion
d’Europe offrant ainsi une première médaille d’or à l’Arménie. Avec un
total de 240 kg (105 kg à l’arraché et 135 kg à l’épaulé-jeté) Sempad
Markarian prit la première place devant Kerkel Souk (229 kg). Sempad
Markarian est également le vice-champion d’Europe 2010.

Observers to parliamentary elections arrive in Karabakh

May 22, 2010 – 15:58 AMT 10:58 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

On May 22, NKR President Bako Sahakyan met with American and Dutch
representatives of the Public International Law and Policy Group
headed by senior counsel Michael Kovaka who arrived in Artsakh as
observers to parliamentary elections.

At the meeting, Bako Sahakyan emphasized that American and Dutch
observers’ participation in the elections is a proof of efficient
cooperation in the sphere of democratic development.

As NKR leader noted, participation of foreign observers in the
elections should not be politicized; with arrival of American and
European observers showing the approach to be unacceptable for
civilized world, Central Information Department at NKR President’s
Office reported.

HRANUSH HAKOBYAN: "THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ETHNIC MINORITIES IN ARMENIA"

NOYAN TAPAN
20 MAY, 2010
YEREVAN

"There is no discrimination against ethnic minorities in Armenia,"
announced RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan today during a
question-and-answer session between the RA National Assembly and the
government. According to the Minister, all conditions are created to
develop the Armenian language, culture and education and preserve
historical-cultural monuments. The Minister clarified that all of
the government’s projects relate to RA citizens and, according to H.

Hakobyan, representatives of ethnic minorities "are our citizens and
exercise all the rights". Hakobyan also mentioned that the government
is committed to help Armenians considered ethnic minorities in other
countries to recognize their rights and obligations through studies.

For involvement in such issues, an international committee was created
during the Pan-Armenian Forum of Lawyers held by the Ministry last
year.

NA SPEAKER RECEIVES THE DELEGATION OF THE ALL-CHINESE ASSEMBLY OF PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

ARMENPRESS
MAY 20, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan received today
Vang Guantao, chairman of the Committee on Neighboring Surrounding
and Resources Protection of the All-Chinese Assembly of Peoples’
Representatives, deputy chairman of the Chinese People’s Association
for Peace and Disarmament, and the delegation headed by him.

Press service of the Armenian National Assembly told Armenpress that
the NA speaker pointed out the warm relations with China and Chinese
people, in which he became sure during his meeting with U Bango,
chairman of the Standing Committee of the All-China Assembly of
People’s Representatives of the People’s Republic of China. H.

Abrahamyan conveyed greetings and wishes to U Bango reconfirming his
invitation to pay a visit to Armenia.

Vang Guantao attached importance to the development of relations
based on mutual respect and friendship. He noted that the visit of
the NA speaker to China was a serious impetus for strengthening the
relations between the two countries. A number of representatives of
the Chinese parliament have visited Armenia, and according to Vang
Guantao, the inter-parliamentary ties are good basis for interstate
cooperation. He also noted that there is a great prospective in
regard to the cooperation of the committees and commissions of the
two parliaments.

The interlocutors expressed confidence that the visit of the Chinese
delegation will promote the expansion and activation of the bilateral
ties and development of the mutual relations.

ARGENTINA IS FOR THE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

ARMENPRESS
MAY 21, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS: Argentina is for the peaceful settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Foreign Minister of Argentine
Jorge Taiana said today at a joint press conference with Armenian
minister Edward Nalbandyan that the NK conflict must be solved in a
peaceful way.

"It is the only way and Armenia is for it, agreeing that it is the
only right way," Taiana said. According to him, it is also important
that the peaceful settlement be implemented through peace talks.

In response to the question of a reporter on how Edward Nalbandyan
treats the circumstance that RF President Dmitry Medvedev during
the visit to Turkey noted that Russia will use its influence for
moving forward Karabakh issue, said that being the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairing country Russia contributes to the settlement of the NKR
issue, has quite important and constructive role in the settlement
of conflict.

According to him, Russia, and particularly President Dmitry Medvedev,
has personal contribution to the settlement of the Karabakh issue. On
his initiative many meetings were conducted between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani presidents. "At what moment the expression was made? and
where? In respect of constructive stance nothing changes. It is natural
that Russian president expresses his wish to continue the efforts to
help parties regulate the issue," Armenian FM said.

Edward Nalbandyan, referring to the news that there is a new document
on the table of negotiations said there is no such document. "It is an
absolute lie and the lies do not demand any comment," Nalbandyan said.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION: CORRUPTION REMAINS WIDESPREAD AT ALL LEVELS OF AZERI SOCIETY

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 18:39 AMT 13:39 GMT

Despite some progress made in the fight against corruption, it
remains widespread at all levels of Azeri society and would require
additional efforts to combat, the communication from the Commission to
the European Parliament and the Council, taking stock of the European
Neighbourhood Policy stated.

According to communication, amendments to the Constitution were adopted
by national referendum in March 2009. The amendments inter alia removed
the limits on the presidential term of office and extended it in a
state of war, which strengthened the power of the executive against
the prevailing European practice and signalled a serious setback on
Azerbaijan’s road to consolidated democracy.

Freedom of expression and media freedom deteriorated during the
reporting period. In January 2009, broadcasting by foreign radio
stations on national FM frequencies was banned, thus depriving the
public of alternative sources of information. In March 2009, the law
on mass media was amended without prior consultation with journalists
or non-governmental organisations, extending the grounds to suspend
the activities of media outlets. The amendments allow interference
by government with the media in ways that are not compatible with
OSCE commitments on media freedom. Further restrictive amendments
were adopted on the law on TV and Radio in April 2009, limiting media
pluralism and including the activities of foreign broadcasters.

Cases of harassment continue to be reported of political activists
expressing independent views. The EU expressed concern over prison
sentences and noted doubtful legal proceedings. Cases of intimidation
of journalists through defamation court proceedings, imprisonment
and threats continued to be reported and were criticized by the
international community including the EU. In March 2009, the Council
of Europe Parliament Assembly appointed a rapporteur on political
prisoners in Azerbaijan. The EU continues to raise these cases with
Azerbaijani authorities.

WHERE SHOULD THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE BE DEFENDED IF NOT IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL?
Alisa Gevorgyan

"Radiolur"
17.05.2010 18:15

The Armenian Government has approved the proposal of the Minister
of Education and Science to amend RA Law on Language, according to
which the ban on opening of foreign-language schools in the country
will be lifted.

The Armenian society is divided on the issue. Writer and translator,
ex-Minister of Culture Hakob Movses opposes the idea of opening
foreign-language schools in the republic. He says he would support
any initiative of teaching foreign languages on a high level, but he
wonders why the issue of opening of such schools has become so urgent
in case there are a lot of economic, social and educational-cultural
problems to be solved.

Ex-Minister of Education Ashot Bleyan says a definite "no" to the
initiative. The idea of opening foreign-language schools contradicts
the Constitution, which states that the state language of the Republic
of Armenia is the Armenian, he says. "Where should the Armenian
language be defended if not in the secondary school?" Bleyas asks.