Author: Emil Karabekian

EU Court Deadline for Azerbaijan to Provide Info on Armenian Red Cross Patient Kidnapping

Emil Karabekian
Aug 8 2023
  • In Daily Brief
  • August 8, 2023
  • Rory Quick

The EU Court of Human Rights has given Azerbaijan until August 8 to provide information about Vagif Khachatryan, a Nagorno-Karabakh resident kidnapped by Azerbaijani border guards while being evacuated by the Red Cross to Armenia for medical treatment. 

Khachatryan was detained on July 29 at the Lachin crossing point of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Azerbaijan’s prosecutor’s office justified the move owing to Khachatryan’s role in massacres and forced deportations during the first Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1991 — crimes they argue amounted to genocide. Representatives of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic responded by claiming that arresting someone under Red Cross protection “is a war crime.”

The leaders of both countries met on June 1, where discussions focused on unblocking transport links, border delimitation, the rights of ethnic-Armenian’s in Nagorno-Karabakh, and prisoners of war. On May 25, the Armenian Prime Minister said that Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to recognise their territorial borders.

However, the kidnapping threatens to wipe out the rapprochement in relations made in recent months, and plunge the region back into internecine conflict. Further, the humanitarian crisis caused by Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor has intensified calls for sanctions against Baku across the EU. Should Khachatryan’s whereabouts continue to remain unknown, Armenia will likely leverage his disappearance to call for increased sanctions against Azerbaijan.


https://www.foreignbrief.com/daily-news/eu-court-deadline-for-azerbaijan-to-provide-info-on-armenian-red-cross-patient-kidnapping/

Iran’s Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor important: Armenia

Emil Karabekian
MEHR News Agency, Iran
Aug 7 2023

TEHRAN, Aug. 07 (MNA) – The launch of Persian Gulf-Black Sea through the territory of Armenia is extremely important for Yerevan, a statement from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia said.

Armenia does not have information about the timing of the implementation of the key Iranian project, the statement added, according to Pan Armenian. 

At the same time, the Ministry said, Yerevan realizes the importance of the prompt launch of the project and is waiting for a final response from Tehran.

The idea of launching the project was first raised by Iran in 2016. Officially, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece are taking part in it, the project should connect Tehran with Europe through Yerevan and Tbilisi and increase the transit capabilities of the countries involved. The issue of joining Iran and India is currently being discussed.

The Ministry noted that the sixth and so far the last meeting of representatives of the working group on the coordination of the project was held in Bulgaria in April 2022. At the meeting, the representatives of Armenia, Iran, Bulgaria signed the protocol of the meeting, which states that the final version of the Persian Gulf – Black Sea agreement is ready.

“The Iranian side sent the minutes of the sixth meeting and the final version of the agreement to the rest of the member countries for approval,” the statement from the Ministry said.

Yerevan is ready to ratify the agreement, and believes that the launch of the project will give impetus to the development of a multimodal type of transportation and increase Armenia’s transit function in international cargo transportation along the Europe-Asia axis.

The launch of Persian Gulf-Black Sea through the territory of Armenia is extremely important for Yerevan, not only in terms of attracting additional cargo traffic, investments and expanding logistics capacities. The transport artery will allow Armenia to receive a number of preferences, both political and economic, and the role of Armenia in the region will increase.

SKH/PR

News Code 204290


Nagorno-Karabakh people face threat to their very existence, Armenia warns at UNSC open debate

Emil Karabekian

 10:23, 4 August 2023

YEREVAN. AUGUST 4. ARMENPRESS. On August 3, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan participated in and delivered remarks at the open debate on “Famine and conflict-induced global food insecurity” organized by the United States under the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security” of the UN Security Council.

The open debate was chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator Reena Ghelani delivered a briefing.

In his remarks, the Deputy Foreign Minister Vahe Gevorgyan particularly noted:

“I would like to express my appreciation to the United States for convening this open debate on such a pertinent topic. I thank Ms. Reena Ghelani, UN Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator and other distinguished briefers for presenting their views on the ways to prevent and address famine by strengthening food security in conflict situations.

Starvation has been repeatedly used as a method of warfare and perpetration of genocide throughout history. But today, I am not going to recall examples from the past or assess future risks of famine in the context of the conflict. Instead I would bring to the attention of the Council a situation which is happening right now, a situation wherein people do not know whether today they will be able to find milk formula for their babies, loaf of bread for their children or provide medicines to critically ill relatives.

As we meet, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh face threat to their very existence resulting from the complete blockade, imposed by Azerbaijan. For more than seven months Azerbaijan continues to block the Lachin corridor, a humanitarian lifeline connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with the outside world. This illegal and inhumane action is in blatant violation of the order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023 reconfirmed by July 6 order, norms of the international humanitarian law and the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020.

The complete halt of any humanitarian supplies by Azerbaijan since 15 June this year has led to a critical shortage of food, medical supplies and other essential goods, creating a full-fledged humanitarian crisis. Disruption of electricity and gas supplies has been paralyzing social and healthcare services and the transportation system, depriving the besieged population of their fundamental human rights.

The blockade has a particularly devastating impact on the most vulnerable segments of the population. Due to the lack of essential foods and vitamins, approximately 2,000 pregnant women, around 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly persons and 9,000 persons with disabilities are struggling to survive under conditions of malnutrition, absence of basic supplies and medicines.

Motive, Azerbaijan continuously targets civilians conducting agricultural works, augmenting its manifest intent to impose starvation on the population. 

These warning signs have already been communicated by the ICRC which remains the only international humanitarian mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. In its July 25 news release the International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern over growing humanitarian needs and emphasized that it is not currently able to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population through the Lachin corridor, while stressing that its humanitarian aid convoys are a lifeline for the population in the area. After 3 days of this communication Azerbaijan arrested 68-year-old Vagif Khachatryan, a person who was being transported by the ICRC from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia for medical treatment. The arrest of a person under the ICRC protection whose transfer was preliminary agreed with Azerbaijan is not merely perfidious act but well-calculated obstruction of the ICRC work in Nagorno-Karabakh.

To address life-saving needs of the most vulnerable, on 26 July the Government of Armenia decided to deliver a consignment of around 360 tons of essential goods, mainly food and medical supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh. We appealed to the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation to organize the delivery of the humanitarian assistance to those in need which was established practice throughout past months. However, up until now, the humanitarian cargo remains at the entrance to the Lachin corridor due to obstruction and denial by Azerbaijani side of its transfer.  

The dire humanitarian situation on the ground and the risks of evolving hunger in Nagorno-Karabakh require efficient and timely response by the international community to ensure full and unconditional implementation of the ICJ decisions and full respect of international human rights and international humanitarian law.

We hope that yesterday’s statement of the UN Secretary-General wherein he expressed deep concern on the humanitarian situation and emphasized the need of the implementation of ICJ orders for ensuring unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along Lachin corridor will be the first step towards full UN engagement on the ground. This engagement is as needed as ever. The cost of inaction is too high to be sustained and this mass atrocity being perpetrated through starvation should and can be prevented and stopped.

We call on the UN and its Security Council to undertake urgent measures to ensure full adherence of Azerbaijan to its legally binding obligations under the ICJ orders and the international humanitarian law, immediately restore the freedom of movement across the Lachin corridor and allow safe and unimpeded humanitarian access of the UN agencies and the ICRC to Nagorno-Karabakh.”


WCC calls on Azerbaijan for immediate lifting of blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh

Emil Karabekian

 10:21, 1 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling on Azerbaijan for the immediate lifting of the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, as more than 120,000 people—including 30,000 children—are suffering under an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis.

“As the humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) reaches a tragic level, the World Council of Churches reiterates its statements and positions on the need for urgent and immediate action by the international community,” said WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. “The Lachin corridor, the only road that links the region to Armenia, has been blocked for more than seven months, sparking a humanitarian emergency and putting the lives of 120,000 people, including children, in great danger.”

People lack food, medication, electricity, and gas. “The WCC urges the international community to intervene immediately and quickly in order to end the blockade and save the lives of the Artsakh residents and then proceed to efforts of finding diplomatic solutions for a just peace in the region,” said Pillay.

“The WCC calls on Azerbaijan and other forces involved for the immediate lifting of the blockade and to reopen the Lachin corridor to allow for the two-way free and safe passage of civilians, transport, and goods along the corridor and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of the Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh).”

The WCC has made several previous statements and minutes on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), including a minute at the WCC 11th Assembly entitled “Consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war,” in which it reiterated its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons and cluster munitions, the targeting of civilians, hospitals and public infrastructure, and all other war crimes, beheadings, torture, and other atrocities witnessed during the conflict.

Malta Philharmonic suspends its principal conductor Sergey Smbatyan

Emil Karabekian

He has reportedly been arrested in Armenia on fraud allegations

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra has suspended its principal conductor,  Mro Sergey Smbatyan following international media reports that he has been arrested in Armenia on fraud allegations.

Christopher Muscat, acting CEO of the Malta Philharmonic said that without entering into the merits of the case, and without any prejudice to anything or anyone, the MPO was suspending its working relationship with Maestro Smbatyan with immediate effect.

“The MPO is following the case very closely to ascertain the facts. A final decision in respect of this case will be taken once the relevant facts and circumstances are ascertained,” Muscat said in a statement.

Smbatyan was appointed principal conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) on 1 January 2022.  

According to media reports, Smbatyan, who is artistic director and chief conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, is being held with his father Armen, in connection with an alleged real-estate fraud involving land belonging to the Tchaikovsky Music School in the capital, Yerevan.

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-philharmonic-suspends-principal-conductor.1046692

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Iranian Armenian Archbishop condemns Quran burning in Europe

Emil Karabekian
IRAN FRONT PAGE
ByIFP Editorial Staff

Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate and Archbishop of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran, has strongly condemned the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark. 

Sarkissian described the silence of Western governments, particularly European countries, toward the “inhumane” act as “regrettable”.

He said those governments hide behind the concept of freedom of speech when they approve of such sacrilegious acts as the burning of the Quran.

“We vehemently condemn this practice and [we believe] this act is not forgivable”, said the archbishop of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran.

Mr. Sarkissian added that everybody must respect the religious sanctities of other people.

He supported the demand by leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei for the handover of the man who burned the Quran to Muslim countries for trial at a competent and fair court.

https://ifpnews.com/iranian-armenian-archbishop-quran-burning-europe/

Armenia says Rome Statute ratification process not aimed against Russia

Emil Karabekian

 16:22,

YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is actively discussing the issue of the Rome Statute with Russia, Vice Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan has said.

He said that launching the process of ratification of the Rome Statute wasn’t meant to be a step against Russia and that its purpose is to prevent Azeri encroachments in sovereign Armenian territory.

Arshakyan made the remarks in response to his Russian counterpart Yuri Vorobyov’s concerns voiced during a meeting of the inter-parliamentary commission on cooperation between the Armenian and Russian parliaments.

Arshakyan expressed hope that a legal solution would be found to the issue that would be acceptable for both Armenia and Russia.

The Vice Speaker noted that Armenia had launched the ratification process before the ICC issued an international arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, which shows that the move wasn’t intended to be against Russia.

Armenia’s highest court ruled in March 2023 that the Rome Statute is in line with the constitution of Armenia. The government said earlier in June that it would submit the Rome Statute to parliament for ratification but thus far hasn’t done so.

Int’l community must either intervene or accept they are shareholder of ethnic cleansing – diplomat on Nagorno Karabakh

Emil Karabekian

 11:42,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. On a daily basis Azerbaijan is proving that it is not even capable of ensuring the narratives it’s been formulating in front of the eyes of the international community, Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan said in a tweet on Wednesday.

“On a daily basis Azerbaijan is proving that it is not even capable of ensuring the narratives it’s been formulating in front of the eyes of the international community. For instance, Azerbaijan claimed that they want to integrate the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and that they are their citizens. The international community demanded Azerbaijan to take confidence building measures and start direct talks with the representatives of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh by introducing an international mechanism with guarantees of rights and securities for Nagorno Karabakh Armenians. In response to this, prior to integrating Christian Armenians, Azerbaijan kills them by organizing various sabotage activities, then destroys Christian churches and monuments of Christian heritage, consequently, Azerbaijan has no plan to integrate Christian Armenians. Moreover, for about 7 months, it cuts off the gas and electricity supply, keeps the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh under siege, and cases of children dying of starvation have already been recorded. Naturally, with these steps, Azerbaijan is resorting to an international criminal offense, making clear to everyone that it is not taking measures to build confidence. In the contrary, it shows that the implemented policy is not meant to integrate Armenian people but to subject Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, eventually assuming a piece of land without a people. Under the pressure of these overt evidence, already proven by the circumstances, the institutions of liberal democracy of the international community must either accept that they are the shareholders of the starvation, killings and ethnic cleansing of 120,000 and 30,000 children of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians, or take clear steps in the form of international intervention to stop these crimes against humanity. Otherwise, the 21st century will be marked by yet another massive violation of human rights, more specifically an international criminal offense, which may be still prevented by the international community,” Marukyan tweeted.

Nagorno Karabakh denies Azerbaijani reports on Askeran-Akna supplies

Emil Karabekian

 12:34,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno Karabakh authorities have denied Azerbaijani reports claiming that representatives of the Red Cross, accompanied by Russian peacekeepers, are transporting humanitarian aid from Akna (Aghdam) through Askeran.

“Fresh disinformation is generated on Facebook claiming that the employees of the Red Cross, accompanied by Russian peacekeepers, are transporting humanitarian aid from Akna (Aghdam) through the town of Askeran. We call on everyone to not trust unverified information and refrain from divisive and slanderous actions,” the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement. The ministry said that not a single vehicle has passed through the Askeran police checkpoint.

It added that police officers of the Askeran police department are on 24/7 patrol at the mentioned checkpoint and the traffic of Aserkan and nearby settlements is under surveillance.

Top Armenian diplomat, OSCE chief discuss situation in South Caucasus

Emil Karabekian
 TASS 
Russia –
Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that Azerbaijan continues to block the Lachin corridor

YEREVAN, July 18. /TASS/. Issues of security in the South Caucasus were the focus of a meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid, the Armenian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

“The sides discussed issues on the regional agenda, exchanged views on the OSCE’s activities and role amid the present-day challenges. Ararat Mirzoyan briefed the OSCE secretary general on the security situation in the South Caucasus and the recent developments in the process of the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” it said.

The top Armenian diplomat stressed that Azerbaijan is ignoring the legally-binding rulings of the UN International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6 and continues to block the Lachin corridor. He called for efforts to resolve the problem of the rights and security of people in Nagorno-Karabakh.