FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0OaZbByN$
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief
=================================================
Friday 21 April 2023
AZERBAIJAN: Fined for religious celebration, then arrested
At least seven Shia Muslims faced court cases for taking their children to
a celebration in a shopping centre of the anniversary of the birth of
Fatima, the daughter of the Islamic prophet Mohammad. Four were fined two
months' average wage. One of those fined, Mail Karimov, was arrested at the
court and is among hundreds of Shia Muslims in jail under investigation on
drugs charges which human rights defenders say are fabricated. The criminal
trial of Shia Imam Sardar Babayev continues in Baku.
AZERBAIJAN: Fined for religious celebration, then arrested
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2826__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0I4y-xQ8$
By Felix Corley, Forum 18
In late January and early February, a Baku court heard cases against at
least seven Shia Muslims for taking their children to a celebration in a
shopping centre of a key religious festival, the anniversary of the birth
of Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Islamic prophet Mohammad. After police
brought the cases, at least four of the men were each fined the equivalent
of about two months' average wage. The four appear not to have appealed
against their fines.
The four denied that any organised religious event had taken place. The
court decision in the case of one of the Muslims, Tabriz Qulubayli, notes
his defence: "He takes his children for a walk and entertainment on
religious holidays" (see below).
The court sent back to police the case against a fifth Muslim as the record
of an offence had not been completed correctly. Forum 18 has been unable to
find out if the cases against the other two Muslims led to any punishment
(see below).
Telephones at the 2nd Police Station of Khazar District – which brought
the cases against the Muslims – went unanswered each time Forum 18 called
(see below).
The woman who answered the phone at the Baku City Office of the State
Committee for Work with Religious Organisations on 20 April put the phone
down after Forum 18 asked to speak to the head, Anar Kazimov. Subsequent
calls went unanswered (see below).
One of those fined, 40-year-old Mail Karimov, was arrested at the court on
2 February, the day the fine was handed down. Another Baku court ordered
him held the same day for four-months as police investigate him on
drug-related criminal charges. His family found out he had been arrested
only two days later (see below).
Exiled human rights defender Arif Yunus put the number of devout Shia
Muslims the regime arrested between January and mid-April at 370. "The
regime has had cameras in all mosques since 2009 to identify the most
active believers and the police and secret police have lists of prominent
and respected believers, like Karimov," Yunus told Forum 18. "So when the
order to arrest people comes, they know who to go for" (see below).
The criminal trial on treason charges of Shia Imam Sardar Babayev – who
has been under arrest since in October 2021 – began in Baku in March and
continues (see below).
The Supreme Court in Baku is due to hear on 8 June the appeal by Jehovah's
Witness conscientious objector Seymur Mammadov against his conviction for
refusing compulsory military service on grounds of conscience. He was
initially jailed, but the sentence was changed on appeal to a one-year
suspended sentence. The regime has repeatedly refused to honour its
commitment to the Council of Europe to introduce an alternative to
compulsory military service by January 2003 (see below).
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg has been in
contact with the regime about one of the cases lodged by Imam Babayev about
his long pre-trial detention, as well as on three cases where individuals
were jailed or fined for holding religious meetings (see below).
The ECtHR is still considering nine cases from Azerbaijan related to
violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief, lodged between
2014 and 2022 (see full list below).
Fined for children's presence at Muslim celebration
The anniversary of the birth of Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Islamic
prophet Mohammad, a key festival especially for Shia Muslims, was marked
this year on 13 January. That day, Shia Muslims went with their young
children to the Zagulba shopping centre in Buzovna. The shopping centre is
located on the Absheron peninsula east of Baku in the city's Khazar
District.
The date coincided with the eighth anniversary of the founding of the
Muslim Unity Movement. The charter of the movement describes one of its
aims as "the protection and development of national and moral Islamic
values in society" and particularly concentrates on young people.
The regime has jailed numerous Muslim Unity Movement members. The
movement's leader, prisoner of conscience Taleh Bagirov (also known as
Bagirzade), is serving a 20-year sentence handed down in January 2017
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2254__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0GApZgRy$
). He is being held in
the high-security Qobustan prison, 40 kms (25 miles) south west of Baku.
On 14 January 2023, officers of the 2nd Police Station of Khazar District
– including Lieutenant Javanshir Asgarov – drew up records of an
offence against at least seven Muslim men. The cases were then handed to
Khazar District Court.
The men were all accused of violating Administrative Code Article 515.0.3.
This punishes "clergy and members of religious associations holding special
meetings for children and young people, as well as the organising or
holding by religious bodies of organised labour, literary, or other clubs
and groups unassociated with holding religious ceremonies".
"In Baku, a group of parents involved children in the performance of
religious rituals illegally," the Interior Ministry told the local media on
14 January. "On 13 January, the local police received information about a
group of people in the village of Buzovna involving their minor children in
the performance of religious rituals. An investigation is currently
underway." It added that "legal measures" would be taken against those who
"illegally involve minors in the performance of religious rituals".
Telephones at the 2nd Police Station of Khazar District went unanswered
each time Forum 18 called on 20 April.
On 26 January, Judge Huseyn Huseynli of Khazar District Court sent back to
police the case against one of the men as the record of an offence had not
been correctly completed, according to the decision seen by Forum 18. It
does not appear that the case was returned to court.
Between 26 January and 2 February, various Judges heard the other cases,
according to the decisions seen by Forum 18. On 31 January, Aga-Ali
Yahyayev (in his absence) was given the minimum fine of 1,500 Manats (two
months' average wage for those in formal work). In separate hearings on 1
February, Tabriz Qulubayli and Zamin Abdullayev were also fined 1,500
Manats each. On 2 February, Mail Karimov was also fined 1,500 Manats.
The court decision in Abdullayev's case records his denial of any
wrongdoing: "On 13 January 2023, his friend wrote to him and informed him
that there is entertainment for children in Zagulba shopping centre located
in the village of Buzovna," the court decision notes. "He took his two
children and went to that party, and they played there. He had no intention
of attending any religious gathering."
The court decision in Qulubayli's case notes his denial that he or his
children attended any religious gathering: "He takes his children for a
walk and entertainment on religious holidays."
Forum 18 was unable to find out if the court punished the two other Muslim
men, Rasif Chiraqov and Khosrov Azizov.
None of the men appear to have appealed against the court decisions to Baku
Appeal Court.
The woman who answered the phone at the Baku City Office of the State
Committee for Work with Religious Organisations on 20 April put the phone
down after Forum 18 asked to speak to the head, Anar Kazimov. Subsequent
calls went unanswered.
Arrest
On 2 February, the day Khazar District Court fined him, officers of
Sabunchu District Police's 14th Station arrested Mail Kamal oglu Karimov
(born 1983). His family found out about his arrest only two days later,
according to the list of political prisoners
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ipd-az.org/ru/political-prisoners-for-19-april-2023/__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0BOAPYWb$
) issued
on 19 April by human rights defenders Leila Yunus and Elshan Hasanov.
Also on 2 February, Baku's Sabunchu District Court ordered Karimov held in
pre-trial detention for four months. Police are investigating him on
charges of large-scale drug trading under Criminal Code Article 234.4.3.
During a 7 February search of Karimov's home, police tried to plant
"religious leaflets of a provocative nature or with photographs of
Ayatollah Khomeini and other Iranian leaders", the political prisoners list
notes.
Police have arrested numerous other individuals they regard as being
connected to or sympathetic to Iran
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://eurasianet.org/mass-arrests-of-religious-shias-reported-in-azerbaijan__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0KEpqI-U$
),
whose leaders the Azerbaijani regime has taken to calling the "mullocratic
regime".
Exiled human rights defender Arif Yunus put the number of devout Shia
Muslims the regime arrested between January and mid-April at 370. "The
regime has had cameras in all mosques since 2009 to identify the most
active believers and the police and secret police have lists of prominent
and respected believers, like Karimov," Yunus told Forum 18 on 21 April.
"So when the order to arrest people comes, they know who to go for."
Mosques are only allowed to function if they are under the control of the
state-controlled Caucasian Muslim Board
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2429__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0PcfkX8B$
), although this is
nowhere stated in published law. The state now appoints and removes all
imams
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2749__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0CNTt8U3$
).
Yunus noted that earlier the regime arrested Sunni Muslims, but now Shia
Muslims are being targeted. "Earlier the regime often brought
administrative cases. Now there is mass repression of believers and
criminal cases." He said that while the regime accuses those they have
arrested of ties to Iran, almost all are being investigated on
drugs-related charges.
Supreme Court to hear conscientious objector's appeal on 8 June
Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector Seymur Afqan oglu Mammadov (born
16 August 2000) lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court in Baku on 14
February against his conviction for refusing compulsory military service on
grounds of conscience. Judge Ilkin Rajabov is due to hear Mammadov's appeal
on the morning of 8 June, the Supreme Court website notes.
On 22 September 2022, Goranboy District Court convicted Mammadov under
Criminal Code Article 321.1 ("Evasion without lawful grounds of call-up to
military service or of mobilisation, with the purpose of evading serving in
the military, is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years [in
peacetime]"). The court jailed him for nine months
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2776__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0LRpuwvq$
).
Mammadov was arrested in the courtroom at the end of the trial and was
taken to Investigation Prison No. 2 in Ganca. "It was a very unexpected
decision, especially given the recent [ECtHR] decisions against
Azerbaijan," Jehovah's Witnesses told Forum 18 from Baku in September 2022.
Mammadov appealed to Ganca Appeal Court. At the final hearing on 12
December 2022, the prosecutor stated that he supported the decision of
Goranboy District Court but, given Mammadov's age and positive character
references, he requested a two-year suspended sentence. The court partially
satisfied the appeal and replaced the nine-month jail term with a one-year
suspended sentence
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2796__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0AGpz_I1$
).
Mammadov was released in the courtroom immediately after the hearing.
Mammadov's conviction gives him a criminal record in addition to the
suspended sentence.
If the Supreme Court rejects Mammadov's appeal, he would be able to bring a
case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg. The court
has found in favour of other convicted Jehovah's Witness conscientious
objectors, most recently in October 2021, when it ordered the regime to pay
compensation
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2796__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0AGpz_I1$
) to two
young men convicted earlier for refusing compulsory military service on
grounds of conscience.
The regime promised the Council of Europe that it would introduce a
civilian alternative to compulsory military service by January 2003. It did
not honour this commitment
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2796__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0AGpz_I1$
). United Nations (UN)
human rights bodies, as well as the Council of Europe's Venice Commission
and its European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), have
repeatedly criticised Azerbaijan's failure to introduce a civilian
alternative to compulsory military service
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2429__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0PcfkX8B$
).
ECtHR communicates case as new trial begins
The trial of Shia Muslim Imam Sardar Akif oglu Babayev (born 12 March 1974)
began on the morning of 9 March under Judge Akhmed Quliyev at Baku's
Serious Crimes Court, an individual familiar with his case told Forum 18
from Baku. Imam Babayev is on trial under Criminal Code Article 274 ("High
treason"). He rejects the charges, saying the accusations against him are
baseless, his lawyer Javad Javadov told Forum 18 on 3 March, before the
trial began.
The State Security Service (SSS) secret police arrested Imam Babayev in
October 2021 on treason charges. The SSM has held him since then at its
Investigation Prison in Baku. Baku's Sabail District Court has repeatedly
extended his pre-trial detention, including in September 2022
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2776__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0LRpuwvq$
). Baku Appeal Court
rejected Babayev's appeal against the further extension of his detention.
On 14 April 2023, once his trial had already begun, Sabail District Court
extended Imam Babayev's pre-trial detention again, this time until 19
September.
Human rights defender Elshan Hasanov described the treason case against
Imam Babayev as "clearly fabricated". "No one believes Sardar Babayev is an
Iranian spy," exiled human rights defender Arif Yunus told Forum 18 in
February 2022
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2718__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0PU_pk-z$
).
From 2017 until his release in February 2020, Imam Babayev served a
three-year jail term
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2557__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0OAeop-1$
)
for leading mosque prayers after gaining Islamic education outside
Azerbaijan.
The telephone of the SSS secret police Press Office in Baku went unanswered
each time Forum 18 called on 20 April 2023.
Babayev's lawyer Javadov lodged a case to the European Court of Human
Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg on 23 March 2022 (Application No. 19549/22)
about the continued holding of his client in pre-trial detention, which had
then lasted six months.
The ECtHR "Communicated [the case] to the Government without request for
observations" on 19 January 2023, according to ECtHR records.
The address of the SSS secret police Investigation Prison where Imam
Babayev is being held is:
Dövlat Təhlükasizliyi Xidmati
Istintaq Tacridxanasi
Parlament Prospekti 14
Baku AZ-1009
Azerbaijan
ECtHR asks regime questions in three cases
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg has asked the
regime questions in three other freedom of religion or belief related cases
from Azerbaijan.
On 13 March 2023, the ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224171__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0MO8tj3v$
) in the case of Mammadov and
Others v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 30498/17).
Police raided a religious meeting in a Baku home by Muslim readers of Said
Nursi's works in April 2014. In October 2015, a Baku court jailed Ismayil
Mammadov, Eldeniz Hajiyev, Shahin Hasanov and Zakariyya Mammadov. Their
April 2016 appeal hearing reduced their sentences but did not overturn them
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2173__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0B60M5Y9$
). They lodged a case
to the ECtHR on 10 April 2017 about their jailing.
The ECtHR asked the regime and the applicants whether they had a fair
hearing in the determination of the criminal charges against them and
whether the domestic courts established the existence of all the elements
of the criminal offences of which the applicants were convicted and provide
adequate and relevant reasons for their decisions.
On 20 March 2023, the ECtHR asked the regime questions about two other
cases, Hajiyev v. Azerbaijan
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224215__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bhl89yn$
)
(Application No. 21807/18) and Abdullayev v. Azerbaijan
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224215__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bhl89yn$
) (Application No. 38997/22).
A Baku court fined Eldeniz Hajiyev under Administrative Code Article
515.0.2 ("Violating legislation on holding religious meetings, marches, and
other religious ceremonies") to punish him for a March 2017 meeting for
worship without state permission. He lodged a case to the ECtHR on 27 April
2018.
A Baku court fined Muslim Nursi reader Salman Abdullayev
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2795__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Gj0mGPp$
) 1,500 Manats (two
months' average wage for those in formal work) under Administrative Code
Article 515.0.2 ("Violating legislation on holding religious meetings,
marches, and other religious ceremonies") to punish him for a September
2021 meeting for worship in his home without state permission. He lodged a
case to the ECtHR on 21 July 2022.
The ECtHR asked the regime and the applicants in both cases whether they
were deprived of their liberty in breach of the European Convention on
Human Rights. It asked to see copies of the detention records, as well as
any other documents relating to their detention. It also asked whether the
applicants had a fair hearing.
In both cases, the ECtHR also asked whether there was interference with the
applicants' freedom of religion within the meaning of the Convention and,
if so, whether that interference was prescribed by law and necessary, as
required by the Convention.
Nine known cases awaiting ECtHR decisions
The ECtHR in Strasbourg has already completed 63 cases from Azerbaijan
submitted since 2004 related to violations of freedom of religion or belief
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2665__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Fz4gTue$
) and inter-related
rights.
Of these 63 completed cases:
- 19 ended in findings of violations and awards of compensation;
- 20 were closed after Azerbaijan admitted violations and offered
compensation in a "unilateral declaration";
- 13 were friendly settlements, where the regime agreed to pay compensation
(in 1 case it also admitted violations);
- 11 were dismissed or withdrawn (one following the death of the
applicant).
In 40 of the 63 concluded cases the ECtHR found that the regime had
violated human rights related to the exercise of freedom of religion or
belief or the ECtHR accepted the regime's admission that it had violated
these rights. The regime has paid the compensation awarded by the ECtHR to
the victims. However, the regime has not changed laws (as it is required to
do) to prevent a recurrence of such violations.
Nine ECtHR cases related to the regime's violations of freedom of religion
or belief are known to remain. The cases – submitted between 2014 and
2022 - cover a wide range of violations. All 9 were lodged by Muslims. Some
cases cover more than one violation, such as police seizing religious
literature during a raid on a meeting for worship.
In approximate reverse chronological order of violation they are:
- Jailed for exercising freedom of religion or belief (1 case involving 1
individual applicant)
- State censorship of religious literature (1 case involving 1 individual
applicant)
- Raid on and punishments for meetings for worship (3 case involving 3
individual applicants)
- Jailed for leading prayers or religious meetings (3 cases involving 5
individual applicants)
- Unlawful house search (1 case involving 1 individual applicant)
Details of all nine cases are given below.
ECtHR: Jailed for exercising freedom of religion or belief
Babayev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 19549/22)
The State Security Ministry (SSM) secret police arrested Shia Muslim Imam
Sardar Babayev in October 2021. Prosecutors are investigating him on
treason charges, accusing him of cooperating with and taking instructions
from an Iranian intelligence agency, and acting against Azerbaijan. Imam
Babayev rejects the allegations against him, arguing that they are
politically motivated. His lawyer Javadov objected to the continued
pre-trial detention.
The ECtHR "Communicated [the case] to the Government without request for
observations" on 19 January 2023 (see above).
ECtHR: State censorship of religious literature
Miriyev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 1717/20).
In February 2018, the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations
on theological grounds banned the publication and distribution of the book
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2351__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0G4k0sYU$
) "Things Not Existing
in Islam" by Muslim theologian Elshad Miri (also known as Miriyev).
Repeated legal appeals against the ban failed
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2485__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0K3SUfIt$
). After failing on 20
December 2019 in the Supreme Court to overturn the ban, Miri lodged a case
in the ECtHR
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2490__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Nt3k_Ie$
).
The ECtHR has not yet asked the regime questions about the case.
ECtHR: Raids on and punishments for meetings for worship
1) Abdullayev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 38997/22
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224215__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bhl89yn$
)).
A Baku court fined Muslim Nursi reader Salman Abdullayev under
Administrative Code Article 515.0.2 ("Violating legislation on holding
religious meetings, marches, and other religious ceremonies") to punish him
for a September 2021 meeting for worship in his home without state
permission. He lodged a case to the ECtHR on 21 July 2022.
The ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224215__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bhl89yn$
) about the case on 20 March
2023 (see above).
2) Hajiyev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 21807/18
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224215__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bhl89yn$
)).
A Baku court fined Eldeniz Hajiyev under Administrative Code Article
515.0.2 ("Violating legislation on holding religious meetings, marches, and
other religious ceremonies") to punish him for a March 2017 meeting for
worship without state permission. He lodged a case to the ECtHR on 27 April
2018.
The ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224215__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bhl89yn$
) about the case on 20 March
2023 (see above).
3) Rafiyev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 81028/17
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-186530__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0HM5BX9H$
)).
In March 2017, police raided a home in Quba where Muslims who study Said
Nursi's works were meeting and seized religious literature. Almost all of
those present were fined in March 2017, including Vuqar Rafiyev
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2294__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0CkG7eGB$
).
The ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-186530__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0HM5BX9H$
) about the case on 6 September
2018.
ECtHR: Jailed for leading prayers or religious meetings
1) Babayev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 34015/17
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-186531__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0NwxjPCt$
)).
Police arrested Shia Muslim Imam Sardar Babayev in February 2017 for
leading prayers in a mosque having gained his religious education outside
Azerbaijan
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2295__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0NL9cpTO$
).
The ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-186531__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0NwxjPCt$
) about the case on 4 September
2018.
"The government gave its comments, they were sent to us and we in turn gave
our comments," his lawyer Javad Javadov told Forum 18 in March 2020
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2557__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0OAeop-1$
). He said they are now
waiting for the ECtHR to give its judgment.
2) Babayev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 26896/18). After a court jailed
Imam Sardar Babayev in July 2017 for three years, his lawyer lodged this
second case
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2353__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Lsuy9Ix$
) to
challenge the conviction for leading prayers.
The ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-217506__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0M8rgHmp$
) about the case on 3 May 2022.
3) Mammadov and Others v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 30498/17
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224171__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0MO8tj3v$
)).
Police raided a religious meeting in a Baku home by Muslim readers of Said
Nursi's works in April 2014. In October 2015, a Baku court jailed Ismayil
Mammadov, Eldeniz Hajiyev, Shahin Hasanov and Zakariyya Mammadov. Their
April 2016 appeal hearing reduced their sentences but did not overturn them
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2173__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0B60M5Y9$
). They lodged a case
to the ECtHR on 10 April 2017 about their jailing.
The ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-224171__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0MO8tj3v$
) about the case on 13 March
2023 (see above).
ECtHR: Unlawful house search
Miragayev v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 29550/14
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-187776__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bl1inQZ$
)).
In May 2012 police and the then-National Security Ministry (NSM) secret
police raided Zeka Miragayev's Baku home
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=1719__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0MozACP8$
). Police confiscated
30 copies of the Koran, 24 other books (including some by Said Nursi), a
computer, and a small sum of money. After repeated failures of legal
challenges to the raid and confiscations
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=1820__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0FlOIzsG$
), the ECtHR
application concerns the unlawful search of the applicant's flat. Miragayev
also notes that he was not duly notified of a hearing before the Supreme
Court.
The ECtHR asked the regime questions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-187776__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Bl1inQZ$
) about the case on 24 October
2018. (END)
Full reports on freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Azerbaijan
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?query=&religion=all&country=23__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0Aaq9Ovq$
)
For more background, see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom survey
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2429__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0PcfkX8B$
)
Forum 18's compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=1351__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0H-G24e_$
)
Follow us on Twitter @Forum_18
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/forum_18__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!qgcJ38ridy7GGLr3zyL-rWsGwPo43DT3FJP8o-EWdNZ5HNF9o1trjlxk1kBptiJXnWqsddxn3m8WTfrx45OA0DEOH85X$
)
Follow us on Facebook @Forum18NewsService
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)
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Forum 18
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Author: Emil Lazarian
“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS
Prosecutor General calls for serious work in education programs to have stress-tolerant society to prevent suicides
14:10, 21 April 2023
YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS. Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan said that the general prosecution has already outlined the work on identifying the reasons of suicides in the country. She described the more than 60% growth in suicides to be “concerning”.
Vardapetyan made the remarks during a parliamentary committee session on the annual report of the prosecution.
“We are really concerned over the growth in suicides. We’ve outlined the works for identifying the reasons. Although this isn’t the prosecution’s function, we’ve regularly made notifications through motions regarding identified reasons as part of specific proceedings concerning both civilians and military servicemembers, but now we will inform the relevant bodies more intensively, for example the defense ministry and others,” Vardapetyan told lawmakers at the Parliamentary Committee on State and Legal Affairs.
She said the reasons behind suicide in the country vary, ranging from certain manifestations of depression up to individual or social phenomena, as well as gambling-related occurrences, which impact the person’s mental state.
“There is a need for serious psychological work here, but not individually, rather institutionally, for example serious work should be done in educational programs in order to have a stress-tolerant society, because we live in an information noise, and sometimes this noise flows into very unprepared minds. We will present concrete recommendations during the next session to address the problem on the state level,” Vardapetyan said.
Armenia, Artsakh Urge Russia to End Blockade after Illegal Lachin Corridor Checkpoint
Azerbaijan set up an illegal checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor
After Azerbaijan illegally set up a checkpoint on the blockaded Lachin Corridor, the authorities in Yerevan condemned Azerbaijan for the blatant violation of the November 9, 2020 agreement and called on Russia to “fulfill its obligations” and end the blockade of Artsakh.
Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan also made a similar appeal to Moscow after convening an emergency session of the country National Security Council.
With the establishment of the illegal checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor, “the people of Artsakh have once and for all become hostages in the hands of Azerbaijan, with the growing danger of apparent ethnic cleansing, and that the further effect of the Trilateral Ceasefire Agreement is under serious threat,” said Harutyunyan.
“We appeal to the parties of the Trilateral Ceasefire Agreement, and especially the Russian Federation, to immediately start discussions on lifting the blockade of Artsakh, preventing the establishment of an Azerbaijani checkpoint and providing real guarantees for the security of the people of Artsakh,” the Artsakh president added.
“We anticipate that effective step will be taken to resolve the security and humanitarian problems faced by the people of Artsakh in the shortest possible time, the absence of which will allow the government and the people of Artsakh to decide what to do next,” the statement said.
Below is the text of a statement issued on Sunday by Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.
On the authorities of Azerbaijan, grossly violating the provision 6 of November 9, 2020 Trilateral statement, have already officially blocked the Lachin corridor, taking steps to install a checkpoint in the corridor in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
This step carried out by the armed forces of Azerbaijan today cannot even be considered as another provocation of Azerbaijan: it is really a flagrant violation of one of the fundamental provisions of November 9, 2020 Trilateral statement, aimed at the consistent implementation of Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and the complete annihilation of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. The continuous illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor since December 12, 2022 under fabricated environmental pretexts and the installation of a checkpoint under false and groundless pretexts today are the continuation of the consistent implementation of this planned policy.
This action is being carried out against the unequivocal statements of the international community and especially the legally binding decision of February 22, 2023 of the International Court of Justice. Furthermore, the authorities of Azerbaijan not only are not making an effort not only to fulfill the well-known agreements, but they are covering up their continuous violations of the fundamental norms of international law as well as in every possible way aggravate the regional situation, preparing the ground for the use of large-scale force.
The Republic of Armenia, as a signatory to the November 9 Trilateral statement, considers this step of installing a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan unacceptable. This, as well as the previous similar actions of Azerbaijan, combined with continuous Armeniophobic and threatening rhetoric, are aimed at scuttling the negotiations on the document on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
We call on the Russian Federation to finally fulfill the obligation under provision 6 of the Trilateral statement by eliminating the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor and ensuring the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the entire security zone of the corridor, and we call on the member states of the UN, having a mandate for the preservation of international security, to clearly record Azerbaijan’s actions undermining the regional security and take effective steps towards the unconditional implementation of the decision of the ICJ, the highest international legal body.
Azerbaijan sets up checkpoint on vital road to Armenia
Germany –
CONFLICTSARMENIA
3 hours ago
Azerbaijan has set up a checkpoint on the only road connecting Armenia to the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region for the first time since the 2020 war.
In a statement on Sunday, the state border service said that a border checkpoint was set up at the entrance of the road. It said the decision was in response to a similar move by Armenia.
The border service added that the checkpoint was to "prevent the illegal transportation of manpower, weapons, mines."
This is the first time Azerbaijan has taken such a step since the end of a 2020 war with Armenia over the contested region. As per the cease-fire which ended the war, Baku is required to guarantee safe passage on the Lachin Corridor.
The road has been patrolled by Russian peacekeepers since. But skirmishes between the two enemy states have persisted. Armenia has often said Russia is preoccupied by its invasion of Ukraine, distracting Moscow from its peacekeeping role in the region.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry accused Armenia of using the corridor for army staff rotation, as well as "the transfer of weapons and ammunition, entrance of terrorists, as well as illicit trafficking of natural resources and cultural property."
It said on Sunday that it built the checkpoint in light of "threats and provocations." The ministry added that it had recorded military convoys entering the country's territory and setting up military infrastructure "at the point closest to the territory of Azerbaijan."
"Providing border security, as well as ensuring safe traffic on the road, is the prerogative of the government of Azerbaijan, and an essential prerequisite for national security, state sovereignty and the rule of law," the ministry said.
Armenia condemned the checkpoint as a "flagrant violation" of the 2020 cease-fire agreement.
"We call on the Russian Federation to ultimately implement the trilateral statement," the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.
The US expressed deep concern regarding the Azerbaijani checkpoint. The US State Department said the move "undermines efforts to establish confidence in the peace process."
"We reiterate that there should be free and open movement of people and commerce on the Lachin corridor and call on the parties to resume peace talks and refrain from provocations and hostile actions along the border," the statement read.
Meanwhile, Armenia's Defense Ministry reported the death of one of its soldiers after Azerbaijani forces opened fire on an Armenian position in Sotk. The village lies some 60 kilometers (roughly 37 miles) west of the border with Azerbaijan.
Baku denied killing an Armenian soldier.
Azerbaijan later said Armenian troops fired on Azerbaijani units in the Lachin district, which Yerevan denied.
Long-contested since a separatist war ended in 1994, the Nagorno-Karabakh region has fueled fighting between neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan. The region lies within Turkey-backed Azerbaijan but had largely been under the control of Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenian forces since 1994.
In 2020, a six-week war brought areas of the region under Azerbaijan's control and ended with a Russia-brokered peace deal.
https://www.dw.com/en/azerbaijan-sets-up-checkpoint-on-vital-road-to-armenia/a-65411806
Azerbaijan Says Set Up Checkpoint On Key Route To Armenia
BARRON'S
Azerbaijan said it set up a checkpoint Sunday on the Lachin corridor, the only land link between Armenia and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.
The two ex-Soviet Caucasus nations have fought two wars over Azerbaijan's Armenian-majority region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Sunday's checkpoint is the first set up by Azerbaijan since the latest war ended in 2020 with a Russian-brokered ceasefire.
"The units of the Azerbaijani Border Service established a border checkpoint on the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, at the entrance of the Lachin-Khankendi road," the state border service said, adding it was a response to a similar move by Armenia.
Baku and Yerevan went to war in 2020 and in the 1990s over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Under the ceasefire that ended the 2020 conflict, Azerbaijan is required to guarantee safe passage on the Lachin corridor, which is patrolled by Russian peacekeepers.
Azerbaijan, however, said it set up the checkpoint at 12:00 pm (0800 GMT) on Sunday "to prevent the illegal transportation of manpower, weapons, mines."
The foreign ministry accused Yerevan of using the corridor for the rotation of army staff, "the transfer of weapons and ammunition, entrance of terrorists, as well as illicit trafficking of natural resources and cultural property."
It said on Saturday it recorded military convoys entering Azerbaijan's territory and "the construction of military infrastructure… at the point closest to the territory of Azerbaijan."
The checkpoint was built "in light of these threats and provocations" and "shall be implemented in interaction with the Russian peacekeeping force."
Tensions had been brewing around the Lachin corridor since last year.
In December, Azerbaijani activists blocked the Lachin corridor to protest what they claim was illegal mining.
Yerevan accused Baku of staging the demonstrations and creating a humanitarian crisis in the mountainous enclave.
Armenia has also accused Russia, embroiled in its Ukraine offensive, of failing to prevent the blockade.
bur/giv
RFE/RL Armenian Report – 04/23/2023
Sunday, Armenia Calls Azerbaijani Roadblock ‘Illegal’ The Armenian Foreign Ministry building in Yerevan Official Yerevan has denounced the installation by Azerbaijan of a checkpoint on the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia as “illegal” and “unacceptable”, calling on Russia to live up to its commitments to provide the security of the mostly Armenian-populated region. In a statement issued on Sunday Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the roadblock that Azerbaijan said was set up at the border with Armenia near the Hakari river bridge “grossly violated” the terms of the Moscow-brokered 2020 ceasefire under which Russian peacekeepers are to control a five-kilometer-wide corridor between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. “It is really a flagrant violation of one of the fundamental provisions of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement that is aimed at the consistent implementation of Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and the complete annihilation of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Armenian ministry said. The trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020 put an end to a six-week Armenian-Azerbaijani war over Nagorno-Karabakh in which nearly 7,000 soldiers were killed on both sides. The war in which Azerbaijan regained all of the Armenian-controlled areas outside Nagorno-Karabakh as well as chunks of territory inside the Soviet-era autonomous oblast proper was followed by international efforts to broker a peace deal between Yerevan and Baku. In its statement today Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “the installation by Azerbaijan of a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor as well as previous similar actions combined with continuous Armeniophobic and threatening rhetoric are aimed at scuttling the negotiations on a document for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” “We call on the Russian Federation to finally fulfil its obligation under provision 6 of the trilateral statement by eliminating the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor and ensuring the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the entire security zone of the corridor,” the Armenian ministry underscored. In substantiating its decision to set up the checkpoint, Azerbaijan’s State Border Service cited the need to curb further “military supplies” from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, a claim repeatedly denied in both Yerevan and Stepanakert. A bridge over the Hakari river, . On April 22, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian peacekeepers controlling the area again helped Armenians transport “military cargoes” from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin road. It also reported an incident in which three Azerbaijani soldiers were injured when their vehicle was blown up on a mine allegedly supplied from Armenia. Azerbaijan’s State Border Service also said that the opening of its checkpoint followed a similar unilateral step by Armenia made on April 22. Authorities in Yerevan have not yet commented on this. Meanwhile, in a statement issued today Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged that “necessary conditions” will be created for “a transparent and orderly passage of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan” through the checkpoint in both directions. It stressed that the control mechanism will be carried out in cooperation with the Russian peacekeeping force. According to a local leader in Armenia’s southern Syunik region that borders on the Lachin corridor, as of Sunday afternoon negotiations were underway between Russian peacekeepers and Azerbaijan’s representatives regarding the checkpoint. Meanwhile, a United States Department of State representative said on April 23 that Washington is “deeply concerned that Azerbaijan’s establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor undermines efforts to establish confidence in the peace process.” “We reiterate that there should be free and open movement of people and commerce on the Lachin corridor and call on the parties to resume peace talks and refrain from provocations and hostile actions along the border,” said Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson, in a press statement. The only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia has effectively been blockaded by Azerbaijan since December when a group of Azerbaijanis calling themselves environmental activists blocked traffic at a junction near the Azerbaijani-controlled Karabakh city of Shushi (Susa). Azerbaijan has denied blockading the mostly Armenian-populated region, citing the fact that vehicles of Russian peacekeepers as well as representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross have not been prevented from carrying humanitarian supplies to the region and transporting people needing medical care to Armenia. Speaking in parliament earlier this week, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian stressed that Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and is ready to sign a relevant peace treaty with Baku. “The peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will become realistic if the two countries recognize clearly, without ambiguities and pitfalls, each other’s territorial integrity and undertake not to ever submit territorial claims to each other,” Pashinian said on April 18. “I now want to reaffirm that Armenia fully recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and we expect Azerbaijan to do the same by recognizing the entire territory of the Armenian [Soviet Socialist Republic] as the [modern-day] Republic of Armenia,” he added. Pashinian’s remarks drew criticism from Armenian opposition figures as well as political leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh, who claimed that they were “consistent with the position of official Baku.” Azerbaijan Sets Up Checkpoint On Karabakh Road A bridge over the Hakari river, . In a move condemned by Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani authorities on Sunday set up a checkpoint on the only road connecting the mostly Armenian-populated region with Armenia. In doing so, Azerbaijan’s State Border Service cited “continuing military supplies from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh,” a claim repeatedly denied in both Yerevan and Stepanakert. The Armenian side has, for its part, accused Azerbaijan of seeking a pretext for isolating Karabakh Armenians. De facto ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh have also accused Baku of violating the terms of the Moscow-brokered 2020 ceasefire agreement under which the road passing through a five-kilometer-wide area known as the Lachin corridor should be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. In a statement disseminated by the region’s Information Center on Sunday the ethnic Armenian authorities of the region stressed that Nagorno-Karabakh considers the closure of the bridge over the Hakari river by Azerbaijan to be “a criminal step aimed at strengthening the blockade of Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh – ed.] and ethnic cleansing.” According to the Information Center, Nagorno-Karabakh’s leader has called an emergency meeting of the region’s Security Council to discuss “the latest developments and relevant actions of the authorities.” Baku’s decision to set up a border checkpoint at the beginning of the road from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh comes a day after a report by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense about an incident in which three Azerbaijani servicemen were reportedly injured when their vehicle was blown up on a mine allegedly supplied from Armenia. In another statement the ministry claimed that Russian peacekeepers controlling the area again helped Armenians transport “military cargoes” from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin road. The Armenian side has denied both accusations. The only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia has effectively been blockaded by Azerbaijan since December when a group of Azerbaijanis calling themselves environmental activists blocked traffic at a junction near the Azerbaijani-controlled Karabakh city of Shushi (Susa). Azerbaijan has denied blockading the mostly Armenian-populated region, citing the fact that vehicles of Russian peacekeepers as well as representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross have not been prevented from carrying humanitarian supplies to the region and transporting people needing medical care to Armenia. In setting up the border checkpoint at the Lachin road Azerbaijan’s State Border Service also said that it followed a similar unilateral step by Armenia made on April 22. Authorities in Yerevan have not yet commented on the development. Meanwhile, in a statement issued today Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged that “necessary conditions will be created for the transparent and orderly passage of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan from this checkpoint to Armenia and Azerbaijan in both directions.” It stressed that the control mechanism will be carried out in cooperation with the Russian peacekeeping force. Speaking in parliament earlier this week, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian stressed that Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and is ready to sign a relevant peace treaty with Baku. “The peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will become realistic if the two countries recognize clearly, without ambiguities and pitfalls, each other’s territorial integrity and undertake not to ever submit territorial claims to each other,” Pashinian said on April 18. “I now want to reaffirm that Armenia fully recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and we expect Azerbaijan to do the same by recognizing the entire territory of the Armenian [Soviet Socialist Republic] as the [modern-day] Republic of Armenia,” he added. Armenian opposition leaders portrayed the statement as further proof of their claims that Pashinian is helping Baku regain full control over Nagorno-Karabakh. Political leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh also denounced the Armenian prime minister’s remarks, saying that they are “consistent with the position of official Baku.” Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Armenian Genocide commemoration in Montebello
MONTEBELLO, Calif. - The United Armenian Council of Los Angeles for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide organized a public gathering at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello on Saturday, April 22.
marks the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, where 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire.
The monument at Bicknell Park was opened in 1968.
Montebello is home to the oldest Armenian community in Southern California.
Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian spoke at the event and warned that the campaign to erase Armenians off the map continues today.
"With the clear echos of the Armenian Genocide still resonating as areas are joyfully celebrating the murder and the mayhem they are committing, the torture they are committing, against civilians, today…" said Krekorian.
Krekorian was referring to the ongoing attacks and blockade in Artsakh since December 2022 by neighboring Azerbaijan.
U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, California State Senators Bob Archuleta and Anthony Portantino were present and spoke—along with former Assembly member Adrin Nazarian, CA State Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, SEIU Local 721 President David Green.
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Former city of Los Angeles attorney Mike Feuer, who is a candidate for Congressional District 30—LAUSD Board Member Scott Schmerelson—Glendale Unified School Board member Nayiri Nahabedian— former Sierra Madre Council Member John Harabedian, who is candidate for State Senate District 25— Maria Ponce, staff assistant to Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis were in attendance.
The keynote speech was given by distinguished international attorney Karnig Kerkonian who traveled from Chicago to participate.
Good Day LA anchor Araksya Karapetyan served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
LAUSD schools are closed on April 24.
Armenian Genocide commemoration held in Montebello
UPDATED 7:02 AM PT APR. 23, 2023
MONTEBELLO, Calif. (CNS) — A commemoration was held in Montebello Saturday to mark the 108th anniversary of the start of the events that are widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century.
Reps. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, Linda Sanchez, D-Whittier, and Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, Sens. Bob J. Archuleta, D-Pico Rivera, and Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada, Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian and Montebello Mayor David Torres were among the speakers at the 11 a.m. commemoration at the Montebello Armenian Genocide Monument in Bicknell Park.
The commemoration also included a religious ceremony, musical performances and placement of flowers.
The event was organized by the United Armenian Council of Los Angeles.
A rally seeking an immediate end to Azerbaijan's blockade of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday outside the Azerbaijan Consulate in Brentwood, organized by Unified Young Armenians, which is also organizing an "Armenian Genocide Commemorative Rally for Justice" at 10 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue in Little Armenia.
Glendale will conduct its 22nd annual Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event at 7 p.m. Monday at the Alex Theatre, with the theme, "The Armenian Experience Through the Lens," celebrating the 100th anniversary of Armenian cinema.
On April 24, 1915, Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople, leading to an estimated 1.5 million people being killed. Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
ANN/Armenian News – TLG – No April is Good April – Bedros Afeyan – 04/24/2023
The Literary Armenian News
No April is Good April
Never a year, never a tear spared dries away memory swells for the smell of genocide in springTurks past fat Sultan decaying imperial spectacle, now modern, young, hopeful, ruthless, slipping a little French lingo to class up their base coat of red barbarisms. A little German discipline into armies of flake warriors eager to abuse and haunt till death women children and old folks in desert marches
Ruthless to the point of perfection. Duplicitous by nature. insincere in every limit. Rabid. Driven. Permanent Menace to every neighbor, every friend, every civilized sphere.
And what might we bring? A carton of love. no conquest. No shove.
A people yearn. A song book in the rain. crosses. processions, donkeys, pain.Castles, towers, churches buckling under bullet holes and cannon fire by army recruits just for thrills and heartless traces of self-loathing.
Birds we call our own, call back, hark, hawk, horror, churn.
empty streets as desert hums.
Empty cribs as wombs, saintly drums.
Drones aimed at our foreheads dialed up by surname.
Drones cheap and slender. Israeli, Turkish, garnished with bombs and hatred rain upon us as April bites and draws blood once again.108 Aprils greet each Armenian with anguish louder than justice demands as our forgone refrain.
Bedros Afeyan
Pleasanton, CA
The homepage for The Literary Armenian News is at: groong.org/tlg/
Dr. Bedros Afeyan ([email protected]) is the editor of The Literary Armenian News (TLG), and will consider works not only of poetry, but also in the area of short fiction. Quality of language, excellence of translation, quality of song and images are all crucial to the aesthetic value of any work up for consideration.
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- In art, selection is necessarily a judgement call. As such, we will not argue why a particular submission was or was not selected;
- There is no guarantee or promise that a submission will be published.
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President: Thousands of Artsakh Armenians lost their sources of income amid blockade
Panorama
Armenia –
Artsakh is facing grave social problems due to Azerbaijan’s four-month blockade of the country, President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan said on Saturday.
“Thousands of citizens have lost their sources of income. Although the state has taken major steps to meet the urgent social needs of the population, I welcome and join the initiative of Artsakh State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan, taking into consideration the need for additional efforts,” he wrote on Facebook.
“I'm transferring my salary for this month to the government's extra-budgetary account in order for the Artsakh Ministry of Social Development and Migration to provide additional assistance to our needy compatriots," Harutyunyan said.