Author: Liana Toganian

Foreign ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan to meet in Moscow on Friday

Liana Toganian
Al-Arabiya, UAE
May 17 2023

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are set to meet in Moscow on Friday for talks on resolving a decades-long territorial dispute, Russia said.

The meeting follows several rounds of talks led by the European Union and United States.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Brussels and Washington’s increased diplomatic engagement in the Caucasus has irked traditional regional power-broker Russia.

A meeting involving the foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan “will take place in Moscow on May 19,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters.

Before the trilateral talks the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, are expected to discuss a draft peace treaty, she said.

Baku and Yerevan fought two wars — in 2020 and in the 1990s — for control of Azerbaijan’s Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Six weeks of hostilities in autumn 2020 ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire that saw Armenia cede swathes of territory it had controlled for decades.

Yerevan has grown increasingly frustrated over what it calls Moscow’s failure to protect Armenia in the face of military threat from Azerbaijan.

With Russia bogged down in Ukraine and unwilling to strain ties with Azerbaijan’s key ally Turkey, the United States and European Union have sought to steer the talks.

On Sunday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Brussels for a new round of talks hosted by European Council President Charles Michel.

Another meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev was set for June 1 in Moldova and is expected to involve French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

TAAL Brings Elected Officials, Experts & Community Leaders Together to Discuss Anti-Armenian Racist Flyers in Beverly Hills and Glendale

Liana Toganian
 Gagrule.net
April 20 2023

APRIL 20, 2023 BY ADMINISTRATOR

‘It’s unfathomable that on the heels of the Armenian Genocide anniversary on April 24, Armenians are terrorized by flyers around schools and churches that call for the extermination of Armenians’ — Vic Gerami, Founder, TAAL

Los Angeles — Truth And Accountability League (TAAL), in partnership with the LA County Commission on Human Relations’ LA vs. Hate, will hold an in-person Town Hall, ‘Stand Hall to Hate,’ on Thursday, May 4, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This free event with RSVP is open to the public and is being held at the Glendale Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, 91205. It will feature an open panel discussion with city officials, experts, and community leaders, including the Executive Director, L.A. County Commission on Human Relations Robin S. Toma, Esq., Glendale Mayor Daniel Brotman, Police Chief Manuel Cid, Chief of Staff Joseph F. Iniguez from the LA County District Attorney’s Office, and State Commissioner Sam Kbushyan. 

Moderated by TAAL’s founder & Chair, Vic Gerami, the goal of the meeting is to bring awareness, educate the public, and discuss solutions to the rising anti-Armenian racism, Armenophobia, and propaganda through questions and discussion with participants.

‘The recent anti-Armenian flyers posted around LA County, home to hundreds of thousands of Armenian-Americans, remind us that we must be vigilant about racism, hate acts, and propaganda. It’s unfathomable that on the heels of the Armenian Genocide anniversary, Armenians are terrorized by flyers around schools and churches that call for the extermination of Armenians,’ said Vic Gerami, founder of TAAL.  

He added, ‘But we mustn’t allow the hate of a few to create division, pin us against each other, and get us stuck in the problem. The Truth And Accountability League is focused on the solution. We want to bring together, not only members of the Armenian community, but everyone to create awareness, educate, and find answers. Our panel of leaders and experts will discuss ways to handle malice that aims to victimize, dehumanize, and diminish us. Hate acts affect everyone, regardless of ethnic background, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. TAAL’s Town Hall is a forum to empower everyone.’ 

The two-hour event is a part of TAAL’s comprehensive and integrated Community Outreach Campaign to address the rise in anti-Armenian hate crimes the last three years, including the anti-Armenian flyers posted in Glendale on March 31 and similar ones in Beverly Hills in January and that called for the massacre of Armenians. 

‘The Armenian American community is such an essential part of our L.A. County community, but the amount of discrimination and negative stereotyping they’ve experienced is too often understated because it is underreported,’ said Robin S. Toma, Executive Director of the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations. ‘I look forward to sharing the data we collect on acts of hate in our county, and most importantly, what we are doing with LA vs Hate to increase reporting and eradicate hate in all our cities and neighborhoods.’ 

‘Stand TAAL to Hate’ is a Town Hall to benefit every group that has experienced racism, been subject to hate crimes, and defamation, along with LA’s Armenian community, which has been a target of such acts more frequently in recent years. With its nearly 40% Armenian community, Glendale is the perfect crossroad for such an event.

Glendale Mayor Daniel Brotman said, ‘I am proud to be the Mayor of Glendale, a city rich with diversity, including one of the largest Armenian diaspora communities in the world. The Jewel City has zero tolerance for racism, hate acts, and defamation. I strongly condemn the recent anti-Armenian flyers and work with Glendale Police and community leaders to find the perpetrator.’

He continued, ‘I’m honored to be a panelist for the Truth And Accountability League’s Town Hall. I applaud Vic Gerami and his team for launching a community outreach campaign to create awareness, educate, and empower not only the residents of Glendale but all of LA County.’

We’ve also witnessed the former president of the LA City Council, Nury Martinez, make a racist statement about a colleague that was caught on tape. The prevalence of the problem led the Burbank Board of Education to revise its anti-racism statement and update the board policy to stand in solidarity with Armenians. 

‘I look forward to participating in the Truth and Accountability League Town Hall in May. Coming together to discuss hate, accountability, and transparency is a powerful act of solidarity and progress. This will be a great opportunity to educate our community on the efforts law enforcement is making to address these challenges, as well as to learn, share, and work together towards a more equitable future,’ said Manuel Cid, Chief of Police, Glendale Police Department.

The audience will have a chance to submit questions in writing before the start of the town hall. RSVP is required and can be sent through Eventbrite: TAALTownHall.Eventbrite.com

‘As district attorney of Los Angeles County, home to more than 200,000 Armenians, I’m immensely proud to represent the largest Armenian population in the United States and the greatest number outside of Armenia itself,’ District Attorney George Gascón said. “Our Armenian community makes tremendous academic, artistic, altruistic, and many other contributions to our region.’ 

He continued, ‘These hate-filled flyers that incite violence are abhorrent and must be condemned. My office takes hate crimes very seriously, filing 86 percent of the hate crime cases referred to us, far above the statewide average of 54 percent. I commend TAAL for becoming an antidote for the poison that is racism and holding this important Town Hall to promote equality and protect human rights.’

CA State Commissioner Sam Kbushyan, an Armenian-American, believes in tackling the problem head-on. He’s been a long-time community organizer and member of Mayor Karen Bass’ Transition Team.

‘It’s been shocking to see anti-Armenian flyers advocating Genocide against Armenians in Glendale and across LA County. We must all condemn this bigotry in the strongest terms. While our families and loved ones in Armenia and Artsakh are under assault by Azerbaijan, LA County’s Armenian community is being terrorized by hate, defamation, and propaganda,’ said State Commissioner Sam Kbushyan.

He added, ‘Vic Gerami and his team at the Truth And Accountability League have taken a proactive step in organizing a Town Hall in Glendale to create a safe place for the community to address this ongoing matter. I look forward to being on the panel and serving the greater LA community.’

Elected officials who would like to attend and have special requests and members of the media interested in interviews should contact Vic Gerami at 310.880.8563 (or) [email protected]. For additional information, visit TAAL’s website, TruthAndAccountabilityLeague.org.

Please click here for photos and see the attached invitation. 

About TAAL

TAAL is a 501©3 non-profit advocacy organization founded in 2020 due to a significant increase in anti-Armenian racism, defamation, hate crimes, and Armenophobia. We monitor and confront bias, disinformation, propaganda, and slander of the Armenian people and culture at the media level, including social media, academics, intelligentsia, and public policy.

Our Mission

To protect human rights, promote equality, combat racism where it appears and exists, stop the defamation and threats of violence against people of Armenian ethnicity, educate the community about racism, bias, and discrimination, achieve worldwide recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and end the crime of Genocide for all people across the world.

About the LA County Commission on Human Relations

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations is dedicated to promoting positive human relations in our richly diverse, multicultural county. The Commission works to develop programs that proactively address racism, homophobia, religious prejudice, linguistic bias, anti-immigrant sentiment, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to intercultural tension, hate crimes, and related violence. Partnering with law enforcement, schools, cities, community-based organizations, youth, academics, policy makers, businesses, and other leaders, the Commission brings key players together to resolve immediate intercultural conflicts and to work toward the longer term aim of eradicating bias and prejudice.

LA County’s Human Relations Commission has a legacy that dates back more than 75 years to shortly after the so-called “Zoot Suit Riots” displayed serious, long-standing human relations concerns. This incident, during which large numbers of mostly White young men in the military clashed with local young men of color for three days in the streets of LA, served as a wake-up call to county residents. In January, 1944, the County Board of Supervisors established a Committee for Interracial Progress. Two years later it was renamed the Committee for Human Relations. Following national recognition for its effective work to improve intergroup relations, the Committee became an official agency of County government in 1958 and was renamed the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations. The Commission is among the oldest and largest of its kind in the U.S.

Each County Supervisor appoints three Commissioners who serve multi-year terms. The 15-member Commission meets each month. A staff of professional and support personnel in the County’s Department of Workforce Development, Aging, and Community Services executes the Commission’s programmatic work. The Commission’s signature projects include the annual Hate Crime Report and the annual John Anson Ford Human Relations Awards which recognize exemplary practices and exceptional leadership in human relations work.

About Vic Gerami

Vic Gerami is an award-winning journalist and the editor + publisher of The Blunt Post. Gerami is also the host and co-producer of the national headline news + politics program, THE BLUNT POST with VIC on KPFK 90.7 FM (Pacifica Network). 

Most recently, Gerami wrote, directed, and produce the journalistic documentary feature film, ‘Motherland,’ about Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s unprovoked genocidal attack on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2020 and the massacre of 5,000+ people, and the two nations’ ongoing campaign of hate, violence, and disinformation against the indigenous Armenians. Here is a sneak peek at the film’s 5-minute sizzle.

Today reaching national and international audiences, Gerami first built a foundation of knowledge and skills by learning the media industry during his years at Frontiers Magazine, followed by positions at LA Weekly and Voice Media Group. 

Gerami’s radio program, TBPV, covers national, regional, and local headline news, politics, and current events, and Gerami offers analysis and commentary. He also interviews a high-profile member of Congress or other high-profile public figures on each show. His recent guests include Congressman Adam Schiff, Senator Bob Menendez, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Governor Howard Dean, Congresswoman Katie Porter, Congressman Brad Sherman, Congressman Mike Levin, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Judy Chu, LA District Attorney George Gascon, among many others. You can listen to all the interviews here. 

Gerami is also a contributor to some of the most prominent publications in the nation, including Windy City Times, Bay Area Reporter, Armenian Mirror-Spectator, The Advocate, The Immigrant Magazine, GoWeHo, Destination Luxury, OUT Traveler, The Fight, and among others.

The Wall Street Journal featured Gerami as a “leading gay activist” in its landmark 2008 coverage of opposition to Proposition 8, the ballot measure that for years denied same-sex couples in California the freedom to marry. In addition to his years of volunteer work as a leading advocate for marriage equality, Gerami served as a Planning Committee member for the historic Resist March in 2017. 

In 2015, Gerami was referenced in the landmark Supreme Court civil rights case, Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court held in a 5–4 decision that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process and the Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

https://gagrule.net/truth-and-accountability-league-taal-brings-elected-officials-experts-and-community-leaders-together-to-discuss-anti-armenian-racist-flyers-in-beverly-hills-and-glendale/

Armenia, Azerbaijan confirm commitment to 1991 Almaty Declaration and each other’s respective territorial integrity

Liana Toganian

Save

Share

 22:17,

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Council Charles Michel released a statement on May 14 after the trilateral meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

 

Below is the full statement:

“It was a pleasure to host President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan today for a fifth meeting in Brussels. Our exchanges were frank, open and result-oriented. They focused on progress on the path towards Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization. The leaders shared a common willingness for a South Caucasus at peace. I commend their respective efforts. Together, we reviewed all issues on our agenda.

Following the recent positive talks held in the United States on the peace treaty, the momentum should be maintained to take decisive steps towards the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On border issues, we reviewed progress and the next steps regarding the delimitation of the border. In this context, the leaders agreed on the resumption of the bilateral meetings on border issues. The leaders confirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and the respective territorial integrity of Armenia (29,800 km2) and Azerbaijan (86,600 km2). The ultimate delimitation of the border will be agreed through negotiations.

On connectivity, the sides made clear progress in their discussions aimed at unblocking transport and economic links in the region. Positions on this topic have now come very close to each other in particular on the reopening of the railway connections to and via Nakhchivan. Their respective teams have been tasked to finalize an in principle agreement on the modalities for the opening of the railway connections and the necessary construction works together with a concrete timetable. They also agreed to draw upon the support of the World Customs Organization in supporting this work.   

On humanitarian issues, there has been an understanding that further detainees would be released in the coming weeks. I also stressed the need to safeguard the mutual understanding that soldiers who have simply got lost and crossed to the other side would continue to be released through a speedy procedure. We also discussed the importance of stepping up work on addressing the fate of missing persons and on demining.

We continued our exchanges on the issue of the rights and security of Armenians living in the former Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. I encouraged Azerbaijan to engage in developing a positive agenda with the aim of guaranteeing the rights and security of this population, in close cooperation with the international community. I also raised the need for a transparent and constructive dialogue between Baku and this population.

I believe that it is important to refrain from hostile rhetoric, engage in good faith and show leadership to reach mutually-acceptable solutions.

The EU has no hidden agenda. Our sole aim is to help Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a comprehensive and fair peace. We are ready to contribute to their joint efforts. We have agreed to hold the Brussels meetings as often as necessary. Leaders will meet again in Brussels in July. And as was already announced publicly, we will also meet again in the very near future together with President Macron of France and Chancellor Scholz of Germany on the margins of the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Chișinău. I also intend to invite the leaders for another such meeting in the margins of the third EPC summit in Granada in October.”

Asbarez: Aliyev Says Illegal Lachin Checkpoint ‘Fully Restored’ Azerbaijan’s Territorial Integrity

Liana Toganian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 May 10, 2023

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in a nationally televised address from occupied Shushi on May 10


President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan said on Wednesday that by illegally opening a checkpoint at the blockaded Lachin Corridor his government has “fully restored” Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

Speaking from occupied Sushi and delivering a message marking the centennial of the birth of his father, the great dictator Haydar Aliyev, Ilham Aliyev boasted that his government’s violation of international norms and practices, including the very document that carries his signature—the November 9, 2020 agreement—has yielded the fulfillment of his father’s will.

“Just like we fulfilled the will of the Great Leader, liberated our native lands, and restored our territorial integrity. We established a border checkpoint on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border on April 23, raised the Azerbaijani flag there, and fully restored our territorial integrity. Our civilian mission will continue as well, and we will honorably fulfill the mission of restoring this beautiful land,” Aliyev said in video message.

“Today, Karabakh is reviving, Zangezur is reviving, and we are building and creating in our native lands. We will successfully carry out the mission of restoring Karabakh and Zangezur,” said Aliyev, adding that already several villages and towns are under development in the disputed areas that he refers to as “Zangezur.”

Calling Azerbaijan’s army “one the strongest in the world,” Aliyev announced in his nationally televised address that the defense budget of his country will increase.

“In the matter of army building, we have always worked in a systemic way and we continue this work. After the second Karabakh war, we did not stop, on the contrary, we are moving forward. Additions will be introduced in this year’s state budget; a considerable part of additional spending will again be earmarked for defense purposes. Why? Because we must always be ready. The threats are increasing, the danger is increasing, and we must be able to overcome any threat,” Aliyev said.

“The Azerbaijani army is among the strongest armies in the world both in terms of weapons and combat readiness. Our army fought, showed its strength not in a [military] parade, but on the battlefield. This is our army. Army building is being ensured at a proper level today as well, it will be ensured from now on as well,” Aliyev emphasized.

More than $3.1 billion, or 16 percent of Azerbaijan’s state budget, is allocated for defense and national security spending.

Rights Advocates Say Baku Has Stationed 6,000 Troops Along Border; Detail Azerbaijani Brutality Against POWs

Liana Toganian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, Top Stories

Rights advocates Arman Tatoyan and Siranush Sahakyan hold a press briefing on May 12


Human rights advocates Arman Tatoyan and Siranush Sahakyan presented details of their most recent report that includes information about Azerbaijan having stationed 6,000 special forces along its border with Armenia and Artsakh. The report also reveals information about the brutal treatment of Armenian prisoners of war being held captive in Baku.

“Commando unit [of Azerbaijan] is stationed in Hadrut and Karvachar. At the moment there are five units, but the location of three of them is kept secret,” Sahakyan, an attorney who represents Armenia at the European Court of Human Rights, said at news conference with Tatoyan on Friday.

She said that their research has found that the special Azerbaijani forces, numbering around 6,000, have been tasked with destroying the Artsakh Defense Army and are conducting clandestine operations in and around the Azerbaijani border with Armenia and Artsakh.

Tatoyan, who was Armenia’s former Human Rights Defender and runs a foundation that bares his name, said that despite public claims by Azerbaijani leaders about engaging in border delimitation and demarcation processes, official Baku has already begun fortifying the positions it has gained within Armenia through the various breaches of Armenia’s sovereign territory, including the attack on the Aragatsotn, Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces in September of last year.

“We know that the Azerbaijanis have invaded the sovereign territories of Armenia, and it is obvious that they have no intention of leaving,” said Tatoyan. “No matter how much they [the Azerbaijanis] talk about [border] delimitation, international principles, their actions speak of something completely different. They are entrenched in the territories inside the border of Armenia.”

He described the differences he observed when he visited Syunik three months ago and later 10 days ago. Tatoyan said that Azerbaijani forces have “entrenched themselves” on the sovereign territory of Armenia.

“They have set up positions in the administrative area of Nerkin Hand village of Syunik, a few months ago they had built a small building; after a few months—big buildings, infrastructures, and roads. We had recorded the same thing after September 13-14 in the region of Jermuk: after a few months, they were even constructing wide concrete roads, bunkers and other facilities,” Tatoyan said.

He emphasized that the Azerbaijani are making the life of the civilian population in those regions in Armenia unbearable so that they will leave, pointing out similar pressures being applied on the citizens of Artsakh.

Tatoyan said that the Azerbaijani are cutting off the water supply to prevent farmers and shepherds from using their lands for pastures and farming.

He also said that Azerbaijani forces are placing landmines in villages in the Syunik Province, posing a threat to the residents and livestock.

Sahakyan, who has extensive experience advocating for the rights of Armenian captives and POWs, said that Armenian detainees have been severely beaten by Azerbaijani military police. She said that coupled with the physical abuse, Armenian POWs were also deliberately being deprived of food and sleep and were being exposed to the elements when they were held outdoors in cold weather.

Sahakyan said that the Azerbaijani policy was continued under the supervision of special services, and more intense inhumane treatment was shown at detention centers, where the “superiority” of Azerbaijanis over the ethnic Armenians was emphasized through racial insults and degradation.

She explained that a similar tactic intended to cause additional harm to Armenians was being employed by Azerbaijani when they target the families of killed soldiers and detainees by sending them images of their loved one being tortured or mutilated.

Sahakyan warned that often times the captured Armenians were handed over to military or civilian medical professionals who stage scenes of the captives receiving treatment as a means of warding off international observers. In reality, she said the Azerbaijani medical personnel also use violence once the cameras are shut off.

She also said that their investigation has revealed that there are 80 POWs and not 33 as has been reported widely by officials in Baku and Yerevan.
Tatoyan and Sahakyan concluded that inaction by the international community has allowed Azerbaijan to continue to act with impunity and commit gross violations of human and individual rights against Armenians.

Tatoyan explained that Azerbaijan actions serve two purposes for the authorities in Baku. He said that official Baku continues to sow hatred toward Armenians to project to lay Azerbaijanis that there is an external enemy, thus quelling internal unrest.

He said the second goal of the Azerbaijani authorities is to create conditions that force Armenians to leave their ancestral lands—the beginning of ethnic cleansing not just in Artsakh, but also Armenia.

PM Pashinyan visits Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Moscow

Liana Toganian

Save

Share

 12:31, 9 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, together with Russian President Vladimir Putin and heads of state of several other countries visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow after the Victory Day Parade.

The leaders laid flowers at the memorial.

Pashinyan is in Moscow at the initiation of Putin to attend the Victory Day celebrations.

Mer Hayer: The key of hope for Armenians in Istanbul

Liana Toganian
May 2 2023
BY JOSEPH HALL ON MAY 2, 2023

This interview is with Sevan Tosun, the Vice President of Mer Hayer, a charitable organization that helps Armenian families in need. We discuss the inspiration behind the organization and how they differentiate themselves from other non-profit organizations.

Mr. Tosun explains how the organization adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, earthquake and what role they see themselves playing in the future of the Armenian community.

Additionally, Sevan Tosun shares ways in which people can support Mer Hayer and some success stories, discussion about the challenges faced in scaling operations and what can be expected from Mer Hayer in the future.

What inspired you to create Mer Hayer and how did you get started?

In 2020, I went to Turkey to visit my family and reunited with my friend Arev cebeci while there. Arev Cebeci the president along with his wife Natali Cebeci were already involved with Mer Hayer but on a much smaller scale than it is today. Both of us, since childhood, have always wanted to help Armenians, especially those who have been less fortunate. Putting our minds and hearts together, we rebranded and made Mer Hayer into a much bigger charitable organization today.

Can you describe the unique features of Mer Hayer platform and how it differentiates from other non-profit organizations?

What differentiates us from other non-profit organizations is that we go on a very personal level with the families we are helping. We do not just extend our arms and our pockets. That’s the easy part!!  Rather, we take the time and  we go to personally meet with them, engage with them, become a part of their everyday lives. We share with them their good days and their bad days. The elderly and the children. We never make them feel different or lesser than us. We are adults with adults and children with children. This way, they will not feel embarrassed about their current situation and can put their problems behind them and focus only on the present.

How has Mer Hayer adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and what impact has it had on the organization?

The COVID-19 Pandemic, as terrible as it was on many fronts, worked in our favour. While everyone was busy dealing with masks and distance, it gave Mer Hayer the chance to get to know our Armenian Families on a much closer level. While the world stayed apart and got more distant from their families and loved ones, we got closer with the families we are helping, even though it was sometimes on zoom or video calls. When there was a lockdown in the city Istanbul and the people couldn’t leave their homes, we took food and their daily essentials to them at their doorsteps. Together, we achieved the unachievable even during the most difficult times.

What role do you see Mer Hayer playing in the future of our Armenian Community?

We want to be the face of assistance for all of the Armenians in need, and be able to reach out and touch everybody. When someone is in need, or finds themselves in dire situation, we want them to think of Mer Hayer as their solution.

Mer Hayer is flexible and always ready. For example, when the earthquake happened in February 2023, nobody expected it. Mer Hayer went above and beyond and reached out to the people outside of Istanbul and provided them with the basic needs they required to go on with their daily lives.

How do people can support Mer Hayer?

The most important step is to believe in the idea and the mission of Mer Hayer. Spreading the word to your family and friendship circles, following our social media accounts and sharing our posts and stories. Raising and spreading awareness to help us reach every one who is in need of our help.

Finally, if you are able to help financially, contact us and extend your arms to help us help our Armenian Families.

Can you share any success stories from Mer Hayer?

I cannot pinpoint one specific success story of Mer Hayer because each story touches us in a unique way. At the end of the day, they all have something in common and that is why they’re reaching out to us. I can say what touches me the most are the families with young children who live in broken down homes, and do not have the means to go out there and work due to their health or their age. Orphaned children also has a very soft spot in our hearts. Helping these children, and seeing their smiles after our mission is complete, is worth every single time and penny spent for us.

What challenges has Mer Hayer faced in scaling its operations and how have you addressed them?

The biggest challenge Mer Hayer has faced is that not many people believe in change. It’s easy to continue a pattern of what is, but if you don’t put your minds together and create change, you will be unable to make the world a better place especially for our Armenian people in need. Another challenge is the lack of support of other similar Armenians foundations. As Armenians, If we all support one another, and if we all unite, we can become bigger and stronger as a people and as a foundation. Given all of this, I would like to point that we are fortunate to have the support of our Mayor, who believes in us and for that we are very grateful.

What can we expect from Mer Hayer in the coming years in terms of new features or expansions?

Our number one principle in life is to give more than we take. We strive to help others without having any sort of agenda. We simply want to make the Armenian community a better place, even through small acts of kindness, which is why we founded Mer Hayer. By believing in ourselves, by uniting and becoming one force, we can make this happen. Until not one Armenian elderly person is left without medication, until not one Father comes home without bread for his children, until not young adult goes to bed hungry, until not one child goes to bed without his/her favorite toy and until not one infant goes to bed without milk.

Conclusion:

I would like to thank everyone who has helped us reach the milestones we have reached today. From the Mayor, to the board of directors, to each and every volunteer…we THANK YOU! If you are inspired by our story, and for all the young adults who have similar dreams, please reach out to us, as you are all welcome.

For more, please visit: https://merhayer.org or follow up on IG @mer.hayer or Facebook @ MerHayer2020

Published in Interviews

Joseph Hall

Joseph is our senior analysts with exceptional experiences in Tech, Business, and Current Events coverage. He is a graduate of journalism from the Boston University, and since then, joined multiple news/media both on paper or online. Joseph is a regular contributor to The Daily Scanner.

https://www.dailyscanner.com/mer-hayer-the-key-of-hope-for-armenians-in-istanbul/

Asbarez: Karageuzian to Sign Copies of ‘Forbidden Homeland’ at Barnes & Noble

Liana Toganian
by Contributor

 

 May 2, 2023

 

in Arts & Culture, Books, Latest, News, Top Stories
Katia Tavitian Karageuzian’s “Forbidden Homeland, Story of a Diasporan” book signing event flyer


Following two successful book events, Katia Tavitian Karageuzian’s “Forbidden Homeland, Story of a Diasporan” is gearing up for an in-person book signing event, followed by a Q&A with the author, at the largest American bookstore chain, Barnes & Noble.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region Education committee organized a Kinetzon in late January 2023 to officially launch the book. In April 2023, a book presentation event was organized by the Genocide Commemoration Committee of San Fernando West.

In early spring, the book won a Literary Titan Gold book award, and it came in 3rd place at the Spring 2023 BookFest awards in the World Politics/Human Rights Movements category. The memoir is gaining praise for its written style, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original storyline.

“The Literary Titan Gold Award is bestowed on books that we found to be perfect in their delivery of original content, utilizing fresh themes to convey innovative ideas, and deftly uses of elegant prose to transform words into expertly written literature,” noted Literary Titan, an organization of professional editors, writers, and professors.

“Forbidden Homeland” weaves the author’s personal journey of discovering her family’s story with the principal turning points of the Armenian cause, along the way uncovering the many surprising ways America has been, and continues to be, involved in the Armenian destiny. The unexpected events that launched the book’s journey took place in Southern California after Karageuzian and her family immigrated from Lebanon in 1984.

While exposing the many entangled layers of the Armenian diasporan story, the book also highlights the many shared experiences and challenges of immigrants in the United States. The Literary Titan describes it as “thought-provoking… a true five-star read.”

The book signing event will take place on Saturday, May 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Barnes and Noble in Burbank, located at 731 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502). There will be a Q&A session and book signing.

64 percent of poll respondents in Armenia do not trust any political figure

Liana Toganian
May 3 2023

This is evidenced by the results of the polls conducted in January-March 2023 at the initiative of the International Republican Institute (IRI).  Some 1,513 citizens over 18 participated in the polls conducted by BREVIS.

 

Some 13% of the respondents said they trust Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, 2% said they trust the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan.

 

If the parliamentary elections were held on the coming Sunday, 21% of respondents would vote for the Civil Contract party, and 4% for the Armenia bloc. Some 30% said they would not go voting, and 12% said they would make the ballot invalid. Some 20% of respondents found it difficult or refused to answer.

AYF Camp Haiastan announces annual raffle fundraiser

Liana Toganian
May 3, 2023 Camp Haiastan Announcements 0

Young day campers at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, MA

FRANKLIN, Mass. — AYF Camp Haiastan is excited to announce its annual raffle fundraiser. This year, there will be three chances to win $5,000. All proceeds from the raffle will go toward fulfilling the mission of Camp Haiastan by funding its activities and programs.

The raffle drawing dates are scheduled on the following Sundays this summer: July 9, July 23 and August 6 (dates are subject to change). Each raffle ticket costs $100.

Camp Haiastan has been a pillar of the Armenian community for over 70 years, providing a fun and educational summer camp experience for Armenian youth. We believe that it’s important to foster a strong sense of Armenian identity and culture in our young people, and we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where campers can grow, learn and have fun.

Camp relies on donations and fundraising events like this raffle to support its programs and activities.

Raffle tickets can be purchased online, by reaching out to a local seller or sending the donation to the Camp Haiastan Office (PO Box C, Franklin, MA 02038).

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, AYF Camp Haiastan, was founded in 1951 and is the oldest Armenian camp in the United States. The Camp prides itself on providing a healthy and safe experience to Armenian-American youth to help them foster their Armenian identity and establish lifelong friendships.