Asbarez: Montebello ARS Nairy Chapter Honored County Supervisors

ARS “Nairy” chapter members

MONTEBELLO—The Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles declared April “Armenian History Month.” During the April 26 meeting, they presented scrolls to noteworthy Armenians in Los Angeles County:

1. The Honorable Suzanne Gazani Bruguera and the Honorable Frank Zerounian, members of the Armenian Bar Association, arranged by Supervisor Hahn
2. Berdj Karapetian, in recognition of “Armenian History Month,” arranged by Supervisor Barger
3. The Armenian Relief Society Nairy Chapter of Montebello, in recognition of their contributions to the Armenian Community, arranged by Supervisor Solis

The Nairy Chapter members in attendance included Seta Bagoian, Seta Gharibian, Heghine Harboyan, Sona Fundukian, Alice Keshishian, Olga Kirakossian and Takoush Simonia. They proudly represented their chapter during this time of recognition.

Nairy members were invited to the dais where Supervisor Solis presented a beautiful tricolor scroll and detailed highlights of the chapter’s 51 years of contributions to the community. She noted the Fashion Shows of the late 60’s, the display of historical items in the Montebello Public Library, the Cultural Evenings of art and music, 38 years of Armenian language classes through their Saturday School, and 21 years of serving pre-school children.

She then presented the scroll to Chapter President, Sona Fundukian. The scroll read as follows:

“In recognition of dedicated service to the affairs of the community and the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all the residents of Los Angeles County.”

Sona Fundukian thanked the Board of Supervisors, especially Hilda L. Solis, for this honor and for her detailed history of ARS Nairy. She added that ARS believe strongly in the work they do and that the Nairy members present were all descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

ARS Nairy’s Fashion with a Flair of Success

Dancers performing “Flamenco with a Flair”

The exciting sounds of ole and castanets were enjoyed by the guests who attended “Flamenco with a Flair.” The evening was presented by the Armenian Relief Society Nairy Chapter of Montebello. Attendees were able to appreciate the passionate Angelita Concierto Flamenco show. Co-chairs Angela Savoian, Vivian Frederikson, and Valerie Solomente, along with chapter members gave attendees a total experience of Spain.

Angela Savoian welcomed and thanked everyone, giving special thanks to the Massis Guild and Red Hat members who also supported the event. Chapter President, Sonia Fundukian gave a short speech regarding the many projects that the chapter supports with the generosity of community members. She also introduced Assemblywoman Christina Garcia who thanked ARS Nairy for its service to the community.

The highlight of the afternoon was the flamenco show. The talented and exciting Angelita brought with her an authentic guitarist and singer, who complimented the six excellent dancers. She explained the nuances of the flamenco which added to the audience interest.

Members of ARS Nairy chapter

Ara Melkonian, a well-known Armenian dancer and choreographer, surprised many with his flamenco expertise and fire. Harut Baltayan was a sensation as well, with his expressive interpretation of flamenco. The crowd showed their appreciation throughout the entire show. The fact that the two of the six dancers were Armenian also pleased the crowd.

Greg Hosharian rounded out the entertainment with vocals and keyboard. Vendors filled the perimeter of the Armenian Center and the Spanish menu was served by Hrach and Ara Catering. Marie Peltekian handled the raffle prizes with confidence. Program booklets were prepared by Ani Dikranian.

The Flamenco with a Flair committee thanks supporters, donors and especially the ARF Dro, for without their participation and support this event would not have been successful.

The Armenian Relief Society is a world-wide non-profit organization that supports schools, and women’s health, culture and disaster relief. The ARS Nairy Chapter of Montebello was formed 51 years ago and supports many local projects including the Montebello Police Department Toy Drive, a Saturday School and a 5 Star State sponsored Preschool.

Paul Kalemkiarian of ‘Wine of the Month Club’ Will Taste Literally Anything

Paul Kalemkerian of Wine of the Month Club (photo by Dylan + Jeni)

His father founded America’s first wine club in a strip mall pharmacy. This is how he’s carrying on his legacy as a true equal-opportunity taster.

BY LESLIE PARISEAU
From Punch 

On a Tuesday afternoon, Paul Kalemkiarian, the president of the Wine of the Month Club, is in his tasting room in Monrovia, California, getting ready for his usual slew of appointments. “I haven’t missed a Tuesday in 30 years,” he says, standing beneath a photo of Pope Francis, inscribed to him and his wife, Sandra. Once a week, beginning at 9:30 a.m., Kalemkiarian tastes through 60 to 75 wines in two shifts, before lunch and after.

The Wine of the Month Club lays claim to being America’s original wine club, and Kalemkiarian chooses every single wine that goes into every single shipment. He will taste literally everything that comes his way, “flavored prosecco to high-end Napa,” he says. For better or worse, he may have the most educated palate in America.

Kalemkiarian’s tasting room, which sits behind a retail store and warehouse, resembles a doctor’s office without the examination table. The countertops are covered in dozens of opened wine bottles—mostly stuff that’s been sent to him, unsolicited. He slides a bottle toward me. The label is a mosaic illustration with a little cartoon man on it. It’s emblazoned Stefon. “Try that,” he says.

Named after Bill Hader’s flamboyant sketch character, it’s an $18 Beaujolais licensed by Lot18 to bear Saturday Night Live’s branding. It is objectively not good. When my face screws up at what tastes like cardboard slathered with grape jelly, he confirms: “It’s awful.” But Kalemkiarian is an equal-opportunity taster and prides himself on the democratic approach; even when he’s certain a wine will be bad, he takes tasting seriously, if only to identify flaws with precision. He dumps my glass, and a tall, well-dressed man walks in bearing a roller bag full of what turns out to be excellent Bordeaux.

These tastings date back to the 1970s when his father, an Armenian pharmacist whose family fled to Egypt during the genocide, unwittingly built the foundations for what would become a ubiquitous subscription model. After completing a masters degree at USC, Paul Kalemkiarian Sr. opened a small chain of pharmacies around Southern California called Prescription Shop. During his final acquisition, he set out to buy a competitor’s drugstore in Palos Verdes’ Malaga Cove Plaza, and ended up owning and operating the attached liquor store. By the early 1970s, he transformed Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits into one of the Los Angeles area’s best fine wine shops.

At the time, modern California wine culture was beginning to percolate, but vintners didn’t yet have the infrastructure to distribute their wares, let alone ship them. Now-iconic winemakers like Dave Stare from Dry Creek Vineyards and Jim Barrett from Chateau Montelena would drive a route from Napa to L.A., stopping at a handful of stores along the way, including The Duke of Bourbon, Wally’s in Beverly Hills and Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits. Back then, Kalemkiarian Sr.’s store stocked grand cru Chablis and chenin blanc from the Loire alongside early releases from Fetzer and Mondavi. A look into his monthly newsletter archives dating back to March 1972 reveals his knack for methodical classification and congenial enthusiasm; recipes and holiday greetings were often tucked into each missive, like an old friend sending an annual family update. It turns out the things that made him a good pharmacist also made him a good wine merchant.

Each month Kalemkiarian Sr. would pick the wines he liked most, and display them on a table for ease of selection. He began to invite other pharmacists, doctors and regular customers to tastings, always held on Tuesdays, so they might contribute to the wine-of-the-month picks. Then a teenager working in his father’s stores, Kalemkiarian Jr. was in charge of brown-bagging the wines for blind tastings. On the day he got his license, he delivered 15 orders to monthly subscribers.

In 1988, after working in software for several years, Kalemkiarian Jr. bought the rights to the club (which had spun off from the store after his father began advertising memberships on the fair circuit) from his father. Today, the original “classic series” club—two handpicked bottles for $24.96 plus shipping—still exists, but he’s added clubs focused on pinot noir, Bordeaux and rosé, all chosen from his Tuesday tastings. All day, he presides over an Excel sheet, assigning each wine a number from one to three. “One means no way I can touch it. Two means I can use it and maybe make a deal on it. Three, is if the price is better, it might taste better,” he pauses, “But it’s only happened once.” It’s the same scale his dad used.

Near the end of the day Kalemkiarian welcomes two women who tag-team their tasting, reciting frontline prices and peering over Kalemkiarian’s shoulder as he types into this Excel file. “Oh, that one got a three!” one of them says. “You’re not supposed to know what that means,” says Kalemkiarian. “Tell me what the deal needs to be,” she says, eager for the sale.

Before they pack up, Kalemkiarian tells a story about a drive his father took up the coast in the ’70s. He stopped by a small vineyard to talk to a guy named Bob Trinchero. “Bob said, ‘It sounds like you know what you’re talking about. I want you to taste something,’’’ he recalls. “He brought out a glass filled with pink wine.”

Kalemkiarian Sr. took Trinchero’s innovation seriously, featuring Sutter Home’s Oeil de Perdrix (aka white zinfandel) in 1975. The present incarnation of Sutter Home would never make the club’s cut, but if a bottle happened to show up at Kalemkiarian’s door, he would most definitely taste it.

ANCA’s ‘The Future of High Tech in Armenia’ Panel at Netflix Headquarters

Over 300 people attended “The Future of High Tech in Armenia” panel discussion at the Netflix Headquarters

BY ALINE BARSOUMIAN

LOS GATOS, Calif.,—The Armenian National Committee of America’s Silicon Valley Chapter organized a panel presentation titled “The Future of High Tech in Armenia.” The event took place on April 6, at the Kabuki Theater inside Netflix’s headquarters. With over 300 community members and supporters in attendance, the theater was full to a capacity crowd.

Vache Shirikian, a Senior Software Engineer at Netflix, opened the evening by welcoming everyone to this one of a kind special event. “I hope that you will all leave this event with a renewed hope and a deeper understanding of the current progress and the future of High Tech in Armenia,” said Vache. He also encouraged them to submit questions to the q/a portal which was live throughout the presentation. The panel discussion was meant to be an open dialogue in the Armenian Community of the Silicon Valley.

The panel was moderated by Aline DerAlexanian Barsoumian. Aline, who is currently the Assistant Director of Development at the American University of Armenia, is a longtime ANCA activist and community leader. After introducing herself, she shared with the audience how the committee came to organize tonight’s event.

“Armenia has been a high tech hub since before the fall of the Iron Curtain. The idea for this event came to our committee naturally. We live in the Silicon Valley and Armenia is in the midst of a high tech revolution. We aim to bridge the 2 worlds on this platform this evening,” said Aline.

Today, Armenia has attracted some of the biggest tech giants in the world, and is also home to some amazing innovation and startups. There are so many factors contributing to the growth of the IT sector in Armenia, including a highly skilled and educated workforce, and some government initiatives that are expediting this renewed growth. The purpose of this event was to bridge the 2 worlds: Silicon Valley and Yerevan and discuss what role education, law, and entrepreneurship play in securing a better future in Armenia in the High Tech sphere.

Panel moderator Aline Barsoumian

The panel consisted of four experts in their respective fields, which included Dr. Mary Papazian, Nina Achadjian, Edith Khachatourian, and Meruzhan Danielyan. Dr. Mary Papazian is the president of San Jose State University. Nina Achadjian is a partner at HIVE Ventures, and a Principal at Index Ventures. Edith Khachatourian is the founder and partner of International Legal Consulting. Meruzhan is the founder and CEO of Teamable.

The panelists had a lively discussion and their feedback primarily focused on 4 areas: Armenia’s education system, Armenia’s competitive advantages, key areas to focus business development, and Silicon Valley’s role in Armenia’s technology revolution.

Dr. Papazian, a seasoned leader with nearly 30 years of experience as a university professor, academic and administrative leader, who is also avidly involved in educational initiatives in Armenia, highlighted the need for more pedagogical higher learning institutions in Armenia.

She also highlighted Armenia’s strong background in foundational sciences and stressed the importance of focusing more on applied learning. Papazian explained that the pipeline of talent in Armenia needs to be made larger by improving the educational system and by fostering a closer partnership and collaboration between industry and universities.

Further, the panel observed that there is a higher proportion of women in tech in Armenia than in the Silicon Valley, but still more work to do. “It is very exciting to be a female in technology today. And Armenia is light years ahead in that aspect where more than 40% of its workforce in Tech related jobs are female” mentioned Nina.

Vache Shirikian, a Senior Software Engineer at Netflix

She continued to say that “the best thing we can do is to empower female founders in Armenia because that is what is going to cause a ripple effect for decades to come.” Dr. Papazian also shared that when she was recently in Gyumri, she noticed that nearly all of the startups were led by women entrepreneurs hence the need to continue empowering them on the paths to success.

Meruzhan, who is one of the co-founders of Teamabale, a successful startup that originated in Armenia, highlighted Armenia’s location and market as both a competitive advantage and a competitive disadvantage. Armenia’s small domestic market forces developers and entrepreneurs to focus their efforts on reaching a global audience.

Along these lines, Meruzhan and the panelists agreed that startups in Armenia should focus their efforts on business services.Furthermore, Meruzhan commented on the current situation of the startup market in Armenia where “before it was more difficult, but now we have a high tech community and HIVE, so there is progress compared to 5-6 years ago. It would be helpful if it were more systematic and people knew where to go.”

Nina, a partner at HIVE, a firm that provides funding and operational support to startups in Armenia, indicated how much progress has been made in the tech sector in Armenia just in the last several years. Where she previously would have reviewed business plans of tens of fundable companies, she is new reviewing those of thousands of fundable companies. This is indicative of a maturing tech industry.

Nina also commented that a small amount of capital can go a long way, and mentoring founders and tech workers in Armenia has a profound impact on furthering the development of the sector. She also stressed the importance of the role of the diaspora in advancing the High Tech sector in Armenia by empowering the attendees to make a difference, even from afar. “Make 3 helpful introductions for someone that’s Armenian each month, you all have incredible networks and can share those resources, people with expertise” said Nina.

Volunteers checking in guests

Edith, a licensed and seasoned attorney in Armenia and the United States, discussed the differences between civil law in Armenia and common law in the United States. She indicated that in order to make Armenia a more visible in the High Tech sphere, there has to be a stronger availability of a talented workforce. “There is no lack of information about Armenia out there. Unlike tourism, where the louder you advertise the more people will come. You have to have the goods to back it up. This is where a strong educational and training systems come into play to prepare the workforce.”

She also mentioned the need for a survey in the Silicon Valley of the needs of the Tech companies that Armenia can fulfill so that the Armenian educational system can improve its offerings and prepare a better workforce based on the industry demands. She also discussed the importance of providing across the board industry information, such as salary ranges for the workforce in order to make Armenia a more comfortable place to run a business since high Tech jobs are the highest paying jobs in Armenia.

The panel discussion concluded by a thoughtful question from the moderator to all the panelists. She asked the panelists to highlight how the diaspora can feel empowered to be a part of this High Tech revolution in Armenia. All of the panelists had encouraging and hopeful messages to the audience. Nina said, “It is possible to make an impact sitting 7,000 miles away.

Whether its mentoring a group, building a group that’s good at product design, taking an idea and running with it. One person can make a difference.” Edith’s message was to empower and encourage those who are coming to the Silicon Valley. “One of the needs that startups are facing when they arrive in the U.S. is the lack of support from the community at large. They need help negotiating contracts and a variety of other needs to have a softer landing.”

In her closing remarks, Ani Yeni-Komshian, chairwoman of the ANCA Silicon Valley Chapter, thanked the speakers and the audience for a thought provoking and engaging discussion. “This evening’s discussion reaffirms that High Tech is one sector of many that has great potential in Armenia. Its advancement, depends on multiple factors as discussed here tonight: education, training, job opportunity, and laws that will benefit the employer as well as the employee” said Ani. “Strong steady growth can bolster a healthy economy. With hopes that all this can happen, while Armenia maintains its unique rich heritage and culture of thousands of years.”

Organizing Committee with panelists

This solution focused discussion yielded many suggestions for growth and improvement. Since one of ANCA’s goals is to encourage the growth of the US-Armenia Economic relationship, these suggestions were very much in line with its mission. One of the main suggestions was the opening of a trade office in the Silicon Valley in order to help connect the two markets and foster healthier working relationships.

The idea of this trade office would help accelerate the process of launching companies and everyone can benefit from the collective expertise and knowledge of those involved. If the tech field is going to grow and secure an economic vitality in Armenia, where else does that happen other than the Silicon Valley. The impact we can have collective could be enormous.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.




Istanbul Patriarch Election Application Submitted

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya (center) met with Archbishop Aram Ateshian (left) and Bishop Sahak Mashalyan (right)

The Istanbul Patriarchate Vicar General Archbishop Aram Ateshian and Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, the chairman of the Patriarchate’s religious council met with Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya to submit an official application to begin the process of electing a new patriarch, following the death of Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, who despite being incapacitated, was recognized as the patriarch by state officials.

After offering condolences on Mutafian’s passing Yerlikaya pledged to submit the application to Turkey’s Interior Ministry and provide a quick response to the Patriarchate leaders.

The Religious Council on Tuesday decided that the process will be organized under the leadership of Archbishop Ateshian.

Mutafian, who was elected Patriarch in 1998, was diagnosed with dementia in 2008 and was incapacitated to complete his duties. Ateshian was appointed as Vicar General. However, the Patriarchate’s religious council in 2017 began planning an election for a new patriarch, which was thwarted by Ateshian himself, as well as the local authorities who declared the council’s effort against the law.

F18News: AZERBAIJAN: Supreme Court rejects conscientious objectors’ appeals

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief
=================================================
Wednesday 1 May 2019
AZERBAIJAN: Supreme Court rejects conscientious objectors' appeals
Two Jehovah's Witnesses – given one-year suspended prison terms and
living under restrictions for refusing compulsory military service on
grounds of conscience – failed to overturn their criminal convictions at
the Supreme Court in April. Shia Imam Sardar Babayev, jailed for leading
Muslim worship after gaining religious education outside Azerbaijan, awaits
a European Court of Human Rights decision.
AZERBAIJAN: Supreme Court rejects conscientious objectors' appeals
By Felix Corley, Forum 18
Two conscientious objectors – both of them Jehovah's Witnesses – have
failed to overturn their criminal convictions at Azerbaijan's Supreme Court
in the capital Baku. The court rejected Emil Mehdiyev's appeal on 10 April.
It similarly rejected Vahid Abilov's appeal on 24 April. Both were given
one-year suspended jail terms in 2018 and have to live under restrictions.
Both sentences expire in October 2019, after which the men will still have
a criminal record.
Despite an explicit commitment to the Council of Europe ahead of its
accession in 2001, Azerbaijan has never established a civilian alternative
to compulsory military service for all young men (see below).
The Human Rights Ombudsperson's Office in Baku has not responded to Forum
18's December 2018 enquiry as to what action (if any) it had taken to
defend the rights of Mehdiyev and Abilov or push for an alternative
civilian service to be established in line with Azerbaijan's Council of
Europe commitment (see below).
Meanwhile, jailed Shia Muslim Imam Sardar Babayev is awaiting a decision in
his case from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, his lawyer
Javad Javadov told Forum 18. Babayev is the first (and so far only)
individual known to have been punished for the "crime" of leading worship
in a Muslim community after having gained his religious education outside
Azerbaijan (see below).
Muslim prisoner of conscience Telman Shiraliyev, given an extra nearly six
months' jail term in October 2018 for alleged violation of prison rules,
was freed on 18 February after a Baku court reduced his jail term by just
over a month. He had been jailed since 2012 for protesting against an
Education Ministry ban on girls wearing the hijab headscarf (see below).
Muslim theologian and prisoner of conscience Zulfuqar Mikayilzade (also
known as Mikayilov) was freed from prison on 17 March, the day after he was
included in a presidential amnesty decree. Deputy leader of the Muslim
Unity Movement, he was arrested in November 2015 amid a massive security
assault on the village of Nardaran near Baku. He had been serving a 17-year
jail term (see below).
First conscientious objector's Supreme Court appeal fails
Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector Emil Vilayat oglu Mehdiyev (born
12 December 1999) has failed at the Supreme Court in Baku to overturn his
criminal conviction for refusing compulsory military service on grounds of
conscience. On 10 April, Judge Tahir Kazimov of the Court's criminal
division rejected his appeal, according to court records.
After his call-up for military service in December 2017, Mehdiyev
repeatedly told the Conscription Office he could not perform military
service on grounds of conscience and was willing to perform an alternative
civilian service.
However, prosecutors brought a case against Mehdiyev under Criminal Code
Article 321.1. This states: "Evasion without lawful grounds of call-up to
military service or of mobilisation, with the purpose of evading serving in
the military, is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years [in
peacetime]".
On 6 July 2018, Barda District Court convicted Mehdiyev and handed down a
one-year suspended prison term, and required that he live under probation
for one year. 
(
 During
this time, Mehdiyev must report to the authorities each week and remains
under travel restrictions.
Mehdiyev appealed against his conviction, but Ganca Appeal Court rejected
his appeal on 8 October 2018.
(
 The sentence then came
into legal force, meaning that it will expire on 8 October 2019.
Mehdiyev lodged his appeal against his criminal conviction to the Supreme
Court on 10 December 2018.
Second conscientious objector's Supreme Court appeal fails
Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector Vahid Gunduz oglu Abilov (born 2
May 1999) has failed at the Supreme Court in Baku to overturn his criminal
conviction for refusing compulsory military service on grounds of
conscience. On 24 April, Judge Hafiz Nasibov of the Court's criminal
division rejected his appeal, according to court records.
Abilov refused to serve in the army after his call-up in May 2017. "My
Bible-trained conscience prevents me from taking up military service," he
told Agdam District Conscription Office in writing. "I do not evade, or
even think of evading, the fulfilment of my civic duty. I just kindly ask
you to provide me with alternative civilian service instead of military
service."
Prosecutors brought a criminal case against Abilov on 9 July 2018 under
Criminal Code Article 321.1.
On 6 September 2018, Agdam District Court found Abilov guilty and sentenced
him to a one-year suspended prison term. During this time, Abilov must
report to the authorities each week and remains under travel restrictions.
(
Abilov appealed against his conviction, but Ganca Appeal Court rejected his
appeal on 31 October 2018.
(
 The sentence then came
into legal force, meaning that it will expire on 31 October 2019.
Abilov lodged his appeal against his criminal conviction to the Supreme
Court on 12 January 2019.
"The terms of the restrictions Vahid Abilov must live under during the year
remain very vague," Jehovah's Witnesses complained to Forum 18 in December
2018.
Will Ombudsperson's Office help conscientious objectors?
Ahead of its accession to the Council of Europe in January 2001, Azerbaijan
promised "to adopt, within two years of accession, a law on alternative
service in compliance with European standards and, in the meantime, to
pardon all conscientious objectors presently serving prison terms or
serving in disciplinary battalions, allowing them instead to choose (when
the law on alternative service has come into force) to perform non-armed
military service or alternative Civilian service".
Azerbaijan has never done this, and conscientious objectors to military
service have been repeatedly prosecuted and even jailed under Criminal Code
Article 321.1.
Four conscientious objectors jailed earlier as prisoners of conscience and
another who received a suspended prison term are awaiting decisions from
the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
(
Forum 18 asked the Human Rights Ombudsperson's Office in Baku in writing on
17 December 2018 (resent on ) what action (if any) it had
taken to defend the rights of Mehdiyev and Abilov. It also asked what
action (if any) it had taken to push for the adoption of a law to allow for
those who have conscientious objections to military service to perform a
civilian alternative service, which Azerbaijan committed to introduce by
2003.
Forum 18 had received no reply from the Ombudsperson's Office by the end of
the working day in Baku on 1 May.
Awaiting European Court decision
Jailed Shia Imam Sardar Akif oglu Babayev (born 12 March 1974), punished
for leading Muslim worship having gained his religious education outside
Azerbaijan, is awaiting a decision in his case from the European Court of
Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg, his lawyer Javad Javadov told Forum 18
from Baku on 1 May.
Arrested in February 2017, Imam Babayev was given a three-year prison term
by a court in the southern town of Masalli in July 2017. He is the first
(and so far only) individual known to have been punished for the "crime" of
leading worship in a Muslim community after having gained his religious
education outside Azerbaijan.
Imam Babayev was jailed despite having led prayers at the state-controlled
Caucasian Muslim Board's invitation, but local human rights defenders
suggested that the state saw the popularity of the Imam's sermons among
Muslims as a threat. 
(
Prisoner of conscience Babayev was sentenced under Criminal Code Article
168-1.3.1 ("Violation of the procedure for religious propaganda and
religious ceremonies"), including the conducting of Islamic rites by a
citizen who received their Islamic education abroad, and committing this
"crime" repeatedly carries a penalty of a prison term of between two and
five years.
Babayev's lawyer Javad Javadov lodged the case to the ECtHR (Application
No. 34015/17) on 2 May 2017, after he failed in his challenge through the
local courts to Babayev's February 2017 arrest.
Javadov updated the application to the ECtHR after Masalli District Court
handed down the three-year prison sentence in July 2017. Shirvan Appeal
Court rejected Imam Babayev's appeal in September 2017. The Supreme Court
in Baku rejected Imam Babayev's final appeal against his conviction in
February 2018. 
(
On 4 September 2018, the ECtHR asked the Azerbaijani government whether it
violated Babayev's right to freedom of thought conscience and religion
under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms, as well as the related rights to a fair trial (Article 6),
freedom of expression (Article 10), freedom of assembly and association
(Article 11), and prohibition of discrimination (Article 14).
(
The ECtHR also asked on what grounds Babayev was held for months in
pre-trial detention (Article 5 - "Right to liberty and security") and
whether being held in a metal cage in the courtroom broke the Convention's
prohibition of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 3).
(
The Azerbaijani government submitted its response to the ECtHR on 1
February 2019, the deadline the court had given it, court officials told
Forum 18 from Strasbourg. "The government's response was, as usual, not
serious," Javadov told Forum 18. "The communication phase is over and we
are now awaiting a decision. It is not yet known when this will be."
Babayev is currently being held in Prison No. 17 in Bina in eastern Baku.
"He faces no obstacles in praying, and he has a Koran," his lawyer Javadov
told Forum 18 on 1 May. "Conditions are reasonable."
The address of the prison where Babayev is being held:
17 sayli Cazacakma müassisasi
AZ-1045, Baki sahari
Khazar rayonu
Bina qasabasi
Azerbaijan
Last anti hijab ban protester freed
Shia Muslim prisoner of conscience Telman Shirali oglu Shiraliyev (born 13
February 1981) had his prison term reduced by one month and five days and
was freed on 18 February, human rights defenders told Forum 18 from Baku.
The reduction in sentence – by a Baku court – meant he had served the
full four month and 13 day sentence and was freed in the courtroom.
Shiraliyev was among a large group of Muslim men jailed for protesting on
the streets of Baku on 5 October 2012 against a 2010 Education Ministry ban
on girls wearing a headscarf (hijab) in schools. The protest outside the
Education Ministry - the largest of three such street protests - ended in
violence. Independent observers insisted that the violence did not come
from the protestors, but from provocateurs among the crowd possibly
controlled by the police or other security agencies.
(
A Baku court handed Shiraliyev a six-year jail term in April 2013. It was
due to end on 5 October 2018.
However, prosecutors brought new criminal charges against Shiraliyev in
late September 2018, claiming he had kept illegal items in prison,
including a knife under his pillow. Human rights defenders dismissed the
claims.
Prosecutors brought the case against Shiraliyev under Criminal Code Article
317-2.1. This punishes "Preparation, storage, transportation or use of
objects prohibited by a person detained in prisons or in detention
facilities" with imprisonment of up to six months.
At the end of the short trial on 20 December 2018, Baku's Khazar District
Court sentenced Shiraliyev to five months and 18 days' imprisonment.
(
Shiraliyev was the last of the 32 men convicted for participating in the
October 2012 anti hijab ban demonstration to be freed from prison.
Freed under amnesty
Shia Muslim theologian and prisoner of conscience Zulfuqar Sadraddin oglu
Mikayilzade (born 1978, also known as Mikayilov) was freed from Prison No.
8 in Baku's Qaradag District on 17 March, local media noted the same day.
Mikayilzade had been included among a large number of prisoners amnestied
by President Ilham Aliyev in a 16 March decree.
Mikayilzade was deputy leader of the Muslim Unity Movement, launched in
2015 and led by jailed Imam Taleh Bagirov. The authorities quickly began to
try to suppress the new Movement, which has both religious and political
goals and aims to unify the Islamic and secular opposition to the regime of
President Ilham Aliyev.
(
Security forces arrested Mikayilzade on 26 November 2015 during their
assault on the village of Nardaran, north of Baku. The General Prosecutor's
Office accused the Muslim Unity Movement of planning "a violent change to
the constitutional system of government" to establish "a religious state
governed by Sharia law". It claimed that the "armed criminal group"
stockpiled ammunition and explosives. The Muslim Unity Movement denied any
attempt to seize power and denied collecting weapons for this purpose.
Mikayilzade was tried with eleven others in what became known as Nardaran
case No. 3. On 6 December 2017, Baku's Serious Crimes Court sentenced him
on a wide range of criminal charges to 17 years' imprisonment in strict
regime prison. The other eleven received jail terms of between 12 and 15
years.
In April 2018, Baku Appeal Court increased the severity of the prison
conditions of Mikayilzade's sentence from strict to special regime. On 16
November 2018, the Supreme Court rejected Mikayilzade's further appeal,
according to court records. (END)
Full reports on freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Azerbaijan
(
For more background, see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom survey
(
Forum 18's compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments
(
A printer-friendly map of Azerbaijan
(
Twitter @Forum_18
Follow us on Facebook @Forum18NewsService
All Forum 18 text may be referred to, quoted from, or republished in full,
if Forum 18 is credited as the source.
All photographs that are not Forum 18's copyright are attributed to the
copyright owner. If you reuse any photographs from Forum 18's website, you
must seek permission for any reuse from the copyright owner or abide by the
copyright terms the copyright owner has chosen.
© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855.
=================================================
SUBSCRIBE 
 and enter your e-mail
address for either the full or the weekly edition.
- Or send an empty e-mail to (for the full edition):
[email protected]
(for the weekly edition):
[email protected]
UNSUBSCRIBE 
 and enter your e-mail
address for either the full or the weekly edition.
- Or send an empty e-mail to (for the full edition):
[email protected]
(for the weekly edition):
[email protected]
=================================================
If you need to contact F18News, please email us at:  
f18news @ editor.forum18.org
Forum 18
Postboks 6603
Rodeløkka
N-0502 Oslo
NORWAY
=================================================

PRESS RELEASE: ANCC Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day / Déclaration du CNAC à l’occasion du jour du souvenir de l’Holocauste

Armenian National Committee of Canada

Comité National Arménien du Canada 

Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622

E-mail/Courriel:[email protected]

www.anccanada.org

-PRESS RELEASE-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2019                                                                          Contact: Sevag Belian (613) 235-2622

ANCC Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day 

OTTAWA – Today, the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) joins Jewish communities in Canada and around the world in solemnly marking Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Over seven decades have passed since the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust. A systematic genocide was perpetrated by the Nazi regime, which targeted Jewish communities across Europe.  

“The international community’s silence on the Armenian Genocide paved the way for Hitler to commit his own crime against the innocent Jewish population of Europe,” said Shahen Mirakian, president of the ANCC.

Shortly before invading Poland in 1939, Hitler famously said, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” in a shameless attempt to justify his actions against the Jewish community.

“We will never forget, and we will continue to work alongside our partners in the Jewish community to combat hate, discrimination and anti-Semitism across Canada and around the world,” said Mirakian.

“On this solemn occasion, we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Jewish community and together say Never Again,” concluded Mirakian.

-30-

******

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Armenian-Canadian grassroots human rights organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-Canadian community on a broad range of issues and works to eliminate abuses of human rights throughout Canada and the world.

 

Armenian National Committee of Canada

Comité National Arménien du Canada 

Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622

E-mail/Courriel:[email protected]

www.anccanada.org

 

-COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE-

POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

1er mai, 2019                                                                        Contact: Sevag Belian (613) 235-2622

 

Déclaration du CNAC à l’occasion du jour du souvenir de l’Holocauste

OTTAWA – Le Comité national arménien du Canada (CNAC) se joint aujourd’hui aux communautés juives du Canada et du monde entier pour marquer solennellement le Yom HaShoah, jour de la commémoration de l’Holocauste.

Plus de sept décennies se sont écoulées depuis les horreurs indicibles de l’Holocauste. Un génocide systématique a été perpétré par le régime nazi, qui visait les communautés juives de toute l’Europe.

« Le silence de la communauté internationale sur le génocide arménien a permis Hitler de commette son propre crime contre la population innocente juive de l’Europe », a déclaré Shahen Mirakian, président du CNAC.

Peu de temps avant d’envahir la Pologne en 1939, Hitler avait déclaré : “Qui, après tout, parle aujourd’hui de l’annihilation des Arméniens?” dans une tentative éhontée de justifier ses crimes contre la communauté juive.

« Nous n’oublierons jamais et nous continuerons à collaborer avec nos partenaires de la communauté juive pour lutter contre la haine, la discrimination et l’antisémitisme au Canada et dans le monde », a déclaré M. Mirakian.

« En cette occasion solennelle, nous sommes solidaires de nos frères et sœurs de la communauté juive. Ensemble, nous disons Plus jamais », a conclu Mirakian.

 

-30-

******

Le CNAC est la plus grande et influente des organisations arméno-canadiennes populaires des droits de la personne. Travaillant en collaboration avec un vaste réseau de bureaux, chapitres et sympathisants partout au Canada, et avec plusieurs organisations affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC fait valoir les préoccupations de la communauté arméno-canadiennes pour un large éventail de questions et œuvre à l’élimination des violations des droits de la personne à travers le Canada et le monde.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 05/01/2019

                                        Wednesday, 
Communists See No Major Changes In Armenia
        • Susan Badalian
Armenia -- The Communist Party of Armenia holds a May Day demonstration in 
Yerevan, May 1, 2019.
The leader of the Communist Party of Armenia (HKK) said little has changed in 
the country since last year’s “velvet revolution” as he led a traditional May 
Day demonstration in Yerevan on Wednesday.
The HKK was again the only Armenian political group that rallied supporters in 
the capital to mark the public holiday officially called Labor Day. Hundreds of 
them marched through the city center, waving red flags and holding big banners.
The crowd included not only elderly people nostalgic about the Soviet past, the 
HKK’s core support base, but also young Armenians and even schoolchildren. Some 
of them came from the country’s regions.
Radik Harutiunian, the head of the HKK chapter in the northeastern town of 
Martuni, said he tapped his modest pension to cover the travel expenses of 
local young Communists.
Harutiunian proudly sported a hammer-and-sickle insignia on his chest. “This 
symbol had given me free education, free healthcare and guaranteed employment,” 
he told RFE/RL’s Armenian service.
“Our ideology is the most progressive in the world. Humanity has not managed to 
create anything better than that,” said Yerjanik Ghazarian, the HKK’s acting 
first secretary.
Ghazarian was unimpressed with last year’s mass protests that toppled the 
former Armenian government opposed by his party. He said it was mere “regime 
change,” rather than a revolution.
“The system has remained the same, only individuals [in government] have 
changed,” Ghazarian told reporters. He argued that just like its predecessors 
the current government opposes “socialism.”
Still, Ghazarian said his party stands ready to help Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian make Armenia’s relations with Russia “spotless.” Pashinian should get 
rid of his associates hostile to Moscow, added the HKK leader.
Pashinian congratulated Armenians on May Day in a written statement. He said 
his government is committed to protecting worker rights while carrying out an 
“economic revolution” promised by him.
The Communists were a major political force in Armenia in the 1990s, winning 
roughly 10 percent of the vote in various national elections. However, their 
influence has since declined significantly.
The HKK, which claims to have 20,000 members, has not been represented in the 
Armenian parliament since 2003. It won less than 1 percent of the vote in the 
April 2017 parliamentary elections and did not run in snap polls held in 
December 2018.
‘Oligarch’ Questioned Over Kidnapping Claim
        • Artak Khulian
Armenia -- Businessman Samvel Aleksanian attends a parliament session in 
Yerevan, September 10, 2018.
Samvel Aleksanian, one of Armenia’s wealthiest and most influential 
businesspeople, has been questioned by law-enforcement authorities on suspicion 
of kidnapping a once prominent journalist.
The veteran journalist, Hamlet Ghushchian, alleged in March that he was forced 
into Aleksanian’s car and driven away “year ago.” “He then got me out of his 
jeep and put a gun to my neck,” said Ghushchian, who was a well-known sports 
reporter in Soviet times and hosted TV talk shows in the 1990s and early 2000s.
He claimed that Aleksanian unjustly accused him of airing slanderous 
information about vodka produced by of the tycoon’s firms.
Armenia’s Investigative Committee launched a criminal investigation into 
Ghushchian’s allegations early this month. Aleksanian confirmed on Wednesday 
that the law-enforcement agency has interrogated him as part of the inquiry.
Speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian service by phone, he strongly denied kidnapping 
the journalist and insisted that he had never even met the latter.
“I’m not a kidnapper, my dear,” said Aleksanian. “I hope you guys don’t kidnap 
me. How can I kidnap others?”
Ghushchian stood by his allegations, however. He said he is outraged by the 
fact that Aleksanian was questioned as a witness and not charged.
Aleksanian, who is commonly known as “Lfik Samo,” owns some of Armenia’s most 
lucrative firms, including the ones that have long controlled imports of sugar 
and other foodstuffs.He was a member of the Armenian parliament from 2003-2018, 
a fact that highlighted his close ties with the country’s former leaders.
The 50-year-old “oligarch” quit former President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican 
Party (HHK) in June 2018 more than a month after the latter resigned amid mass 
protests against his continued rule. Aleksanian has kept a very low profile 
since then. According to media reports, the 2018 “velvet revolution” has not 
had a serious impact on his businesses.
Man Told To Retract ‘False’ Claims About Armenian Security Chief
        • Naira Nalbandian
Armenia -- Garegin Miskarian, a member of the Citizen's Decision party, speaks 
to RFE/RL in Yerevan, May 1, 2019.
Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) has told a member of a small 
political party to retract his allegations that the NSS director, Artur 
Vanetsian, is engaged in illegal entrepreneurial activity.
Garegin Miskarian of the Citizen’s Decision party attacked Vanetsian in a 
recent Facebook post. Miskarian claimed that Vanetsian and his family had 
smuggled diesel from Iran and have continued fuel imports after last year’s 
“velvet revolution.”
The security service categorically denied that in a letter to Miskarian which 
was signed by an NSS official, Vahe Yengibarian. The latter demanded that the 
activist retract his “article” in writing.
Miskarian accepted the demand but defended his post on Wednesday, saying that 
it was based on media reports. He also objected to the fact that the retraction 
was demanded by the NSS, rather than Vanetsian. “I did not mention the NSS in 
that status,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian service.
Yengibarian insisted, meanwhile, that Vanetsian did not abuse his 
administrative resources to protect his reputation. Nor did the NSS chief seek 
to restrict freedom of speech in the country, the official said.
Vanetsian, 38, was appointed as NSS director shortly after the 2018 revolution. 
He is widely regarded as an influential member of Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s entourage. Over the past year the NSS has launched high-profile 
corruption investigations into some former senior government officials as well 
as their relatives and cronies.
Press Review
Armenia -- Newspapers for press review illustration, Yerevan, 12Jul2016
“Haykakan Zhamanak” comments on Tuesday’s meeting in Yerevan of the prime 
ministers of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member states. The 
pro-government paper condemns media outlets sympathetic to Armenia’s former 
leadership of using the occasion to “remind” Russian Prime Minister Dmitry 
Medvedev of his Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinian’s 2017 criticism of the 
EEU and anti-Russian rallies organized by some of his associates in the past. 
It says that the former regime, which constantly advocates Armenia’s continued 
alliance with Russia, is now trying to “spoil” Russian-Armenian relations.
Andranik Kocharian, the chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on 
defense and security, tells “Zhamanak” that the upcoming trial of former 
President Robert Kocharian (no relation), his former chief of staff Armen 
Gevorgian and three retired army generals promises to be “very difficult.” “For 
us, it will be the same as the Nuremberg trial held after the [Second World] 
war,” he says. “The March 1 case has such a resonance. Fully solving the March 
1 case means understanding as a result of what decisions the March 1 [violence] 
occurred. It’s not just about the ten victims [of the March 2008 clashes in 
Yerevan.] The trial will ascertain the political aims of the gunshots that were 
fired at people.”
“Zhoghovurd” dismisses Dashnaktsutyun’s strong criticism of the current 
Armenian government voiced in a statement adopted at a party conference held 
this week. The paper compares the opposition party’s claims that the government 
has failed to achieve “tangible results in any area of public life” and is 
undermining “traditional and spiritual values” to “fake news.” It also deplores 
Dashnaktsutyun’s claim that Pashinian’s policy towards the Nagorno-Karabakh 
conflict is “evasive.”
(Sargis Harutyunyan)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

Calendar of Events – 05/2/2019

                        Armenian News's Calendar of events
                        (All times local to events)
                =========================================
What:           Event dedicated to "Iraqi Armenian Educational Institutions"
When:           Mar 24 2019 4:30pm
Where:          St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Cathedral's Hall
                1510 E. Mountain St. Glendale, CA 91207
Misc:           With a high sense of gratitude to our Iraqi national Schools
                and educators, we have organized an event dedicated to "Iraqi
                Armenian Educational Institutions" under sponsorship of the
                Hamazkayin USA Western Region.
                Participating in the event are our youth with recited poem, who
                had received their Armenian education in Iraq, Singers, the
                screening of Iraqi Armenian Schools history video, former
                principals and teachers eyewitness testimony video, and remark
                of the Hamazkayin Board member.
                The event is free of charge to the public. There will be a
                reception at the end of the program.
Tel:            818-244-9639
                =========================================
What:           St James Armenian Church Men's Club Dinner Meeting
                The speaker will be Dick Flavin, an American poet known as the
                poet laureate of the Boston Red Sox.
When:           May 6 2019 6:15pm
Where:          St James Armenian Church
                Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center - Keljik Hall
                465 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA
Misc:           Flavin was born in Boston and grew up in Quincy, MA. He became
                the press spokesman for the Massachusetts State Democratic
                Committee in 1963 and a speechwriter for several politicians,
                including Ted Kennedy. He went on to become press secretary for
                the president of the Massachusetts Senate and, in 1967, for the
                successful campaign of Kevin White for Mayor of Boston. In
                1970, Flavin left politics for reporting. He became political
                editor and reporter for WNAC-TV in Boston before moving to
                WBZ-TV in 1973 where he spent 14 years as a commentator. It was
                while at WBZ that he was nominated for 14 New England Regional
                Emmy Awards, winning 7 times. His work as a broadcaster was
                honored in 2011 with his induction into the Massachusetts
                Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
                On the creative side, Flavin's one-man play, According to Tip,
                was produced at Boston's Repertory Theatre in 2008. The play
                captured both the public and private life of Tip O'Neill, the
                Democratic Speaker of the US House of Representatives. It was
                awarded "Best New Play of the Year" by the critics and writers
                that make up the Independent Reviewers of new England.
                Most notably, Dick Flavin is the New York Times bestselling
                author of Red Sox Rhymes: Verses and Curses, a collection of 64
                humorous and nostalgic poems celebrating the Boston Red Sox.
                Ladies are invited. Dinner at 7.
Online Contact: Hapet Berberian 
                =========================================
What:           Armenian Economic Association 2019 Annual Meetings
When:           Jun 27 2019 10am
                to Jun 29 2019 7pm
Where:          Armenian State University of Economics, 
                the Armenian National Agrarian University, and the American
                University of Armenia
Misc:           Scholars, researchers, and graduate students are invited to
                present their research in all areas of economics and finance. 
                No cost to present or attend.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Web:            
***************************************************************************
Armenian News's calendar of events is collected and updated mostly from
announcements posted on this list, and submissions to Armenian [email protected].
To submit, send to Armenian [email protected], and please note the following
important points:
a) Armenian News's administrators have final say on what may be included in
        Armenian News's calendar of events.
b) Posting time will is on Thursdays, 06:00 US Pacific time, to squeeze in
        a final reminder before weekend activities kick in.
c) Calendar items are short, functional, and edited to fit a template.
d) There is no guarantee or promise that an item will be published on time.
e) Calendar information is believed to be from reliable sources. However,
        no responsibility by the List's Administation or by USC is assumed
        for inaccuracies and there is no guarantee that the information is
        up-to-date.
f) No commercial events will be accepted.
        (Dinners, dances, forget it. This is not an ad-space.)
g) Armenian News is a non-commercial, non-partisan, pan-Armenian outlet.
*******************************************************************
    The Critical Corner
    The Literary Armenian News
    Review & Outlook
    World News
    The Entertainment Wire
    Probing the Photographic Record
    Armenia House Museums
    ...and much more
© Copyright 2019,  Armenian News Network / Armenian News, all rights reserved.
Regards,
--
Armenian News Network / Armenian News
Los Angeles, CA     / USA

Archbishop Aram Ateşyan to coordinate the Armenian Patriarch elections

Panorama, Armenia
May 1 2019

The religious council of the Armenian Patriarchate held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the election of the new Patriarch of Constantinople, after Archbishop Mesrob II Mutafyan was laid to rest following his death two months ago.

Ermenihaber reports that a decision supported by five voted in favor was made  to grant the coordination role of the election process to Archbishop Aram Ateşyan  who acts as vicar general of the Patriarchate.
The council also decided to apply to the  Governor of Istanbul Province to initiate the elections as envisaged by Turkish laws. 

To remind, the Istanbul patriarchal seat has been vacant since 2008 when the former office holder, Mesrob II Mutafyan, was declared unable to carry out his duties because of dementia.