Author: Kevo Kalantarian

French Secretary of State highlights OSCE MG’s importance over situation in NK

Kevo Kalantarian

French Secretary of State highlights OSCE MG's importance over situation in NK

Save

Share

 19:01,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France continues to consider the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship important in the situation over Nagorno Karabakh, ARMENPRESS reports Lemoyne told the reporters in Yerevan.

''A number of points are raised in the November 9 trilateral declaration, but there are missing points and those missing points should be raised in the sidelines of the Minsk Group. During the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs in December, the sides reaffirmed readiness to continue discussions in that format. The OSCE Minsk Group remains important and works should be continued under its auspices'', Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship (Russia, France and the USA) is the only mediation format engaged in Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.




MP Marukyan re-elected 1st Vice-Chairperson of PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Kevo Kalantarian

Save

Share

 11:35,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Head of the opposition Bright Armenia faction of the Armenian Parliament, member of Armenia’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Edmon Marukyan has been re-elected as first Vice-Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, the lawmaker said on Facebook.

“Today I was re-elected as the first Vice-Chairperson of one of the most important committees of PACE – the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. The Committee Chairperson has three deputies. My candidacy has been presented by the PACE Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) political group”, he said.

The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rightscomprises 85 members and their alternates to which should be added the presidents of the 5 political groups as ex-officio members. It deals with a wide range of legal and human rights topics, appointing parliamentary rapporteurs mandated to prepare reports based on in situ research, hearings and exchanges of views with experts. This work culminates in resolutions and recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) addressed to member states and other Council of Europe bodies. The Committee has three sub-committees: on human rights, on crime problems and the fight against terrorism, and on the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Baroness Caroline Cox: I have seen videos and photos of mutilations, torture and beheadings of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh

Kevo Kalantarian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 22 2021

Despite the ceasefire, reports continue of atrocities perpetrated by Azerbaijani forces on Armenian military and civilian prisoners, Baroness Caroline Cox, a member of the British House of Lords said during hearing on the Nagorno-Karabakh – Question held on January 18 in the House of Lords.  

Baroness Cox, in particular, raised the question what assessment the UK Government has made of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In response, Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State noted that the Minister for the European Neighbourhood has spoken four times to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers, most recently in November, when she welcomed the cessation of hostilities. "We recognize that both sides have had to make difficult decisions to ensure the safety and security of their citizens. We of course remain deeply concerned by allegations of war crimes, desecration of cultural heritage and the humanitarian situation, and continue to raise these with all concerned parties," said the minister. 

Baroness Cox, next informed that she had visited the region in the aftermath of the war. 'During and since my visit, I have seen videos and photos of mutilations, torture and killings—there have been beheadings of Armenians —and heard of Azeris taking phones from prisoners, filming their torture and killings and sending these back to their families. Will Her Majesty’s Government act with great urgency to ensure that Azerbaijan is called to account for the continuing, well-documented atrocities, or will they allow Azerbaijan to maintain impunity?" the asked.

Minister of State responded that the government continue to raise these issues at the highest level atrocities need to be fully looked at. 

  

Yerevan, Stepanakert Welcome European Parliament’s Condemnation of Azerbaijan

Kevo Kalantarian

January 22,  2020



European Parliament

The foreign ministries of Armenia and Artsakh on Friday separately welcomed the European Parliament’s condemnation of Azerbaijan for war crimes and Turkey for its role in aiding Baku in its aggression against Artsakh by, among other things, deploying Islamic jihadists to the war zone.

The two offices also welcomed the European Parliaments commitment to address the humanitarian crisis that has developed because of the war, including its insistence that POWs be returned to Armenia.

“There are a number of important provisions enshrined in the report-resolutions adopted by the European Parliament, which are related to the Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh and Turkey’s involvement in it, the committed war crimes, as well as the steps to be undertaken to eliminate the consequences of the aggression, especially to address humanitarian issues,” said Anna Naghdalyan, the spokesperson of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry on Friday in response to a reporter’s question.

“We particularly emphasize that the European Parliament not only condemned the war crimes, including the targeting of civilian population and infrastructure, places of worship, but also stressed that these crimes should not remain unpunished. We agree with the European Parliament’s call for Turkey to refrain from any intervention in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including offering military support to Azerbaijan, and to desist from its destabilizing actions. In this context, it is especially important that the European Parliament has also condemned the fact that Turkey transferred foreign terrorist fighters from Syria and elsewhere to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone,” added Naghdalyan.

The spokesperson hailed the European Parliament’s efforts to advance humanitarian assistance, emphasize the need to return POWs and protect Armenian cultural sites from destruction.

“We would like to stress the importance of the efforts of international community, in the form of such resolutions, to contribute to the elimination of the causes and consequences of the war, which in accordance to the resolution, supposes the lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the determination of the future legal status of Artsakh on the basis of the Basic Principles proposed by the Co-Chairs. As it was once again emphasized by this respective international body, right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and security lies at the basis of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” added Naghdalyan.

The Artsakh Foreign Ministry issued a statement, in which it highlighted the European Parliament’s commitment to ensuring the security of the people of Artsakh and providing due condemnation of Azerbaijan’s war crimes, including the use of cluster bombs against civilian targets and deploying poisonous gas in its attacks.

“We share the assessments of the European Parliament related to the events caused by the use of military force by Azerbaijan, as well as the ways out of this situation. In particular, we consider it important to stress the viewpoint of the European Parliament on the need to ensure the security of the Armenian population in Nagorno Karabakh, to preserve the Armenian cultural heritage, to ensure the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their former places of residence, and to exchange the prisoners of war and the bodies of the deceased without delay,” said the Artsakh Foreign Ministry.

“We acknowledge the importance of duly investigating all the alleged war crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. It is noteworthy that the European Parliament also specifically called for an international investigation into the alleged presence of foreign fighters, terrorists and the use of cluster munitions and phosphorus bombs,” said the foreign ministry announcement. “We welcome the European Parliament’s support for the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict founded on the Basic Principles proposed by the international mediators.”

“We join the European Parliament’s condemnation of the destabilizing role of Turkey, which seeks to undermine the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group for the sake of its ambitions of playing a more decisive role in the conflict settlement process,” added Stepanakert.

“We share the view of the European Parliament that a lasting settlement has not been found yet We are convinced that a comprehensive and just settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict can be achieved on the basis of the recognition of the right to self-determination realized by the people of Artsakh and the de-occupation of the territories of the Republic of Artsakh,” said the Artsakh Foreign Ministry.

Parliament to hold extraordinary session to debate election of members of Supreme Judicial Council

Kevo Kalantarian

Save

Share

 11:41, 22 January, 2021

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament will convene an extraordinary session today at 12:00.

The lawmakers will debate the election of members of the Supreme Judicial Council.

The ruling My Step faction has nominated Gagik Jhangiryan’s and Davit Khachaturyan’s candidacies for the members of the Supreme Judicial Council.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Two Armenian rescuers wounded in landmine explosion during search operations for war casualties

Kevo Kalantarian

Save

Share

 15:48,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Two Armenian rescuers suffered injuries in a landmine explosion during search operations for the bodies of the Artsakh War victims in the territory adjacent to the village of Nrnadzor of the Meghri region in the Province of Syunik.

The incident happened midday January 19.

Captain Artyom Shahnazaryan and Warrant Officer Aram Navasardyan of the Rescue Service were treated at the Meghri Medical Center and are now being transported to the Kapan city hospital, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said. 

Other details weren’t immediately clear.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Ombudsman: People cannot use some lands in Armenia’s Nrnadzor border community due to border determination

Kevo Kalantarian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 11 2021
 
 
The visits of Armenia’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan and his staff to Syunik Province of Armenia continue. On Sunday, they visited Meghri and Nrnadzor border communities. The ombudsmen presented details of the visit in a post on Facebook.
 
"During the discussions in Nrnadzor, it turned out that the residents could not use almost 200 hectares of agricultural land in the village due to a number of administrative and judicial processes. The Human Rights Defender's Office will take the necessary measures in this regard. Moreover, according to both the mayor of Meghri and the residents of Nrnadzor, this issue has become very urgent after the end of the wartime military hostilities.
 
"As a result of the Human Rights Defender's meetings with the residents of Nrnadzor, discussions with community bodies and field studies, it was revealed that due to the approaches used to determine the state borders of the Republic of Armenia, there are lands in the village after the war (for example, for private or economic purposes) which the residents of the region have been deprived of the opportunity of their use, and which are of foremost necessity to provide for and to sustain their livelihood," he said.
 
Investigations by the Human Rights Defender's Office have also revealed that threats to the right to life and safety of border residents, their physical and mental inviolability, and other vital rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Armenia have emerged or some of the rights have already been violated.
 
"The Armenian authorities should make these issues directly related to the determination of the state borders of the Republic of Armenia a priority issue in order to ensure the unimpeded implementation of the rights of the border settlements of our country, and in this case, specifically as it relates to the residents of Nrnadzor. It is unacceptable that at present there are no direct communications between the public administration bodies of the Republic of Armenia and the referenced issues of the villagers.
 
"For example, what should a person do if he has a certificate of state registration of land ownership, but because the Azerbaijani military directly targets him, the use of the land will endanger his life and his mental health, or that of his family member, or that the use of such land has become impossible?
 
"Moreover, these references are to such lands, for which the certificates confirming the state registration of rights, including property rights, were issued either by Soviet Armenia or by the competent bodies of different periods of the Independent Republic of Armenia (Cadastre Committee, etc.)," Tatoyan wrote.
 
During Sunday's visit, important discussions took place with the mayor of Meghri, as well as with the personnel of the Armenian Armed Forces who are carrying out their selfless heroic service, he noted.
 
"The Human Rights Defender's Office also obtained facts necessary for the protection of human rights in specific situations, in connection with which separate summaries will be made and the necessary measures will be taken," the ombudsman added.
 

Turkish press: Azerbaijan starts construction of new airport in liberated Karabakh

Kevo Kalantarian
 ANKARA EUROPE 
JAN 16, 2021 12:41 PM GMT+3
President Ilham Aliyev helps lay the foundation for the Fuzuli airport and Fuzuli-Shusha highway in a recently liberated area of Fuzuli district, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14, 2021. (AA Photo)

The leader of Azerbaijan laid the foundation for a new airport and highway in Fuzuli district, which was recently liberated from Armenia's nearly three-decade-long occupation, the presidency said Friday.

On Thursday, President Ilham Aliyev helped pour stone for the Fuzuli-Shusha Highway, which includes the construction of bridges and tunnels, at the 27 kilometer (17 mile) mark of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway, as well as an international airport in Fuzuli district.

The airport will have a 2.8-kilometer (1.7-mile) runway and is expected to be equipped with infrastructure according to international standards.

"This is a very important project for the development of our liberated regions. The Fuzuli International Airport is to be commissioned this year. At least the runway should be commissioned this year. The airport building may be commissioned this year or next year," said Aliyev.

He said the main purpose of the airport is to facilitate the arrival of foreign visitors to Shusha, which is near the airport.

Accompanied by first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughter, Leyla, the president then visited Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, which was also liberated from Armenian forces.

"Work has begun to restore the city of Shusha, restore its historical appearance. In general, only two months have passed since the war ended, but extensive construction work has already begun," he said.

The Azerbaijani leader also emphasized that a second international airport will be built on liberated lands in Kalbajar or Lachin districts, a suitable site is being selected, and the construction of two international airports must be completed in the near future.

"The great return begins. All work has begun. I am sure that just as we drove the enemy out of our lands in a short time – in a matter of 44 days – we will restore our ancestral lands of Karabakh in a short time. Karabakh is Azerbaijan!," said Aliyev.

During a meeting with servicemen in Shusha, Aliyev said he would restore the city and all destroyed areas and historical sites.

"In the near future, we will ensure the restoration of Shusha in a planned manner. Of course, from now on we must protect Shusha like the apple of an eye. Our soldiers, our heroic sons will protect Shusha so that the enemy does not venture to look in this direction," he said.

Aliyev stressed that if anyone in Armenia thinks of revenge, they will again deal with Azerbaijan's "iron fist.”

"This iron fist broke their backs and crushed their heads. If they commit any provocation against us, our response will be very harsh, they will be very sorry and face a bitter defeat again," he said.

Aliyev and his family later visited the Saatli, Yukhari Govharagha and Ashaghi Govharagha mosques. Following prayers, he presented Qurans brought from Mecca to the mosques.

"During the occupation, the enemy destroyed our religious sites in the liberated lands, devastated 67 mosques or made them unusable," he said.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, Armenia launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the six-week-long conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages, while at least 2,802 of its soldiers were killed. There are differing claims about the number of casualties on the Armenian side, which, sources and officials say, could be as high as 5,000.

The two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10, 2020, to end fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

A joint Turkish-Russian center is being established to monitor the truce. Russian peacekeeping troops have also been deployed in the region.

The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces have withdrawn in line with the agreement.

Violations, however, have been reported in recent weeks, with Armenian soldiers reportedly hiding in the mountainous enclave.

Azerbaijan constantly delays POW release to cause mental suffering to Armenian people, ombudsman says

Kevo Kalantarian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 12 2021
 
 
Azerbaijan is evidently politicizing the issue of prisoners of war (POWs), which is inadmissible, Armenia’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan told a news conference on Tuesday.
 
He underlined that politicizing humanitarian issues in the post-war stage is unacceptable and a gross violation of international humanitarian law.
 
"According to the international standards, prisoners of war must be released and returned to their home countries immediately after the end of hostilities. It is prohibited to launch criminal proceedings against them, their detention or arrest, which is considered a punishment, is also banned. Moreover, artificially protracting these issues is also prohibited, in fact, it amounts to a war crime," the ombudsman said.
 
According to Tatoyan, Azerbaijan is pursuing a policy of applying the November 10 trilateral statement only to the previous situations.
 
"This is also inadmissible. It should be applicable to situations after November 10 as well, that is, so long as the parties have prisoners who are largely connected with the military operations," he said.
 
The ombudsman noted that Azerbaijan constantly delays the release of POWs to cause mental suffering to the Armenian people, especially to the families of the prisoners, and to play with the people’s feelings, at the same time causing tensions.
 
"Our study shows that this is obviously part of Azerbaijani policy. Besides, they do not unveil the real number of prisoners," Tatoyan said.
 
Asked whether he is ready to meet with the commissioner for human rights of Azerbaijan, Tatoyan said. "I am ready, there is no problem, but I have always had a precondition that if issues related to Artsakh are to be discussed, the Artsakh ombudsman must take part in the meeting as well, as it is a human rights-related issue, not a political one. In the case of Armenia, I am always open for cooperation as the human rights defender of Armenia,” he added.
 

Online maps show parts of Kapan Airport, where Azerbaijani forces are stationed, as Armenian territory – Ombudsman

Kevo Kalantarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 9 2021
Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan and his staff carried out inspection of the areas of the runway and administrative building of Kapan airport, in the immediate vicinity of deployment of Azerbaijani forces.
 
Studies show that not only the Kapan airport, but also the traffic on Kapan- Yerevan (M2) highway and a number of residential areas in the city of Kapan are endangered, the Ombudsman said in a Facebook post.
 
“During the visit to Kapan’s airport and a number of villages, the Google map and several other online maps showed different results. In some cases the road from Kapan to Chakaten village, as well as the Kapan airport road, and the sections of Kapan airport where the Azerbaijani forces are stationed, were presented as part of territory of the Republic of Armenia,” the Human Rights Defender said.
“Human Rights Defender’s visits to Kapan and surrounding villages show that as a result of the approaches used so far, and especially the mechanical application of Global Positioning System (GPS) or Google maps, pose a serious threat to the right to life and security of border residents, their physical or mental inviolability and other rights of vital importance guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. The security of the Armenian state borders is endangered,” the Ombudsman’s Office said.
 
“In particular, with the mechanical application of this principle, various sections of the road from Kapan to Chakaten and other villages came under Azerbaijani control, which put the movement of civilians in real danger. At the same time, it must be taken into account that this road is absolutely necessary for the security of the villages of Chakaten, Shikahogh, Srashen, Nerkin Hand, Tsav and the vital rights of the inhabitants,” the Office said.