Author: Kalantarian Kevo

SEX WORK SHOULD BE LEGALIZED IN ARMENIA: HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE

epress.am
03.22.2012

Sex work and brothels in Armenia should be legalized, as a result
of which several issues connected to human rights would be resolved,
says Mikael Danielyan, head of the Yerevan-based Helsinki Association
for Human Rights.

Speaking to Epress.am, Danielyan said that often it is law enforcement
officials who are at sex workers’ back and if the industry was
legalized corruption risks could be avoided. Legalization would
also allow those working in the industry to form trade unions, as
is the case in some countries, and it would be possible to defend
the rights of sex workers. Furthermore, legalization would allow for
safer services as sex workers could undergo routine check-ups without
the stigma attached to their profession.

According to Danielyan, though sex work is subject to administrative
responsibility and pimping (soliciting), to criminal accountability,
the industry is blooming in Armenia, being a widespread underground
business. The human rights advocate finds that at least for this reason
it would be good to legalize the industry – making it controllable
and respectable, because, all the same, a large number of men in
Armenia use the services of sex workers and prohibition basically
is a formality as it’s not possible to eradicate the world’s oldest
profession.

Sex workers are fined 1,000 drams for accepting money the first time
they’re caught and 2,000 drams, the second time, Danielyan said, but
in July, these administrative penalties will be increased to 20,000
drams for a first-time offense and 40,000 for a second. This might
lead to sex workers raising their rates, Danielyan added.

Though many organizations in Armenia work toward protecting the rights
of sex workers, the issues are many, he said.

“Sex workers are often forced to become a tool in the hands of law
enforcement bodies, informers, so that they can work without problems.

Sex workers are arrested, but more often arrested are the “Mama Rosas,”
who sometimes are unable to reach an agreement with those watching
their back. It’s known that there are different types of sex work –
street walkers and call girls, who are more expensive and elite. But
for the most part, the latter’s rights are protected,” he said.

In Danielyan’s opinion, sex work won’t be legalized under the current
government and this is also tied to the way of thining of Armenian
society today. However, even if there are liberals or democrats in
Armenia’s government, almost nothing will change because the ideology
of most of them is likewise nationalistic, which doesn’t provide for
publicly raising such issues.

“Most likely, there won’t be a deputy who will raise this issue;
they would be embarrassed, since according to the national mentality,
it’s not acceptable to say this could be legalized,” he said, adding
that the issue always will remain current because it directly relates
to the protection of human rights.

Recall, two days ago, Epress.am published an article stating that a
website was launched in Armenia in which sex workers are offering
their services and which has become a topic of discussion both in
the media and on social networking sites. The Armenian police has
announced that it is looking whether the site’s activities are in
violation of the country’s constitution or not.

FRENCH LANGUAGE DAY AT THE UN CELEBRATED AT FRENCH UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA

armradio.am
22.03.2012 17:26

Students, university professors, authorities, diplomats and journalists
learned more about use of the French Language at the UN during the
observation of the French Language Day at the UN organized today.

In addition to being one of the UN official languages, French is one
of the two working languages of the UN Secretariat. It is also spoken
on all continents, playing an important role in spreading the message
of the UN in the world.

The event was initiated by the UN Department of Public Information
(UNDPI) and the French University in Armenia and supported by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and the French Embassy. It
was conducted in the framework of the Month of Francophonie in Armenia.

The UNDPI in Armenia jointly with its partners will mark in 2012 the
days of all six UN official languages. French language is the first
on the list.

Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator, Joëlle le Morzellec, Rector
of French University in Armenia, Henri Reynaud, French Ambassador,
John Sloan, Canadian Ambassador, and Christian Ter Stepanian, Adviser
to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, in charge of “Francophonie”
spoke about importance of the French language for the UN development
and called Armenian youth to further study this language.

Dafina Gercheva, the UN Resident Coordinator said: “I am happy to
see so many young people in the audience today! It is important that
Armenians are learning French, which will help them to open the borders
and learn more about the world around, will help them to be citizens
of the world. We exist in a multilingual world where the languages
we speak, or read, or write, affect the way we think and act.”

Joëlle le Morzellec, Rector of French University in Armenia said:
“French is a unique language: traditionally acknowledged as the
language of diplomacy, it’s also a language of culture. And now it’s
the language of communication for the 75 countries of Francophone
economic space in the context of globalization”.

The students of the French University spoke on the usage of French
Language at the UN and presented their film where their peers talked
why they are learning French. Public learned more about work of the UN
High Commissionner for Human Rights, while watching a film on a French
language. The initial draft of this one of UN founding documents was
written in French. The event was concluded with the performance of
schoolchildren from school N 78 and the Basic French School.

ELECTION CAMPAIGNING: OLD OBJECTIVES – NEW METHODS
Armen Arakelyan

hetq
14:05, March 22, 2012

With the lowering of internet rates and the entrance of the web into
even the most remote of villages, we must take a new look at the role
of TV in shaping public opinion in the run-up to elections in Armenia.

There are risks in relying only in traditional news outlets and public
relations methodologies to get one’s message across.

This reality is understood by the political forces gearing up for
the elections, as well as the government and TV companies.

This new ser of circumstances directly impacts on the functionality
of TV when it comes to election campaigning.

Given the relative absence of sharp political divisions, as was the
case before the 2008 presidential elections, has forced the ruling
regime to review its prior aggressive TV campaign stance and adopt
the appearance of competition.

This review began in 2009-2010, with the changes to the “Law on TV
and Radio” that were aimed at creating a degree of freedom for the
management of the media. While there were no practical results, it
did create a legal basis to show that the authorities had in fact
made changes.

Without doubt, political forces have greater access to TV than in
2007. One month ago, Armenian Public TV and private broadcasters
issued their rate schedule for air-time.

According to the Electoral Code, the price of one minute of air-time
cannot exceed the average price of advertising time for the six months
prior to the scheduling of elections.

This has allowed for a decrease in TV rates for political adverts. But
the private TV stations have adopted a personal approach to the matter
of decreasing rates.

If entertainment-based stations (Armenia, Shant) decreased rates by
20%, the more news oriented stations (Yerkir Media, Kentron, ArmNews)
conditionally decreased rates by 1/3rd.

The high viewing rates of the former forced the latter to respond
with greater accessibility.

The only exception was Armenian Public TV, which kept its 2007 rates.

They are on par with the rates published by the private entertainment
stations.

Thus, Armenian Public TV adopted a business approach to rates rather
than one in the public interest, as stated in its mandate.

With the exception of ArmNews, all other broadcasters offering
political air-time can today reach the farthest village via satellite.

Thus, Armenian Public TV has been deprived of its former advantage
in this regard. Thus, there is no logic to Public TV’s adopted rate
schedule.

But it is not paid air-time that impacts on public perceptions of the
electorate as much as the so-called “hidden political advertising”
or the counter-campaigns. This is the sector that has traditionally
spawned manifestations of inequality and discrimination, given that
it remains outside the legal realm of control. It is a formulation
of the programming policies adopted by the TV stations.

In this respect, the ruling regime and political forces aligned to it
have traditionally received better coverage, both quantitatively and
qualitatively, than the rest of the pack. This divide was really big
in the past. TV stations were quite boldfaced in the advantageous
coverage and positive slant it offered those in power. To this we
must add the negatively slanted coverage given to the competition
and the lack of news alternatives.

This aspect isn’t so great today, but it’s not due to the decrease of
“hidden advertising” or counter-advertising. There are the following
two factors at play

First, there is the so-called “sorting” of TV companies, a certain
difference of political preferences, that weren’t apparent before.

Two political forces participating in the elections, the ARF and
Prosperous Armenian Party, have TV stations of their own – Yerkir
Media and Kentron. Armenian Public TV, H2, Armenia and Shant TV fall
under the purview of the ruling regime; under the unofficial control
of the Republican Party. This reality creates a mixed news/campaign
broadcast environment. The true campaign competition in these TV
stations began much earlier and was evidenced by the slanted and
restricted coverage afforded to the outsiders. These stations,
in addition, created unequal conditions for those forces lacking
the necessary financial resources – the Rule of Law Party, Armenian
National Congress or the Communist Party. While TV airtime was not
closed to them, they were restricted to saying the bare minimum.

The second factor dealt with the change of the nature of hidden
advertising, which in turn was based on the change of campaigning
tactics of the ruling authorities.

While allowing for a certain widening of the restricted freedom of
TV and radio stations, the regime started to build its campaigning on
two approaches. The first envisaged a constant, long-term coverage of
the regime’s activities but in smaller sound bites. This has been the
approach in operation since 2009, after the fall in ratings of the
regime and its support core due to the economic and political crises.

The benevolent actions of the parties were the main tool that was used
– the social, health and other services paid for by the largesse of
the Republican and Prosperous Armenia parties.

To be sure, all this largesse, the distribution of gifts and charity,
was all for show but it had a certain impact on public perceptions
given the constant coverage such displays were afforded.

The tendency to equate official state and party functions has grown
of late, especially in the run-up to elections.

Just look at the number of trips made by the prime minister,
the secretary of the Security Council, and other officials to the
outlying regions allegedly for work-related reasons. They hand out
party memberships cards, discuss election plans with local party
representatives, and appear before the TV cameras that cover such
events as if they are somehow related to the functioning of the
government and the functions of government officials.

These are typical examples of hidden advertising.

In contrast to TV, radio stations are relatively freer. Armenian
Public Radio operates on the principle of equality amongst the
political forces and unbiased coverage.

Armenia Liberty radio continues to serve as an alternative source of
news and information in Armenia.

The other radio stations, mostly focused on entertainment and music,
restrict their news coverage to short reports lacking any political
context. These stations won’t have much of an impact in the election
campaign.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:

THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF CYPRUS AT THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA IN ANTELIAS

“Genocide by Turkey against the Armenians and Cypriots is taking a different
form today”
Said His Holiness Aram I

“We shall continue struggling, until justice and human rights are restored”
Stated Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis , the Foreign Minister

This morning the Foreign Minister of Cyprus met with His Holiness Aram I in
the presence of Dr. Bedros Karajerjian and Mr. Dekran Jimbashian, President
and Secretary respectively of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate,
Minister Panos Manjian, Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Catholicosal Vicar in
Cyprus, Mr. Parsegh Zartarian, Representative of the Executive Council of
the Diocese of the Cypriot and Archbishop Komitas Ohanian. The Ambassador of
Cyprus to Lebanon, Homer Mavromatis, and five staff members of the Foreign
Ministry accompanied Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis.

During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, Catholicos Aram I first
welcomed the guests and then expressed his appreciation for the cooperation
between the Republics of Cyprus and Lebanon. He then spoke of the long
relations between the Armenians and Greeks, particularly during the Kingdom
of Cilicia and the long-standing ecumenical relations between the two
churches. He emphasized the urgency of cooperating and reinforcing relations
in view of the common agenda regarding Turkey. His Holiness then informed
the Foreign Minister of the recent international conference of experts held
in Antelias to discuss the Armenian Genocide. He concluded: “Turkey’s
occupation of Cyprus and confiscation of religious and cultural monuments is
a new form of genocide against the people of Cyprus and our people.”

In her response, Minister Kozakou-Marcoullis expressed her government’s
appreciation of the contribution of the Armenian community in the
development of Cyprus. The Foreign Minister also informed the Catholicos
that she planned to visit Armenia in early April. She concluded by
emphasizing the need to continue strong cooperation in order to counter
Turkey’s negationist policy and to continue to work for justice and human
rights.

Before leaving the Catholicosate, the Foreign Minister asked to visit the
Martyr’s Chapel and pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian
Genocide.
##
Photos:

DINK’S LAWYERS FILE NEW LAWSUIT

Panorama.am
23/03/2012

The lawyers of Agos daily founder Hrant Dink demand a new lawsuit based
on State Board of Control (DDK) assessments on Dink’s assassination,
Turkish daily Cumhuriyet reported.

A lawsuit composed of 18 demands has been filed in Istanbul’s Chief
Prosecutor’s Office.

The DDK assessment unveils new details and comprehensive research
over the case. “Statesmen are attached to Dink’s assassination,
hence a public trial must be launched to unveil the truth,” document
submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office reads.

ARMENIA’S FORMER FM ATTENDS 7TH ANNUAL BRUSSELS FORUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 23, 2012 – 16:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian is
in Brussels March 23 to 25, attending the 7th Annual Brussels Forum,
sponsored by the German Marshal Fund of the United States.

The Brussels Forum is an annual meeting of the world’s political and
financial leaders, as well as senior journalists and opinion makers
from around the world.

This is the fifth time Mr. Oskanian has attended the Brussels Forum.

This year, he will be speaking in a session entitled “The South
Caucasus – Too Far From Europe, Too Close To Trouble?”

Others on the panel are the Foreign Minister of Latvia, Edgars
Rinkevics, and the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Ekaterine
Tkeshelashvili.

The three-day meeting will feature sessions on Iran, Syria,
Afghanistan, the European financial crisis, energy issues, as
well as half a dozen other current topics. Catherine Ashton, High
Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security,
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, Carl Bildt, Foreign
Minister of Sweden, Erkki Tuomioja, Foreign Minister of Finland,
Amin Jemayel, former president of Lebanon are among the high-level
participants, together with heads of major Russian, American, Middle
Eastern and U.S. think tanks and publications.

A. DAVTYAN: FORMAT CHANGE WITHOUT AGREEMENT OF ARMENIAN SIDE IMPOSSIBLE

Panorama.am
23/03/2012

“In general we’re against the replacement of France, and any kind of
format change, as the previous years are evidence that the OSCE Minsk
group format is the best. Since the ceasefire regime was launched,
peace has been preserved, which testifies to the efficiency of the
format,” Republican MP Artak Davtyan told Panorama.am remarking on
European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee recommendations.

European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a document
suggesting to replace France in the OSCE Minsk group with the
European Union.

“Foreign Affairs Committee disposition isn’t an innovation. I’m
not sure the replacement will be efficient. Moreover, it will more
complicate the things. There are many delicate points in the NK issue,
which the co-chairing states possess. Imagine all the 27 EU member
states getting involved in it,” A. Davtyan said.

The MP mentioned that some countries are jealous with France for
possessing such a responsible role, or are committed to improve their
reputation being engaged in the NK issue.

“Anyway it’s unacceptable for us, and format change without agreement
of Armenian side is impossible,” Republican MP said.

ORDINARY GENOCIDE: NEW DOCUMENTARY SHEDS MORE LIGHT ON ETHNIC CLEANSINGS AGAINST ARMENIANS IN AZERBAIJAN
By Gohar Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow
23.03.12 | 13:40

Marina Grigoryan (center), Larisa Alaverdyan (right)

A documentary telling about ethnic cleansings of Armenians in
Karabakh has been produced within the framework of the Ordinary
Genocide project by the Public Relations and Information Center of
the president’s staff. Its director says the film is “a condemnation
of crime against humanity”.

Enlarge Photo

The infamous operation Ring, better known as Koltso, was plotted and
implemented by the Soviet army and Azeri militia task force, OMON,
from April 1 to August 20, 1991, with the purpose of displacing the
Armenian population from as many of their settlements in and around
Karabakh as possible, and at the same time spread fear and suppress
the national liberation movement.

Marina Grigoryan, creative director and author of the documentary
titled Artsakh, which is the first part of the “Operation Ring:
April-August, 1991” film, says the operation was the last
crime Azerbaijan perpetrated against the civilians of Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh] and Armenia, before the start of active hostilities.

In the process some 100 people were killed in the villages of
Nagorno-Karabakh, around 10,000 were displaced, more than 600 were
taken prisoner, abused and tortured, part of whom went missing and
their fates remain unknown.

Grigoryan says the film has unique video fragments that have not been
shown anywhere until now.

“A number of international organizations have documented records of
the events of the operation Ring; there are also many testimonies of
foreign eyewitnesses. All these records, documents, as well as rare
archive video footages, interviews with eyewitnesses are featured in
this documentary,” she says.

Project co-author, MP Larisa Alaverdyan says with regret that many in
Armenia and Arstakh do not know about this operation, but hopes that
the film will serve as a good source of information to raise public
awareness of the tragic events.

“At the] time of such unrestrained information war, we have to find
our word and have our say in it, too. Films such as this can serve
that very purpose, so we have to use this opportunity and voice the
truth so that the world can see it,” says Alaverdyan.

Ara Saghatelyan, in charge of the Public Relations and Information
Center, says the project is of great importance and will be continuous,
translating these films and making them reach as large an audience
as possible.

“These documentaries create a proper ground both for our diplomatic
representatives in other countries while advocating and presenting
the Armenian position, the Armenian side of the events, and for
non-governmental structures to present our position and the truth in
other countries and to uninformed circles,” says Saghatelyan.

This is the fourth film of the series produced as part of Ordinary
Genocide project, the other three being “Baku, January, 1990”,
“Sumgait, February, 1988”, and “Maragha, April 10, 1992”.

The next documentary will be Pat II of operation Ring, telling about
Soviet Armenia, since the operation covered not only Nagorno-Karabakh,
but also the border regions of Soviet Armenia.

The premier of Part I will be on March 29, aired right after midnight
(12:10 a.m.) by H1 Public TV, which besides Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh
and Javakhk (Georgia), is broadcast in Europe, North America and
Australia.

ARMENIA THIRD ON MALE DEATH DUE TO TOBACCO – REPORT

news.am
March 23, 2012 | 13:59

Armenia is the third state in the Tobacco Atlas defining the percentage
of death from smoking. Tobacco Atlas is issued by World Lung Foundation
and American Cancer Society.

The map shows that 32.7% of male deaths are due to tobacco in Armenia.

The fist in the list is Turkey – 37.6% of male deaths, followed by
Kazakhstan – 34.7%.

The report says 7.7% of female deaths are due to smoking in Armenia.

ARMENIAN REVOLUTIONARY FEDERATION PARTY’S PRE ELECTION PROJECT TO HAVE SERIOUS SOCIAL, DEMOCRATIC BASIS, FAR AWAY FROM GOSSIPS

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 23, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. “”New formed parliament will be more
various”” Artashes Shahbazyan ,ARF parliamentary faction Secretary told
a press conference, Armenpress reports. He wishes future Parliament
has MPs present projects to the best benefit of the country.

Artashes Shabazyan highlighted the fact that real, radical changes
must be made. “”Our pre election platform will have serious social,
democratic basis away from gossips and extremities. “”We shall
come forth with realistic and non romantic programs “”the party
representative stated.

Shabazyan almost excluded their party to become a part of coalition in
the case of sorting out the forces in that way; surely if the goals
and programs do not change. “”During those years the party has never
changed its stance and will not do it later”” politician stated.

Armenian Revolutionary party list (85 nominees) is topped by
party leader Vahan Hovhannisyan . Armen Rustamyan, ARF Supreme
Body representative and MP Artashes Shabazyan follow the list. The
registration of nominees electoral lists will last until April1.The
campaign will be launched on April 8.

22 parties and one block were running in 2007 May 12 elections.