Category: 2021

Prosecutors in Turkey seek to strip several MPs, including Armenian Garo Paylan, of immunity

Babken Chilingarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 20 2021

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has prepared summaries of proceedings for nine lawmakers from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), seeking the lift of their legislative immunities, Bianet reports.

The HDP lawmakers, along with 99 other defendants, are facing aggravated life sentences for having allegedly organized the deadly “Kobane protests” in Kurdish-majority cities in October 2014.

The summaries of proceedings have been sent to the Ministry of Justice to be submitted to the parliament for a vote after being reviewed in relevant committees.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have the parliamentary majority to approve the summaries of proceedings.

HDP Co-Chair Pervin Buldan, its parliamentary group deputy chairs Meral Danış-Beştaş and Saruhan Oluç, and Garo Paylan, Hüda Kaya, Sezai Temelli, Pero Dundar, Fatma Kurtulan and Serpil Kemalbay-Pekgözegü are the MPs that the investigation concerns.

Dozens of HDP politicians were detained on September 25 after the investigation was launched and 17 of them were later remanded in custody.

The indictment charging the suspects with 25 different offenses, including “managing a terrorist organization” and “attempted overthrow,” was accepted on January 7.

The protests in question began in late September 2014 when ISIS launched an offensive to take over Kobane, a Kurdish town in northern Syria. Incidents between different protesting groups and the police response to protesters turned violent from October 6, resulting in the deaths of  42 people.

While the government has accused the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) of orchestrating the protests and held it responsible for the losses, the party says most of the killed were its supporters and the incidents have not been effectively investigated.

Several senior HDP politicians had been previously investigated over the incidents but none of them received a sentence.

The events 33 years ago became a movement of revival of the Armenian people – MFA

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 20 2021

On February 20, 1988, the Council of People’s Deputies of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast made a historic decision to peacefully strive for the realization of the right of the Artsakh Armenians to self-determination.

՞This decision came as result of arbitrary decrees on the status of Artsakh at the sovietization period of the region, the Azerbaijani SSR authorities’ decades-long policy of ethnic discrimination against the Armenian people, oppression of the Armenian identity, distortion of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage and deliberate policy of changing the demographic situation in Artsakh, which was openly admitted by the high-level leadership of Azerbaijan at different periods,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In order to suppress the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination, the Azerbaijani authorities resorted to force in Kirovabad, Sumgait, Baku and other cities- hundreds of kilometers away from Artsakh- resulting in hundreds of victims and the complete annihilation of Armenians in Azerbaijan.

“This policy gained a new momentum during the wars unleashed by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, which were accompanied by mass atrocities, the complete annihilation of Armenians in the Azerbaijani-occupied regions of Artsakh, and attempts to destroy the Armenian identity of those territories,” the Ministry said.

“The events unfolded 33 years ago, with all their achievements and losses, became a movement of revival of the Armenian people, emphasizing the nationwide unity, the aspiration to create a safe, free and  dignified life in their own  homeland,” it stated.

 

California Armenian Legislative Caucus urges colleagues to reject Azerbaijani propaganda

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 20 2021

Asbarez – In a “Dear Colleague” letter, leaders of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus on Friday urged their fellow lawmakers to “not spread misinformation” emanating from Azerbaijani propaganda material circulated to legislative offices about a fabricated “Khojaly Massacre.”

The letter, signed by Assemblymembers Laura Friedman and Adrin Nazarian, as well as Senators Anthony Portantino, and Senator Scott Wilk on behalf of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, said “the request [by the propaganda authors] is a falsification of history and truth.”

The Armenian Caucus urged fellow lawmakers “to stand with the California Armenian Americans… and not spread misinformation.”

Below is the text of the letter:

Dear Colleague,

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus strongly urges you to stand with California Armenian Americans. Your office may have received a propaganda request regarding a fabricated Azerbaijani Khojaly Massacre. We urge you to stand with us and not spread misinformation.

The request is a falsification of the history and truth. In 1992, the Azeri’s shelled Armenian civilian targets using rockets in the Republic of Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh). As a result of Azeri attacks, Armenians suffered civilian casualties as well as hundreds of Armenians being kidnapped. With the help of Turkey, Azerbaijan blockaded all delivery of goods into Armenia: food, fuel, and medical supplies. Armenian forces had to neutralize Azeri fire in Khojaly and terminate the blockade. The Azeri’s goal of attacking and killing the Armenian people was very clearly deliberate.

Using loudspeakers for ten days, the Armenian forces announced to Khojaly inhabitants and Azeri forces that an attack was imminent. The announcements also informed Azeris that Armenians had dedicated a corridor for the safe passage of civilians to Azeri held areas. The Azeri authorities did nothing to facilitate the evacuation of their people. On February 25, 1992, the Armenian self-defense forces attacked Khojaly. Several Azeri civilians tried to flee through the corridor; however, Azeri forces fired at the column, killing an unknown number. Although the Armenians were successful in neutralizing the Azeri fire- power, Khojaly remained in Azeri hands for many months. Soon after the attack, Azeri authorities claimed that Armenians had committed genocide. There is no evidence for their allegation.

The request that your office received has turned the incident into an anti-Armenian campaign. This anti-Armenian stance is a fresh wound for Armenians as they have very recently been attacked by the Azeri’s, just as they were in 1992.

On September 27, 2020 Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked attack against the peaceful Republic of Artsakh by shelling military positions and innocent civilian populations indiscriminately. Turkey played an active role in supporting Azerbaijan’s aggression toward Artsakh by providing arms, logistical and communications support, and even transporting paid Jihadist mercenaries to Azerbaijan from Libya and the Turkish Syrian border. Armenia was forced to make significant concessions at the conclusion of the war.

On November 9, 2020, a ceasefire was declared that called upon the mutual release and exchange of prisoners. Azerbaijan has not yet released the prisoners of war and innocent civilians that are being held captive. All persons were to be exchanged. Azerbaijan has a history of gruesome treatment and human rights violations of captives. So far, only 54 Armenians, both civilians and soldiers have been returned from Azerbaijani custody while the number of missing Armenians continues to grow. Even after the ceasefire, Armenian soldiers have been captured and Azerbaijan has failed to acknowledge these soldiers as prisoners of war and want to try them in Azerbaijan on criminal charges. Azerbaijani soldiers are continuing to break the ceasefire and capture innocent Armenian soldiers and hold them as hostages only to unfairly extort political and territorial demands.

Furthermore, for more than a century, Turkey and Azerbaijan have maintained a violent history toward the Armenian people. Descendants of the Armenian Genocide continue to mourn the loss of 1.5 million ancestors murdered by the Turks and over 5,000 civilians and military personnel were killed in this conflict.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus is a bi-partisan, non-political Caucus that encourages California Armenian Americans to advocate and participate in cultural, educational, governmental, and community efforts in California. Through advocacy, the Caucus strives to ensure that California Armenian Americans’ voices are heard and given a platform. The Caucus serves as a forum for members from the California Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Armenian Americans and develop and empower the Armenian American community throughout California.

Armenian-Americans have been crucial to the contributions in the history of the United States and California since the major wave of Armenian settlers came here in the late 1890s. Today, California is home to more Armenians than anywhere in the United States. The contributions of Armenians to California culture and history have been remarkable. Armenians have brought their intellect and work ethic to bear in a variety of fields including agriculture, energy, medicine, technology, the arts, government, and more. The Caucus strives to educate Californians on Armenian American issues and celebrate the achievements of Armenian Americans in California.

Opposition holds rally, march in Yerevan

Edgar Tavakalian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 20 2021

The opposition Homeland Salvation Movement held a rally in Yerevan. The parties involved in the movement and their supporters demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to step down.

Addressing the rally, Vazgen Manukyan, the Movement’s candidate for the post of Prime Minister, said the day is symbolic, as it marks the 33rd anniversary of the start of the Artsakh movement.

“Artsakh – the the only island left inhabited by its native people, Armenians, after the genocide – applied for unification with Armenia. And all our people stood up. We have come a long way since then. From the very beginning of the Karabakh movement, other issues were raised. We felt very strong. We set bigger goals. We set the task of creating an independent state, an independent state based on national ideas, the idea of freedom, justice, prosperity for the whole nation, protection, role in the world and in this region. And we went forward,” said Manukyan.

Opposition hold a protest action demanding RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation in the streets of Yerevan, Armenia

Opposition hold a protest action demanding RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation in the streets of Yerevan, Armenia

Speaking about plans, he noted that everyday work is needed to achieve change of power. He stressed the need to create committees in different parts of the country.

He called to organize strikes, demonstrations, walk around Armenia in convoys of cars, get people up. “It takes time and work,” he said.

Ishkhan Saghatelyan, coordinator of the Homeland Salvation Movement and representative of the ARF Supreme Body, said that from February 22, disobedience rallies will be held in Yerevan every day to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Participants of the rally then marched in different directions to hold acts of civil disobedience.

Participants of rally paralyze streets in Armenia’s capital Yerevan, say hence protest actions to be conducted every day

Karapet Navasardian
Aysor, Armenia
Feb 20 2021



The participants of the rally are paralyzing the downtown Yerevan. Homeland Salvation Movement coordinator Ishkhan Saghatelyan told the reporters that disobedience actions will be conducted in all directions.

“It will be continuous. From Monday protest actions will be conducted every day until government resigns. Each citizen is free to show his dissatisfaction in a way he/she wants,” Saghatelyan said.


Opposition to convene big pan-Armenian forum – Ishkhan Saghatelyan

Ophelia Vardapetian
Aysor, Armenia
Feb 20 2021

In near future the opposition will convene big pan-Armenian forum, ARF-D representative, coordinator of Homeland Salvation Movement Ishkhan Saghatelyan stated at the rally today.

“Starting from this moment the preparatory works of the forum have launched. Your viewpoints, ideas are very important for us. This forum will give the start of program of Armenia’s rise,” he said, adding that the forum will unite the resources, ideas and will have new agenda of national revival.

Nikol Pashinyan caused biggest pain to Armenian people – ex-minister

Emil Lazarian
Aysor, Armenia
Feb 20 2021

Armenian people will heal the wounds of the war but without Nikol Pashinyan, former minister of justice Arpine Hovhannisyan told Aysor.am in the Liberty Square today.

“It is not Nikol Pashinyan who should do it. He is the failed leader who caused deepest pain to the Armenian people and a day more of his tenure approaches the collapse of Armenia state,” Hovhannisyan said.

Armenian protesters demand resignation of prime minister

Arpi Talalian
Press TV, Iran
Feb 20 2021

Saturday, 6:30 PM  [ Last Update: Saturday, 7:05 PM ]

A protester holds a hanging puppet during a demonstration of supporters of opposition Dashnaktsutyun party to demand the resignation of Armenia’s prime minister, at Freedom Square in central Yerevan, . (Photo by AFP)

Armenian protesters have taken to the streets in the capital, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whom they call a ‘traitor.’

The crowd in thousands demonstrated in Yerevan on Saturday.

Protesters want the 45-year-old leader to step down over what they describe as his mishandling of the 2020 conflict with Azerbaijan.

Karabakh war is over; Armenia agrees to withdraw forces from occupied lands
Yerevan has signed a Russia-brokered deal to end its conflict with Baku over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, committing itself to withdrawing all its forces from the occupied territories in a move that has outraged Armenians who consider it as “concession of defeat”.

Till now, Pashinyan has resisted mounting pressure to resign.

He approved a Russia-brokered deal to end Yerevan’s conflict with Baku over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, committing itself to the withdrawal of all its forces from the occupied territories in a move that has outraged Armenians who consider the deal as “concession of defeat.”

In the Russia-brokered deal, Pashinyan agreed to cede swathes of territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh to end fighting.

Demonstrators on Saturday gathered at Freedom Square under a heavy police presence, chanting ‘Armenia without Nikol!’ and ‘Nikol traitor.’

“Our dream is a mighty, powerful homeland and the sole obstacle that hampers the achievement of this goal is Nikol Pashinyan,” said a leader of opposition Dashnaktsutyun party at the demonstration.

“We will not step back, we will get rid of Pashinyan,” Ishkhan Saghatelyan said.

In November, Armenia’s former Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan was forced to resign amid growing discontent across the South Caucasus nation.

Armenian-backed separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan after a war over the mountainous region that left tens of thousands dead in the 1990s.

However, in the recent fighting, which broke out in late September, Azerbaijani forces backed by Turkey gained the upper hand and retrieved large swathes of land. Ankara denied accusations of sending mercenaries to the conflict.

Russia, which is considered to be Armenia’s ally in this conflict, refused to take sides militarily and brokered the ceasefire deal, sending thousands of Russian peacekeeping troops to enforce it until the two warring sides are able to resolve the territorial dispute through diplomatic channels.

Orchestre Classique de Montréal to Present Armenian Songs in ‘From Yerevan to Montreal’ Concert

Antonian Lara
OPERA WIRE
Feb 20 2021
By Logan Martell


Running from March 9 to 23, 2021, the Orchestre Classique de Montreal will present an online fundraising concert of Armenian music, titled “From Yerevan to Montreal.”

Led by Maestro Boris Brott, the concert will feature Armenian-Canadian soprano Aline Kutan. The program is comprised of works from Armenian composers Armen Tigranian and Kevork Andonian, as well as two works by composer and OCM founder Alexander Brott. There will be arias from Tigranian’s opera, “Anoush,” as well as the world premiere of Andonian’s composition, “Revival.”

“From Yerevan to Montreal” will be broadcast live from Salle Pierre-Mercure on March 9, and available for viewing until March 23.

Tickets are $20 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Atken Armenian Foundation in support of music programs for underprivileged children.

43% of Armenians demand resignation of PM Pashinyan – Gallup

Emma Nadirian
JAM News
Feb 20 2021
    JAMnews, Yerevan

The recently published results of a Gallup International poll claim 38.8 percent of respondents in Armenia believe Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan should remain in the post of head of government, while 43.6% believe that he should resign.

The survey was conducted by MPG (Marketing Professional Group) – the only organization in Armenia that officially represents GALLUP International in the country.

The last such survey was conducted in November 2020. Then, according to the director of MPG Aram Navasardyan, 35% demanded the prime minister’s resignation. At the same time, the prime minister retains the highest rating among other Armenian politicians.

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The PM’s rating is higher than former presidents

The respondents who participated in the poll were asked to rate politicians on a scale of 1 to 5.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had the highest rating with 2.8 points.

After him, incumbent President Armen Sargsyan has the highest rating at 2.3 points.

Former presidents of Armenia received lower scores:

  • first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan – 1.7
  • second president Robert Kocharian – 2
  • third president Serzh Sargsyan – 1.7

Among the oppositionists, the leader was the head of the Prosperous Armenia party, prominent businessman Gagik Tsarukyan – 2.2 points. The leader of Bright Armenia Edmon Marukyan scored 1.8 points, the head of the Motherland party, the former head of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan – 1.5, the representative of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun – 1.6.

Vazgen Manukyan, a candidate for the post of prime minister put forward by the opposition parties united in the Movement for the Salvation of the Motherland also scored 1.6 points.

“The previous authorities are to blame for the defeat in the Karabakh war”

32% of respondents blame the former authorities of Armenia for the defeat in the second Karabakh war. Nikol Pashinyan is considered guilty by 28.8%.

16.1% of the respondents consider the participation of Turkey in the war as the reason for the defeat, and 4.4% blame certain officers of the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the NK Defense Army.

Despite the results of the war, there were also those who believe that the Armenian side did not suffer defeat. This is 10.2% of the respondents.

30.7% of respondents believe that Armenia needs to return Shushi and Hadrut and 7 regions around NK – that is, return to the situation that was before the start of the war in Karabakh in the fall of 2020.

“3.1% noted that it is necessary to recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, surrender Artsakh and end the conflict,” said director of MPG Aram Navasardyan.

Most are in favor of snap elections

At the end of last year, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan suggested that the country’s political forces begin consultations on holding early parliamentary elections in 2021.

This was his vision of a way out of the political crisis that arose in the country after the second Karabakh war.

However, already in February 2021, the ruling parliamentary faction My Step announced that there would be no elections.

The decision was justified by the fact that “the proposal of the Prime Minister to hold early parliamentary elections did not receive a positive reaction from the parliamentary opposition, there is no request for early elections among the general public.”

According to the results of the poll, 37.1% of respondents consider the holding of parliamentary elections to be “unequivocally necessary”, and 21.3% consider it “rather necessary”.

13.6% and 19.7%, respectively, voted for the options “rather not needed” and “not needed at all”.

Respondents also answered a question about the format of early elections. 41.2% of those polled believe that the elections should be held under the leadership of Nikol Pashinyan, while 28.2% are against the idea. 7.9% are for the idea of having the elections be held under the leadership of an interim government proposed by the opposition.