Author: Jalatian Sonya

OSCE OFFICE TO HOLD DISCUSSION ON EFFECTIVE ANTI-TORTURE CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
21.06.2008 12:22

Recommendations for effective national preventive mechanisms within
the framework of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
in Armenia will be discussed at a conference on Monday, June 23
in Yerevan.

The conference, which will focus on implementation of the Protocol,
is organized by the Armenian Helsinki Committee, with the support of
the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Representatives from government agencies, the Ombudsman,
non-governmental organizations and international experts will discuss
how to improve public control over places where people are deprived of
their liberty and international experience with Protocol application,
particularly with respect to involving civil society. The discussion
aims to result in a set of recommendations for developing efficient
national mechanisms. Armenia joined the Protocol in September 2006.

Key speakers will include: Avetik Ishkhanyan, Chairperson of the
Armenian Helsinki Committee, Armen Harutyunyan, Armenian Human Rights
Defender (Ombudsman), Silvia Pogolsa, Human Rights Officer at the OSCE
Office in Yerevan, Matthew Pringle, Director of Europe and Central
Asia Programme at the Association for the Prevention of Torture,
Krasimir Kanev, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and
a Board Member of the Association for the Prevention of Torture.

RESIDENT OF CHINAR VILLAGE SHOT DEAD

armradio.am
18.06.2008 17:27

Press Service of RA Ministry of Defense informs that on June 18 at
about 15:40 fire was intentionally opened from the positions of the
rival on resident of the village of Chinar in Tavoush marz Levon
Petrosyan, 21, who was doing agriculture works.

Levon Petrosyan was seriously wounded and dies on the way to the
hospital.

NOURITZA MATOSSIAN’S "HEART OF TWO NATIONS" CHOSEN FOR SCREENING AT GOLDEN APRICOT FILM FESTIVAL

Gibrahayer
June 18, 2008

Gibrahayer – Nicosia -June Armenian Cypriot writer Nouritza Matossian’s
"Heart of Two Nations" has been chosen for screening at the Golden
Apricot Film Festival. The documentary is about assassinated Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink and his interviews with Nouritza Matossian.

The Golden Apricot Film festival will take place in Yerevan between
13-21 July in Yerevan.

Nouritza Matossian is a writer, actress, broadcaster and human rights
activist. She writes on the arts, contemporary music, history and
Armenia.

Matossian published the first biography and critical study of the Greek
composer Iannis Xenakis, the source book on his life, architecture and
music based on ten years’ collaboration with him. She later adapted
it into a 50-minute documentary for BBC2, entitled Something Rich
and Strange.

Matossian’s 1998 book Black Angel, A Life of Arshile Gorky was written
after twenty years’ research. Ararat, the award-winning film by Atom
Egoyan and Miramax, was partly inspired by Black Angel. She acted
as consultant to Egoyan who modelled the female lead role Ani on
her. Matossian also wrote and performs a solo show on Gorky’s life from
the viewpoint of his four beloved women with images and music. It has
been produced worldwide over 80 times at venues including the Barbican,
Tate Modern, London, New York, Los Angeles, the Edinburgh Festival,
Cyprus, Paris, Lebanon, Iran, Romania and Georgia. In Armenia she
performed it simultaneously in two languages.

Matossian broadcasts on the BBC and contributes to several newspapers
and magazines, including The Independent, The Guardian, The Economist,
and The Observer. She was Honorary Cultural Attache for the Armenian
Embassy in London from 1991-2000.

She spent her childhood in Cyprus with her Armenian family. Educated
in England, she graduated with Honours in Philosophy (B. Phil) from
Bedford College, University of London, then studied music, theatre
and mime in Dartington and Paris; she has a command of nine languages.

A victory for freedom of expression
Statement by Terry Davis Secretary General of the Council of Europe on
the judgment by the European Court of Human Rights on the case of
Armenian television A1+

Strasbourg, 18.06.2008 – Television is a very influential part of the
media. Decisions of regulatory bodies on the award, refusal or
withdrawal of a broadcasting licence can have a direct bearing on
freedom of expression and therefore on the functioning of democracy.

The decision of the European Court of Human Rights brings an end to the
long drawn-out saga about the refusal of the Armenian authorities to
award a broadcasting licence to the A1+ television station. The
decision comes after numerous calls from different bodies of the Council
of Europe have been ignored by the Armenian authorities. All member
states of the Council of Europe are legally bound to comply with the
European Convention on Human Rights. They should do so without being
reminded of their responsibilities by the European Court of Human
Rights.

The decision of the Court is a victory for freedom of expression. It
should also serve as a lesson to all governments inclined to arbitrary
interpretations of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human
Rights, which guarantees this essential freedom.

Une victoire pour la liberté d’expression
Déclaration de Terry Davis, Secrétaire Général du Conseil de
l’Europe, à la suite de l’arrêt rendu par la Cour européenne des
droits de l’homme dans l’affaire de la chaîne de télévision
arménienne A1+

Strasbourg, 18.06.2008 – La télévision est un média très
influent. La décision des autorités réglementaires d’accorder, de
refuser ou de retirer une licence de diffusion peut avoir un impact
direct sur la liberté d’expression et, donc, sur le fonctionnement de
la démocratie.

L’arrêt de la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme met un terme à
l’interminable saga du refus des autorités arméniennes d’accorder
une licence de diffusion à la chaîne de télévision A1+. Cette
décision intervient après les nombreux appels lancés aux
autorités arméniennes par diverses instances du Conseil de l’Europe,
qui sont restés sans effet. Tous les États membres du Conseil de
l’Europe sont juridiquement liés par la Convention européenne des
droits de l’homme. Ils sont censés l’appliquer sans que la Cour
européenne des droits de l’homme n’ait à leur rappeler leurs
responsabilités.

Cet arrêt de la Cour est une victoire pour la liberté d’expression.
Il devrait aussi servir de leçon à tous les gouvernements enclins
à interpréter de manière arbitraire l’article 10 de la Convention
européenne des droits de l’homme, qui garantit cette liberté
essentielle.

PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 452b08
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
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A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47
member states.

RA NA ADOPTS STATEMENT ON FULFILMENT OF SUGGESTIONS OF PACE RESOLUTION 1609

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 17, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 17 the National Assembly adopted
the draft statement on "The fulfilment process of the suggestions of
Resolution 1609 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe"
with 80 for, 4 against and 2 abtaining votes. Zharangutiun (Heritage)
faction voted against the draft authored by the representatives of
the political coalition.

The adopted draft has been partly amended in comparison with the one
discussed on the eve. In particular, it is mentioned in the compendious
part: "The National Assembly records that the suggestions of the
resolution are directed at the deepening of democracy in the Republic
of Armenia, improvement of the national legislation, protection of
human rights and freedoms, as well as preservation of stability in
the country." "After the adoption of the resolution within two months
concrete steps have been taken in Armenia for the purpose of the
implementation of all the suggestions of the resolution, consistent
work is being and will be conducted," is said in the statement.

The information of the Prosecutor’s Office about arrested and detained
people is also recorded in the statement. Thus, in general, 115
people have been detained in connection with the March cases. After
the adoption of the resolution and assumption of his powers by the
President of the Republic, 28 people have been released, criminal
prosecution has been stopped with regard to 21 people, the demands
of Article 70 of the RA Criminal Code have been applied towards 21
more people and they have been set free from the hall of the court
and 3 people have been acquitted by the court. 14 people have been
sentenced to 1-5 years of imprisonment by verdicts. As of June 16,
17 defendants are detained and 4 are in search.

AZERI SECURITY SERVICE BUST JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES VENUE OUTSIDE BAKU

Yeni Musavat
June 14 2008
Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security on 13 June busted a
secret place in the settlement of Lokbatan on the outskirts of Baku
where a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses held gatherings, the Azerbaijani
opposition newspaper Yeni Musavat has said.

Agents of the ministry seized maps of military shelters located
in Lokbatan, about 70 banned religious books and about 900 banned
booklets from 20 members of the religious group, the newspaper quoted
a ministry official as saying.

At the same time, Yeni Musavat said that Jehovah’s Witnesses call for
friendly relations with Armenia and discourage people from serving
in the army. Their activities have been banned in several Christian
countries, the newspaper said.

The community of Jehovah’s Witnesses was registered in Azerbaijan
in 1999.

SEMINAR OF JOURNALISTS AT STEPANAKERT PRESS CLUB

KarabakhOpen
17-06-2008 09:35:23

On Sunday a seminar of journalists took place at Stepanakert press
club, which was organized by the Civil Society Institute (Armenia).

Journalists from the Netherlands, Armenia, Italy, Lithuania and
Karabakh took part in the seminar. Similar seminars were held
in Martakert, Martuni and Shushi. The purpose of the seminar
is discussions of the topic we and others, journalist exercise,
writing of articles for the Your and My Newspaper which is published
by volunteers.

Rugile Andzukevichute from Lithuania said in an interview with
Karabakh-Open.com they are volunteers who have been living in
Armenia for already 7 months and every month their newspaper visits
one of the regions of Armenia. It was their initiative to arrive in
Karabakh. Christiana Nicoletti from Italy said they wanted to meet
with their peers in Karabakh, work with the youth because meeting
the local people is quite different from reading an article about
Karabakh in the Internet. Christiana says Karabakh is an Armenian
territory and at the same time it borders with Armenia, and it was
very interesting to talk to the people of Karabakh about it. Lusine
Gasparyan from Karabakh says it was interesting to hear how others
evaluate us. Lusine thinks such events should be held more often.

NKR PRESIDENT MEET WITH MANAGERS OF EXPOMEDIA COMPANY

ARKA
June 12

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Bako Sahakyan held
a meeting with representatives of the Expomedia exhibition company
Anna Hakobyan and Ruben Oganezov.

The Chief Information Department, NKR presidential staff, reports
that the sides discussed the organization of trade and industrial
exhibitions in Stepanakert.

President Sahakyan stressed the importance of holding exhibitions of
this kind. He pointed out that effective organization of exhibitions
requires comprehensive measures.

The meeting was attendee by NKR prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan and
Minister of Urban Development Anahit Vardanyan.–0–

"CHESS GIANTS" TOURNAMENT NAMED AFTER KAREN ASRYAN

armradio.am
12.06.2008 12:17

Taking into consideration the exceptional achievements and considerable
contribution of outstanding chess player, triple champion of Armenia,
Olympic Champion Karen Asryan to the development of chess, on June 11,
2008 the Chess Federation of Armenia took the decision to rename the
"Chess Giants 2008" international tournament into Karen Asryan’s
Memorial Tournament. The tournament will become traditional.

The decision was signed by the President of the Republic of Armenia,
President of the Chess Federation of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

LAST FAREWELL TO KAREN ASRYAN

armradio.am
11.06.2008 17:48

The Armenian society today bid the last farewell to Chess Olympic
Champion, triple Champion of Armenia, winner and prize-holder of any
international competitions, Grand Master Karen Asryan, 28, who died
on June 9.

RA President Serzh Sargsyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Tigran
Torosyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, thousands of citizens came
to the Chess House today to bid farewell to Karen Asryan. They extended
their condolences to his family and friends.

All Armenian and foreign participants of the "Chess Giants 2008"
international rapid chess tournament Levon Aronyan, Vladimir Hakobyan,
Gabriel Sargsyan, Peter Leco, Michael Adams, Xiangzhi Bu, Alexander
Morozevich and Boris Gelfand also paid last tribute to Karen Asryan.

It was noted that Karen Asryan’s death was a great loss for the
Armenian chess and the Armenian society. He was one of the brightest
figures of international chess, who lived a short but memorable life.