Armenia files complaint against Azerbaijan at UN Court

Caucasian Knot, EU
Sept 17 2021

Armenia has asked the UN International Court of Justice to oblige Azerbaijan to stop torture and killings of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) and compensate for human rights violations.

Armenia has filed a complaint with the UN International Court of Justice against Azerbaijan, in which it claims a violation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The complaint says that for decades Azerbaijan has been subjecting Armenia to racial discrimination, which was expressed, among other things, in the massacres and torture of POWs, says a message posted on September 16 on the website of the International Court of Justice.

“Even after the end of hostilities, after the ceasefire, the agreement which entered into force on November 10, 2020, Azerbaijan continues killings and violence against Armenian POWs, hostages and other detained persons,” says the statement of the Armenian party as quoted in a press release of the Court, which was translated by the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

Armenia asks the UN International Court of Justice to bring Azerbaijan to justice for the acts committed in order to prevent such violations in the future, and also demands compensation for the committed violations, the statement informs.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 08:39 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Armine MartirosyanSource: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

Soldier wounded in a shelling attack in Nagorno-Karabakh

Caucasian Knot, EU
Sept 17 2021

Soldier Vruir Shakhramanyan was wounded in a shelling attack from the Azerbaijani side, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Nagorno-Karabakh reported.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Azerbaijan and Armenia regularly exchange accusations of violating the ceasefire in the Karabakh conflict zone and on the border of the two countries. The authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh also claimed shelling attacks from the Azerbaijani positions. So, on September 7, the Ombudsperson of Nagorno-Karabakh reported that a house of a resident of the Tagavard village was damaged during a shelling attack from the Azerbaijani side.

Today, at about 12:30 p.m., “the Azerbaijani armed forces have violated the ceasefire” in the west of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Ministry of Defence of the unrecognized republic reports.

“As a result, Vruir Vardanovich Shakhramanyan, a soldier of the Defence Army, got a gunshot wound. In connection with the incident, the relevant information was provided to the commanders of the Russian peacekeeping contingent,” reads the report posted on the official website of the MoD of Nagorno-Karabakh as translated from the Armenian language by the “Caucasian Knot”.

As of 3:07 p.m. Moscow time, the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan has not posted on its official website any comment on the above information.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 03:10 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: The Caucasian Knot;

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

Customs problem is a result of fuzzy Yerevan-Baku agreements

Caucasian Knot
Sept 17 2021

Azerbaijan is unilaterally regulating the traffic on the Goris-Kapan highway, since no specific mechanisms of post-war interaction with Armenia have been stipulated, political analysts assert.

The opening of the post is backed by Azerbaijan’s fears that Iran might supply military items to Nagorno-Karabakh, Andrias Gukasyan, a political analyst, told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on September 9, the Azerbaijani side arranged a police checkpoint on the Azerbaijani section of the road from Goris to Kapan, and it began operating on September 11. The police checkpoint was arranged in violation of international norms, the Ombudsperson of Armenia Arman Tatoyan stated. Several days after the opening of the police checkpoint, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan reported about the detention of two Iranian truck drivers who transported cement.

The problem is that Azerbaijan made a decision to set up a police post unilaterally, Mr Gukasyan has added and explained: “When the decision was made on the functioning of this section of the Goris-Kapan highway, all possible details were not thought out. The November 9, 2020, statement (made by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on end of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”) failed to stipulate, in particular, mechanisms for maintaining the ceasefire regime, the functioning of corridors and security issues.”

The opening by Azerbaijan of a police post on the Goris-Kapan highway is contrary to Iran’s interests; and these actions violate the principle of good-neighbourly relations, Saak Shakhmuradyan, an Iranian political observer, believes. “By an order from Russia and Turkey, Azerbaijan is trying to cut off Armenia from Iran and deprive it of the exit, via Armenia and Georgia, to the Black Sea and to Europe. This road is of great importance for Iran, which is striving to break the US blockade,” Mr Shakhmuradyan told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 08:12 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Tigran PetrosyanSource: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

A new February Uprising in Armenia?

Sept 18 2021
by GUEST CONTRIBUTOR



The events held in Armenia after the early elections of the National Assembly on June 20 2021, are more and more reminiscent of the situation in Armenia before the February revolt of 1921, a burst of despair that had catastrophic historical and political consequences for Armenia.

The political persecution of opposition figures, especially the decapitation of the Syunik region, the unreasonable removal of the respected officers from the army, primitive quarrels in the National Assembly in the face of growing security crisis, consistent tensions of the whole situation intended to create an atmosphere of deep despair, as it was in February 1921. 

Thus, after establishing the Soviet regime in Armenia on December 2, 1920, Russian-Turkish negotiations determined the new Russian-Turkish borders.

However, the presence of the Armenian side in those negotiations could have caused unnecessary problems on the border issues.

Therefore, it was necessary to create a situation that would make the participation of the Armenian SSR impossible and enable the Bolsheviks to draw the borders of Armenia at their own discretion. 

The Revolutionary Committee of Armenia, violating the Armenian-Russian agreement (commonly known as the Dro-Legran Agreement) in December 1920 – February 1921 created an unbearable atmosphere of repressions and persecution.

The arrests and massacres of more than two hundred Armenian officers, politicians and intellectuals on the night of 10 February 1921 was the last drop that overfilled the cup of patience and forced people to raise a rebellion led by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, suspending the power of the Revolutionary Committee at least in the Ararat Valley. 

When analyzing the course and chronology of the February uprising, one can mention that the Revolutionary Committee handed over Yerevan almost without resistance and pulled back its armed forces to Akhta (currently Hrazdan) and Khamarlu (currently Artashat), in the north to Aparan; and in the West were Turkish troops.

The situation was completely advantageous for the Bolsheviks, since Alexander Bekzadyan, the People’s Commissar of Foreign Affairs of Soviet Armenia had no grounds to participate in the Russian-Turkish negotiations in Moscow, and the “Salvation Committee of the Fatherland” blocked in Yerevan was isolated from the external world with having no chance of survival.

The plan worked.

Alexander Bekzadyan did not take part in the Russian-Turkish conference in Moscow due to the fact that the government he represented did not exist anymore, and the Salvation Committee of the Fatherland was eliminated within two weeks after signing the Moscow Treaty. 

Today through consistent processes despair and deadlock is becoming embedded within the patriotic and honest layers of the Armenian society, thus creating fertile ground for the uprising and rebellions (especially organized by Russia-Turkey-Azerbaijan – the black triangle special forces to proceed with predetermined scenario). 

This will give the Kremlin a so-called legal basis to implement actions envisaged within the framework of the CSTO or the Armenian-Russian interstate agreements and ultimately diminish the Armenian statehood.

This will lead to chaos in Armenia driven by foreign forces, and once again the issues with Armenian borders will be resolved without Armenia’s participation, and the local agents of the black triangle will get a “chance” to blame each other further. 

Post Scriptum: Not to give the reader the impression that we argue the Right of Rebellion, let us also remind you that in 1920-21 Garegin Nzhdeh disobeyed the order from Yerevan to leave Syunik since he knew the significance of Syunik for Armenia’s survival.

Unlike the Yerevan leaders, Nzhdeh also had a strategic understanding of geopolitical processes, will and knowledge to keep Syunik until the Russian-Turkish trade was over.

Moreover, the rebellious Syunik became the lifeline for the rescued Armenian intelligence, later playing a key role in Armenian communities. 

Today Syunik is beheaded. The logic of the ongoing processes suggests that we are witnessing the penultimate round of the Lenin-Kemal-2 operation: to initiate an imitation of a real rebellion by Black triangle’s local agents and puppets, which will ultimately push out Armenia even from the minimal participation in political processes, as well as discredit the idea of a real resistance. 

If the heirs of the two-year-old First Republic, after a thousand years of stateless existence, may have had excuses about not understanding the fundamental driving forces and goals of historical political processes, we need to understand the lessons of 1920-21 a hundred years later, since the price of these events was irreparable. 

Therefore, systematic actions based on the fundamental understanding of geopolitical and historical processes is the only way to stop this destructive wheel. 

By the Armenian Network State Foreign Affairs Think Tank special for Greek City Times 


Armenia and Europol Sign Agreement to Tackle Cross-Border Organized Crime

Sept 18 2021

The agreement will enable both partners to work on some key areas such as migrant smuggling, cybercrime, drug trafficking, asset recovery, money laundering, organized property crime and trafficking in human beings.

On September 16, Europol and Armenia signed a strategic cooperation agreement to expand cooperation to combat cross-border criminal activities. 

The agreement will enable both partners to work on some key areas such as migrant smuggling, cybercrime, drug trafficking, asset recovery, money laundering, organized property crime and trafficking in human beings.

The agreement allows for the exchange of general strategic intelligence as well as strategic and technical information and operational information with the exception of personal data, and will lead to the secondment of an Armenian Liaison Officer to Europol.

The signing of the Agreement on Strategic Cooperation concludes the successful negotiations between Armenia and Europol on how to effectively join forces to fight serious and organized crime. 

After entry into force of the agreement, this new level of cooperation will be important for tackling priority crime areas affecting both the European Union and Armenia.

Read the announcement at Europol

https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/border-security/armenia-and-europol-sign-agreement-to-tackle-cross-border-organized-crime/

ARMENIA AND EUROPOL SIGN AGREEMENT TO COMBAT CROSS-BORDER SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME

EUROPOL
Sept 18 2021
        Press Release
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On 16 September, Europol and Armenia signed a strategic cooperation agreement to expand cooperation to combat cross-border criminal activities. 

The agreement will enable both partners to work on some key areas such as migrant smuggling, cybercrime, drug trafficking, asset recovery, money laundering, organised property crime and trafficking in human beings.

The agreement allows for the exchange of general strategic intelligence as well as strategic and technical information and operational information with the exception of personal data, and will lead to the secondment of a Armenian Liaison Officer to Europol.

The signing of the Agreement on Strategic Cooperation concludes the successful negotiations between Armenia and Europol on how to effectively join forces to fight serious and organised crime. 

After entry into force of the agreement, this new level of cooperation will be important for tackling priority crime areas affecting both the European Union and Armenia.

Emir of the State of Qatar honors Armenian Ambassador with an Order

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 18 2021

The Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has decorated the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Qatar Gegham Gharibjanyan with an Al Wajbah order.

The Emir received outgoing Ambassador Gharibjanyan on September 12, the Armenian Embassy in the State of Qatar informs.

The award notice says it was handed in appreciation of the Ambassador’s commendable efforts, his good work and the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

While a number of Ambassadors to Qatar, including those of France, Belgium, Hungary, Japan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ethiopia, have retired over the past month, Gegham Ghaaribjanyan is the only envoy to be honored with the order.

Armenians have lived in Artsakh for centuries: President Sarkissian addresses the Summit of Minds

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 18 2021

President Armen Sarkissian participated in a plenary discussion on “Geopolitics: Where is the world going?” held within the framework of the Summit of Minds in Chamonix, France.

As a keynote speaker, President Sarkissian addressed the challenges of the modern world. Speaking about the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the President stressed that in Nagorno Karabakh, in Armenian Artsakh, Armenians have historically lived for thousands of years.

“If you go to Karabakh, you will find churches from 4th, 5th centuries, because Armenians have lived there for thousands of years. Today we have an issue with our neighbor Azerbaijan, and we appeal to the international community, UNESCO, concerned about the fate of these religious and cultural monuments,” the President said.

President Sarkissian briefed the summit participants on the history of Artsakh and the reasons for the conflict, how the USSR leadership gave the territory historically belonging to Armenia to Azerbaijan in the early 20th century. The President of Armenia noted that during more than 70 years of the Soviet Union, the people of Nagorno Karabakh strived for freedom, independence, declared it in 1991, and then won the first Karabakh war provoked by Azerbaijan in 1994.

TUMO Announces $50 Million "TUMO Armenia" Campaign To Extend Its Learning Network Nationwide

Sept 18 2021

NEWS PROVIDED BY

TUMO 

Sep 18, 2021, 03:30 ET

YEREVAN, ArmeniaSept. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Marking TUMO’s 10 year anniversary and the inauguration of the new TUMO Gyumri building, the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies today announced a five year, $50 million initiative to make its leading edge educational program available to all teenagers throughout Armenia and Artsakh. With 110 satellite facilities called TUMO Boxes connected to 16 fully equipped TUMO Hubs in regional centers, the program will serve 80 thousand students and reach all young Armenians even in the most remote villages.

$10 million seed fund donated by the Yemenidjian family will launch and support hubs in Vanadzor, Kapan and Koghb, along with TUMO Boxes that feed into these and three existing hubs. To raise the remaining $40 million, TUMO is kicking off an international fundraising campaign. The Armenian General Benevolent Union and Elie & Elzbieta Akilian have each pledged to match up to $10 million of funds raised in the first 2 years of the campaign. With $10 million in seed funding, a $20 million fundraising goal, and an additional $20 million in matching contributions, the deployment initiative is already underway.

The announcement was made during the anniversary celebration of the official opening of the new TUMO center in Gyumri in the presence of government representatives, partners and friends. TUMO founders Sam and Sylva Simonian joined via live video and gave opening remarks.

“Our vision has always been to empower all young Armenians to achieve their full potential,” said Sam Simonian. “And now we are setting out to fulfill that vision throughout Armenia and Artsakh.”

Also attending were Armen Yemenidjian, representing the Yemenidjian family, Vasken Yacoubian and Vera Setrakian on behalf of AGBU, Elie Akilian, on behalf of Elie & Elzbieta Akilian, via video feed, and TUMO CEO Marie Lou Papazian.

“My family is extremely excited and proud to be a part of this vital initiative to arm the next generation of Armenians with the tools necessary to compete in the global technology marketplace, no matter where they live in Armenia,” said Armen Yemenidjian. “We hope this initiative encourages our Armenian brothers and sisters in the diaspora to invest in the future leaders of our country and economy.”

“AGBU has supported the incredible mission and vision of TUMO since its expansion in Armenia and Artsakh, and this gift will solidify a partnership to benefit Armenian children for generations to come. It is an honor to be able to strengthen the relationship between TUMO, AGBU, and students and their families. I also wanted to thank the other generous donors who will be joining this important campaign,” said Dr. Eric Esrailian on behalf of the AGBU Council of Trustees and Central Board of Directors.

Donations in the United States are tax deductible, and can be made in the form of one time or recurring contributions to the general project or earmarked to specific hubs or boxes through https://armenia.tumo.org/.

More information about TUMO can be found in the electronic press kit.

About TUMO
TUMO Center for Creative Technologies is a free-of-charge education platform that puts teenagers in charge of their own learning. The TUMO program is made up of self-learning activities, workshops and project labs that cover a wide range of focus areas at the intersection of technology and design, including computer programming, animation, game development, music, robotics, 3D modeling, writing, filmmaking, graphic design and more. Over 20 thousand students currently attend TUMO centers in Armenia on a regular basis. In recent years, TUMO centers have also opened in ParisMoscow, Tirana, Berlin and Beirut, with additional centers expected to open in LyonLos AngelesLisbonMilanTashkent and Seoul. Licensing revenues from international locations contribute to the long term sustainability of TUMO in Armenia and Artsakh.

SOURCE TUMO

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tumo-announces-50-million-tumo-armenia-campaign-to-extend-its-learning-network-nationwide-301379828.html

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Also at

https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/TUMO+Announces+%2450+Million+%26quot%3BTUMO+Armenia%26quot%3B+Campaign+To+Extend+Its+Learning+Network+Nationwide/18955630.html

https://newsnationusa.com/news/finance/banking/tumo-announces-50-million-tumo-armenia-campaign-to-extend-its-learning-network-nationwide/

Masked and armed Azerbaijani servicemen stop bus with Armenian children, check the phones – Ombudsman

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 17 2021

Masked Azerbaijani servicemen legally stopped a bus with Armenian children on Vorotan road, Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan reports.

The Ombudsman has shared footage showing Azerbaijani servicemen, armed and masked, checking children’s phones under the pretext of finding some videos.

The teens aged 15-16 were football players from Artsakh traveling to Armenia.

“The children’s bus was kept for 10-15 minutes. During that time, the Artsakh flag was scraped off the bus with a knife. Azerbaijani sources are proudly sharing the video. But the issue here is the behavior of the Azerbaijani armed forces aimed at intimidating the children and openly terrifying them,” Tatoyan said.

According to him, the video widely shared on Azerbaijani social networks is accompanied by brazen insults to children, calls to kill Armenians, and deep hatred.

“All this is the result of years of Azerbaijan’s state-sponsored anti-Armenian policy. We have documented the evidence,” the Human Rights Defender said.

Watch the video at the link below