Author: Hunanian Jack

US State Department: Murders, tortures, repressions are used in Azerbaijan

Hunanian Jack
News.am, Armenia
13:51, 31.03.2021

Azerbaijan has significant human rights issues, including unlawful and arbitrary killings, torture, arbitrary interference with privacy, politically motivated reprisal against individuals outside the country, restriction on freedom of _expression_ and the press. This is noted in the US Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2020.

On Azerbaijan, the US report highlights significant human rights issues, such as political prisoners, corruption, pervasive problems with the independence of the judiciary, violence against journalists, the criminalization of libel and slander, harassment and incarceration of journalists on questionable charges, and blocking of websites, among other concerns.

“From May 15 [2020] through the morning of May 19, the news websites Turan.az and its affiliate Contact.az experienced a massive cyberattack and were blocked twice. The attack took place after the websites published articles criticizing the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the report. “The government [of Azerbaijan] did not prosecute or punish most officials who committed human rights abuses; impunity remained a problem.”

President of Artsakh, Armenia’s Justice Minister discuss partnership

Hunanian Jack

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 12:37,

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a meeting on March 29 with Armenia’s Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan.

The meeting focused on a broad circle of issues related to partnership between Armenia and Artsakh in the justice sector, the Artsakh presidency said in a news release.

President Harutyunyan emphasized the need for intensifying and deepening the ties between relevant authorities and exchange of experience, which would contribute to swift solution of existing issues.

Badasyan’s counterpart Karen Danielyan also attended the meeting.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Asbarez: ARS Western US Social Services: County COVID-19 Community Equity Fund Update

Hunanian Jack



For those not yet familiar, the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Social Services was one of 25 community-based organizations selected in December 2020 to receive funding from the County COVID-19 Community Equity Fund (CCCEF). 

This fund, provided by the LA County Department of Health Services and the LA County Department of Public Health in partnership with Community Partners, aims to serve regions and communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes marginalized groups such as limited English language proficient communities; immigrants and undocumented individuals; African-Americans; older adults with underlying health conditions; indigenous people; people of color; LGBTQ+ individuals; individuals with disabilities, homeless individuals, unemployed individuals, and so many more. Through free COVID-19 information, services, and resources, regardless of income, medical insurance, or immigration status, the fund’s mission is to allow equitable access to all.

ARS Social Services is proud to announce exciting updates on its progress towards this goal by having already outreached to over 500 individuals in just under a few months of implementing the program. Further, in one month’s time, staff helped over 100 older adult community members receive their first dose vaccinations; distributed free personal protective equipment to over 50 small businesses in Glendale; provided system navigation services to testing sites; and disseminated informative flyers and materials to over 300 members of the community. What’s more, staff met directly with small business owners to make COVID-19 operational recommendations to promote safer workplaces for both employees and customers. Staff attends weekly trainings, debriefs, and forums to remain up to date on all the latest COVID-19 developments so the community doesn’t have to. And last but not least, staff volunteer their time at local vaccination clinics, including  the Adult Recreation Center (ARC) and the Glendale Civic Auditorium, to offer interpretive services and emotional support to community members throughout the entire vaccination process.

Whether COVID-19 poses a language barrier, technical difficulty or any other obstacle, ARS Social Services is here to help. If you or a loved one have been impacted by COVID-19 in any way, please call ARS Social Services at (818) 241-7533 to find out how the team can be of service to you. The division offers free food assistance, housing navigation, senior services, case management, access and linkages to public benefits, employment support and more year round. Staff are also able to facilitate COVID-19 testing and vaccination scheduling during these unprecedented times. 

COVID-19 hasn’t been easy for any of us, but it’s important to keep in mind that we are all in this together. Whether or not you have been vaccinated, please remember to continue wearing a mask, wash your hands often, avoid crowded spaces, and maintain physical distancing as much as possible. Together, we can slow the spread and keep our communities healthy. 

ARS Social Services is committed to providing comprehensive social services to low-moderate individuals and families through offices located in Glendale, Pasadena, and Hollywood. Services include case management, completion of forms, assistance with housing and transportation issues, senior services, Covid-19 outreach and system navigation services, employment services, referrals, English as a Second Language/Life Skills classes, refugee youth mentoring, homelessness prevention, and more. The ARS Social Services main office can be reached at (818) 241-7533 or [email protected].

Armenian civilians unharmed in stone throwing assault committed by Azeri troops in Artsakh

Hunanian Jack

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 10:22,

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenian motorists are unharmed after being assaulted in a stone throwing incident in a village of Artsakh, with perpetrators being Azerbaijani troops who were traveling escorted by Russian peacekeepers along a road in the territory of Artsakh.

The incident took place midday March 25.

The Azerbaijani soldiers threw stones from their vehicles at Armenian residents of Artsakh who were traveling on the same road. “One of the motorists was able to avoid being hit, but the motorist driving behind him couldn’t,” Artsakh Interior Ministry spokesperson Hunan Tadevosyan told ARMENPRESS.

“After the incident, the residents of the town immediately blocked the convoy from traveling further, and the Russian peacekeepers and the commanders of the Azerbaijani troops exited their vehicles and apologized,” Tadevosyan said.

The Russian commander said the Armenian motorist whose car was damaged will receive compensation.

The Interior Ministry said it will provide additional details later.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Freedom House urges Armenian authorities strike down legislation on tripling penalties for insult and defamation

Hunanian Jack
Aysor, Armenia

In response to the Armenian parliament’s approval of amendments that threaten to curtail media freedom and freedom of _expression_ by significantly increasing fines for defamation and insult, Freedom House issued the following statement:

“It is the responsibility of the Armenian authorities to protect media freedom and free _expression_ in the country,” said Marc Behrendt, director for Europe and Eurasia programs at Freedom House. “It is unfortunate that the Armenian government is supporting fines that will stifle free _expression_ and threaten the financial viability of media outlets in the country. Civil society has rightly criticized the bill on grounds that it could be abused to levy excessive fines and apply political pressure against independent media organizations for criticizing politicians and other powerful public figures. We urge the Armenian authorities to take the concerns of civil society and media organizations seriously, and strike down this legislation.”

On March 24, 2021, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted the legislative draft “On Making Amendments to the RA Civil Legislation,” tripling the maximum penalties for insult and defamation to 3 and 6 million Armenian drams (approximately $5,700 and $11,400), respectively. The bill was adopted without taking into account the views of the Ministry of Justice or the Human Rights Defender’s Office, nor of the civil society and media organizations that expressed serious concerns about it. The Union of Journalists of Armenia has appealed to Armenia’s president not to sign the law, and to send it to the Constitutional Court for review.

President Sarkissian, Lilit Makunts discuss early parliamentary elections in Armenia

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 18:14,

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received head of ‘’My step’’ parliamentary block Lilit Makunts.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office, during the meeting the sides referred to the situation in the country, the ways to overcome it, and the holding of early parliamentary elections as a solution.

Presenting their position and approaches, Lilit Makunts noted that ‘’My step’’ block highlights the improvement of the electoral code, particularly, presentation of the proportional system in the upcoming early parliamentary elections.

Artsakh Foreign Minister In Dialogue with Prominent Australian Stakeholders

Hunanian Jack



Dialogue with Artsakh Foreign Minister organized by ANC of Australia

SYDNEY & STEPANAKERT—Members of the Australian Friends of Artsakh network engaged in a virtual Zoom dialogue with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Davit Babayan, during which they discussed the situation on the ground following the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh War, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

The Australian Friends of Artsakh network is made up of over 60 prominent Australians who support the rights to self-determination of indigenous Armenian nation. On 27 September 2020 Artsakh was attacked and subjected to 44 days of war crimes by Azerbaijan, aided and abetted by Turkey and Islamist jihadist terrorists deployed to end the existence of Artsakh Armenians in their ancestral homeland.

The war ended with a one-sided ceasefire agreement on 10th November 2020, which has resulted in the illegal occupation by Azerbaijan of the Republic of Artsakh.

Artsakh’s Foreign Minister, Babayan was able to share an audience which included current and former parliamentarians, as well as members of academia and civil society.

He discussed the situation facing Armenian prisoners of war still held captive by Azerbaijan, the continued desecration of cultural and historical sites by the occupying party, as well as future plans to bring the Republic of Artsakh out of the current predicament.

During the dialogue organized by ANC-AU and the Office of the Republic of Artsakh Representative in Australia, the members of the Australian Friends of Artsakh network asked questions to better determine appropriate courses of action to bring awareness and assistance to the displaced, injured and captured Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh.

“We thank all those who participated in this dialogue and thank Mr. Davit Babayan for providing an accurate reflection of the challenges on the ground as the Republic of Artsakh faces occupation and continued threats against its existence,” said ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian. “These challenges can and will be overcome with the awareness and assistance of the international community, including those in the corridors of power here in Australia, and this dialogue was a step towards informing local leaders of the situation first-hand.”

The Republic of Artsakh’s Permanent Representative in Australia, Kaylar Michaelian promised more opportunities to connect Artsakh with Australia.

“Australia has proven her friendship to the heroic people of Artsakh through state and local government recognition motions, public pronouncements of support from individual leaders at different levels of government, academia and civil society,” said Michaelian. “Together with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, our community and our Australian friends we will continue to create opportunities to develop ties between the two countries.”

The Armenian National Committee of Australia is currently leading efforts for national recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and Australian humanitarian assistance as Armenia and Artsakh grapples with the fallout of the 2020 attacks.