Category: 2019

Armenian media organisations accuse gov’t of trying to restrict freedom of speech

Emil Lazarian
JAM News
Aug 22 2019
JAMnews, Yerevan
Artur Xachatryan
August 22, 2019

The Armenian Ministry of Justice wants to introduce a prison sentence for “the spread of hate speech”

Armenian journalistic organizations are concerned about the intention of the Armenian Ministry of Justice to amend the country’s criminal code to make the ‘dissemination of hate speech’ punishable with a prison sentence.

Six journalistic organizations have issued a statement stating that the legislative changes could lead to restrictions on freedom of speech in the country.

Media representatives are concerned that the bill does not provide a clear definition of the concept of ‘hate speech.’

It is also unclear how the concept of ‘incitement to violence’ will be legally interpreted.

“We believe that the penal provision in the criminal code should be clearer, more coherent and with clear language to avoid a subjective interpretation”, the group says.

The bill also does not imply the identification of motives or circumstances that led, for example, to a publication containing ‘calls for violence’.  This means that mitigating circumstances are not taken into account.

How did the bill come about?

The bill was developed after the Velvet Revolution in Armenia and in many ways was a response to public demand, said Boris Navasardyan, head of the Yerevan Press Club.

At the same time, he believes that the bill was hurriedly drafted, since there are no clear formulations, which creates threats to freedom of speech:

“Its main drawback, as in many similar cases, is the vagueness of the wording regarding what, from a legal point of view, can be considered a ‘hateful statement’.  And in this sense, if the initiative is adopted in the current edition, it poses a certain threat to freedom of speech.”

Boris Navasardyan emphasizes that representatives of the media sphere did not participate in the development of the bill:

“The ministry did not consult with professional organizations known to me, but my partners and I put forward our comments and we hope that they will be honored.”

Armenian peacekeepers participate in first stage of multinational military exercise in Germany

Hagop Kamalian
News.am, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Armenian peacekeepers participate in first stage of multinational military exercise in Germany Armenian peacekeepers participate in first stage of multinational military exercise in Germany

20:17, 22.08.2019
                  

Armenia President on Amulsar gold mine exploitation

Markos Nalchajian
News.am, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Armenia President on Amulsar gold mine exploitation Armenia President on Amulsar gold mine exploitation

19:15, 22.08.2019
                  

President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian consistently supports the adoption of political decisions that are in the interests of the strengthening of Armenian statehood and the interests of the nation. This is what the Staff of the President of Armenia reported in response to a question from 168.am newspaper.

According to Armen Sarkissian, even though the President is not entitled to interfere in the activities of the other branches of government by law, he is always willing to provide assistance with his advice and experience in case there are nationwide or pan-national issues.

“At the same time, we would like to remind that, during a recent visit to Lori Province, the President attached importance to nature and particularly stated the following: “We need to make special efforts to make sure we don’t cause harm to nature. We need to have a specific action plan for nature protection, the economy, development and tourism.”

Government to subsidize mortgage loans for 500 Armenian military personnel annually

Emil Lazarian
ArmBanks, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Government to subsidize mortgage loans for 500 Armenian military personnel annually

22.08.2019 18:55

YEREVAN, August 22. /ARКА/.The government of Armenia approved today a draft decision to introduce a scheme for subsidizing mortgage loans of 500 servicemen annually.

“According to the decision, each year, 500 military personnel can become beneficiaries of the program, which provides for mortgage loans of up to 28.5 million drams. Ten percent of this amount is subsidized by the government as down payment,” Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan said at the Cabinet meeting .

He said in case of buying an apartment from the primary real estate market or building a new house, the loan rate will be 7% per annum, of which 3% is subsidized by the government, and the remaining 4% is repaid from the borrower’s income tax.

In case of buying an apartment or house in the secondary real estate market, the maximum interest rate established by the National Mortgage Company cannot exceed the refinancing rate by more than 2%. The state also subsidizes a 3% mortgage rate, and the rest is paid by the borrower.
According to the minister, it is necessary either to purchase insurance in the amount of 20% of the contract, or pledge other real estate.

“The selection of beneficiaries will be carried out by drawing lots. Servicemen registered as in need of better housing conditions will have priority and will become beneficiaries of the program without participating in the draw,” Tonoyan said.

Chief of Police Valery Osipyan commented that other power structures also need similar programs. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan noted that the main problem in implementing similar programs for the rest of the power structures is the lack of budget revenue sources for financing prepayments.

The Chairman of the Committee for Urban Development Vahagn Vermishyan noted that there is a problem with the primary housing market in the regions, therefore, projects have already been prepared for the construction of 30 multi-storey buildings in 27 regional cities, apartments in which will be sold at affordable prices. ($ 1 – 475.94 drams).

Lydian provides update on Armenian government review of report

Frangulian Shushan
PanArmenian, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
August 22, 2019 – 18:07 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Lydian International Limited confirmed Thursday, August 22 that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia stated in a post to social media that he asked the Ministry of Environment on August 21, 2019 to review a report from the Special Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia (SIC) relating to the Amulsar Project.

The SIC Report reviews Lydian’s response to the recommendations by Earth Link & Advanced Resources Development contained in its report to the SIC on the Amulsar Project. Lydian understands that the ME’s review is directed toward whether there may need to be any further Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted in respect of the Amulsar Project. Lydian has received no official confirmation of either the Prime Minister’s request of the ME or the scope or duration of any review to be conducted by the ME.

Edward Sellers, Interim President & CEO of Lydian International, commented: “The Prime Minister made clear public statements after receiving the Audit Report and Lydian’s Response affirming that: a) there is no basis on which to prevent the Company from completing and operating the Amulsar Project; and b) the Company will be permitted to do so. Indeed, the Prime Minister lauded the Amulsar Project publicly for its standards of environmental stewardship and indicated the Government of Armenia would be requiring other mines in Armenia to move toward that standard.”

“To hear that the Prime Minister has asked for consideration of whether any additional EIA process is required in respect of the Amulsar Project is more than disappointing, particularly after the Prime Minister’s recent public statements. Lydian has been subject to three environmental audits over the past year during which there was no suggestion that any additional EIA process would be required.”

Sellers continued: “The SIC Report substantiated that the recommendations contained in the Audit Report had already been addressed or are contemplated in the management plan Lydian submitted as part of the EIA process that resulted in Lydian being awarded its mining rights. Neither the SIC Report or the Audit Report suggest that there are design changes to the Amulsar Project which might require a new assessment.”

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/272311/Lydian_provides_update_on_Armenian_government_review_of_report

Go to the advertiser’s website
Advertisement 25
Skip
Find out more

“Lydian has not changed the design of its intended construction or operation of the Amulsar Project from that which was contemplated in the original EIA process. Indeed, construction on the Amulsar Project in accordance with its permits was over 75% complete when the illegal blockades commenced. The suggestion that anything more would be required of Lydian in that regard is unfounded.”

Lydian is a gold developer focused on construction at its 100%-owned Amulsar Project, located in south-central Armenia. However, illegal blockades have prevented access to Amulsar since late June 2018. Amulsar is expected to be a large-scale, low-cost operation with production targeted to average approximately 225,000 ounces annually over an initial 10-year mine life. Estimated mineral resources contain 3.5 million measured and indicated gold ounces and 1.3 million inferred gold ounces as outlined in the Q1 2017 Technical Report. Existing mineral resources beyond current reserves and open extensions provide opportunities to improve average annual production and extend the mine life. Lydian is committed to good international industry practices in all aspects of its operations including production, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.

Lydian expresses disappointment as Armenia mulls another Amulsar audit

Emil Lazarian
Mining Weekly
Aug 22 2019
22nd August 2019 BY: Mariaan Webb
anadian gold mine developer Lydian International interim president and CEO Edward Sellars on Thursday expressed his disappointment at the news that Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, had asked the Ministry of Environment (ME) to review whether a further environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required for the stalled Amulsar mine project.

Sellars said that although Lydian had not received official confirmation of either Pashinyan’s request or the scope of any review to be conducted, it was “more than disappointing” to learn of the Prime Minister’s social media post on Wednesday pointing to the ME request.

On Monday, Pashinyan said that Lydian would be permitted to proceed with the contested project and said that the current information was “very clear – the exploitation of the mine does not harm the environment”.

In fact, Sellars said that the Prime Minister went as far as publically lauding the Amulsar project for its standards of environmental stewardship and indicated the government of Armenia would be requiring other mines in the country to move toward that standard.

“Lydian has not changed the design of its intended construction or operation of the Amulsar project from that which was contemplated in the original EIA process. Indeed, construction on the Amulsar project in accordance with its permits was over 75% complete when the illegal blockades commenced. The suggestion that anything more would be required of Lydian in that regard is unfounded.”

Environmental groups and some locals have campaigned against the mining project over concerns that it would pollute the Jermuk springs. But the project has now been subject to three full-scale environmental audits in the last 12 months and passed the most recent audit last week.

Work on the Amulsar project was halted in June last year, when protestors set up illegal blockades preventing access to the mine. Police have failed to act on complaints from the company to remove the protestors and were forced by a court ruling last week to launch criminal investigations into the actions of the protestors.

According to daily newspaper Asbarez, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Council of Armenia has called for a referendum to determine the fate of the Amulsar mine. The ARF put forward “contradictory statements by the new government that are causing tensions surrounding the operation of the Amulsar mine, as well as the lack of adequate response on the part of the authorities to meet public expectations” as the reason for proposing a referendum. 

EDITED BY: Creamer Media Reporter 

Armenian Cultural Union of Argentina protests Erdogan’s policies

George Mamian
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Society 16:33 22/08/2019 Region

The Armenian Cultural Union (UCA) of Argentina condemned the order issued today by the Turkish government to replace three HDP co-mayors with state-appointed trustees

In a statement on its website entitled “Let’s redouble the fight against the fascist regime of Erdogan!”, the Armenian Cultural Union (UCA) of Argentina said that “the Recep Tayyip Erdogan government illegally dismissed three HDP co-mayors who had been elected in the last elections in Turkey, where a large number of Kurdish people are concentrated. “

The statement added: “The State, which reproduces the same logic from the Armenian genocide, in an absolutely illegal and persecutory measure seeks to hit the country’s most important left-wing force, third parliamentary bloc in the National Assembly.”

In the statement, the members of the UCA also warned: “about the seriousness that the popular will in Turkey is not respected, further deepening the repression of the government against the different minorities.”

The statement recalled that the deputy of Armenian origin Garo Paylan and the deputy of Kurdish origin Ebru Gunay during their visit to Buenos Aires and Montevideo, said that President Erdogan follows the path that 105 years ago led to the Armenian genocide. “The policies are the same. Deny the claims of the minority. Before it was the Armenians, now they are the Kurds,” the UCA said.

Armenian president is ready to give advice to the government

Kanayan Tamar
MediaMax, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
 
 
Armenian president is ready to give advice to the government
 
 
 
Yerevan /Mediamax/. The Department of Public Relations of the Staff of Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has released a statement saying that “although the Constitution does not authorize the President to interfere in the work of other state institutions, the President is always ready to provide his experience and advice in order to help with the issues of national importance”.
 
“President Armen Sarkissian consistently supports political decisions that are based on the national interests and the strengthening of Armenian statehood.
  
We would like to recall that during the recent visit to Lori marz, the President attached importance to protection of environment and stated: “We must do everything possible to avoid damaging the environment. We need concrete plans for what we do in nature protection, economy, development of the country, and tourism,”” the statement reads.

Russia-based Armenian geologist discusses subsurface use with Artsakh President

Mary Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Russia-based Armenian geologist discusses subsurface use with Artsakh President Russia-based Armenian geologist discusses subsurface use with Artsakh President

16:04, 22.08.2019
                  

The President of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) and I discussed several issues related to subsurface use in Artsakh. This is what well-known Russia-based geologist Sergey Vardanyan told Artsakhpress following his meeting with President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan.

According to him, the problem is that there are many mines in the Republic of Artsakh that have yet to be explored. He said it’s time to discover the mine sites and recycle, adding that, as a result, there will be new jobs, and the country’s economy will grow. “Artsakh’s geologist Grigory Gabrielyants has made a great contribution in this sector in Artsakh with the creation of a geological service in a short period of time, and he has made achievements in this sector, particularly in the copper mine of Kashen,” Vardanyan particularly said.

President Bako Sahakyan granted the Anania Shirakatsi Medal to Sergey Vardanyan for his services for the development of the subsurface use in the Republic of Artsakh, and according to Vardanyan, this came as a surprise. Talking about his plans, Vardanyan also said he will continue to engage relevant specialists in the development of subsurface use in Artsakh.

Source of anthrax infection in Armenia’s Gegharkunik found out

Maral Takmazian
Vestnik Kavkaza
Aug 22 2019
22 Aug in 15:10

Specialists at the Armenian Food Safety Agency have found out the source of anthrax infection in Geghovit village of Armenia’s Gegharkunik province, according to the press office of the agency.

It was reported two days earlier that two residents of Geghhovit village in Gegharkunik province with wounds on their hands and wrists, believed to have been caused by anthrax, sought for medical help from Martuni Medical Center, the Armenian Ministry of Health reported. It said a few days earlier the residents had helped a villager to butch and cut the latter’s cow.

The ministry said it dispatched specialists from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention to Geghhovit community to find out  whether there was a link between the butchering and the wounds.

It said a joint  inspection carried out with  local health authorities revealed  6 more people with similar wounds and complaints. Five of them were taken to Nork Infectious Disease Hospital in Yerevan for clinical examination.

The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention sampled 5 patients on the spot detecting anthrax pathogens by using the polymerase chain reaction method. The cases were immediately reported to the Food Safety Inspectorate.

It has become known that the cow owner had backed out of vaccination. The agency specialists have found and burned infected meat at 34 families, and the situation is under control now, ARKA reported.

The health ministry said Appropriate treatment is being given to all patients, and community surveillance is being provided. Preventive measures are already taken. No new cases have been reported.