Category: 2022

One for the Records: USC Researchers Document the Armenian Experience in Mobile Truck

Chakhmakhchian Vatche
NBC Los Angeles

With Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on Sunday, April 24, LA’s Armenian-American community has about a million stories to tell.

And one team of USC researchers wants to record as many of them as possible.

To get the first-hand accounts, they’re gone mobile, documenting testimony in a renovated yellow food truck.

“We say, ‘Get in the truck and tell your story,'” said Shushan Karapetian, the deputy director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies.

Their ride, a repurposed yellow taco truck, allows them to reach various local Armenians and record their stories on the go.

“They say, ‘My story? I’m not a community leader,'” said Karapetian.

But she says no story — no matter how small — is insignificant.

With Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on Sunday, April 24, LA’s Armenian-American community has about a million stories to tell.

And one team of USC researchers wants to record as many of them as possible.

To get the first-hand accounts, they’re gone mobile, documenting testimony in a renovated yellow food truck.

“We say, ‘Get in the truck and tell your story,'” said Shushan Karapetian, the deputy director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies.

Their ride, a repurposed yellow taco truck, allows them to reach various local Armenians and record their stories on the go.

“They say, ‘My story? I’m not a community leader,'” said Karapetian.

But she says no story — no matter how small — is insignificant.

President Biden Apologizes for Recognizing a Genocide Only to Allow Another to Continue | Opinion

Badalian Vardan
 by Jeff Salle
 

“Every year on this day, we commemorate the lives of all those who perished in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and renew our commitment to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.”

Last year, President Joe Biden said this in a statement commemorating Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, which is observed on April 24 and commemorates the deportation of Armenian intellectuals from Constantinople, which marked the start of the twentieth century’s first genocide.

President Biden kept his cаmpаign promise to hold Turkey аccountаble for the mаss killings of more thаn 1.5 million Armeniаns, Assyriаns, аnd Greeks during the Ottomаn Empire’s finаl dаys by officiаlly аcknowledging the Armeniаn genocide. While Armeniаn Americаns аpplаuded President Biden’s historic аnd long-overdue stаtement, the spirit of it wаs short-lived, аs President Biden mаde а decision before the ink wаs dry thаt hаd fаr-reаching consequences аnd is costing Armeniаn lives. Dаys аfter recognizing the Armeniаn genocide, he wаived Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which prohibits foreign аid to Azerbаijаn, which wаs а foreshаdowing of things to come.

In mаny wаys, Biden recognized а genocide before аllowing аnother to occur.

To fully comprehend why Armeniаn Americаns feel betrаyed by President Biden despite his historic stаtement, it is necessаry to exаmine the dispаrity in U.S. immigrаtion policy. Following Bаku’s unprovoked wаr аgаinst Armeniаns living in Nаgorno-Kаrаbаkh, аlso known аs Artsаkh to Armeniаns, in 2020, relаtions between Armeniа аnd Azerbаijаn hаve deteriorаted.

The 2020 Nаgorno-Kаrаbаkh wаr served аs а stаrk reminder for Armeniаn Americаns of the Armeniаn genocide аnd how the world continues to ignore their suffering. Azerbаijаn lаunched аn unjustified wаr with Turkey in аn аttempt to expel ethnic Armeniаns from Nаgorno-Kаrаbаkh, while аlso wаging а long-term cаmpаign to erаse Armeniаn history аnd culture in the region by defаcing аnd demolishing centuries-old churches, monаsteries, аnd cemeteries.

Azerbаijаn used bаllistic missiles аnd cluster munitions to bomb civiliаn-populаted аreаs аnd а mаternity hospitаl in Stepаnаkert, the cаpitаl of Artsаkh, in violаtion of аll conventionаl wаrfаre norms.

Azerbаijаn аlso used chemicаl weаpons, including white phosphorous munitions, on civiliаn-populаted аreаs, in cleаr violаtion of internаtionаl humаnitаriаn lаw, including the Genevа Conventions аnd the Chemicаl Weаpons Convention, both of which Azerbаijаn is а signаtory to.

There is аlso video evidence of Azeri troops hаrаssing аnd intimidаting Armeniаn civiliаns, including two elderly men who were beheаded by Azeri forces for refusing to leаve their villаges.

President Biden hаs done nothing despite these аtrocities being on displаy for the entire world to see. In fаct, by requesting $164 million in US аid for Azerbаijаn’s wаr crimes, he hаs doubled down on his cаsuаl аttitude towаrd the country’s аtrocities. While the White House proposes а 47 percent cut in U.S. militаry аid to Bаku in fiscаl yeаr 2023, it аlso proposes а 47 percent cut in U.S. Armeniа will receive $24 million in аid, while Artsаkh will receive no money.

For а president who cаmpаigned on the promise of putting humаn rights аt the forefront of his foreign policy, the lаtest budget proposаl runs counter to those promises. Let’s tаke а closer look аt the detаils. Azerbаijаn, which аppeаrs on а slew of humаn rights lists, does not disаppoint. Humаn Rights Wаtch dubbed Azerbаijаn’s humаn rights situаtion “аppаlling” in 2019 аnd аccused the country of аbusing аnd torturing Armeniаn POWs by subjecting them to cruel аnd unusuаl punishment during the 2020 conflict. Azerbаijаn is rаnked 167th out of 180 countries in the Press Freedom Index, аccording to Reporters Without Borders. In аddition, the United Stаtes of Americа will releаse а report in 2020. The Stаte Depаrtment аccused Bаku of а slew of humаn rights violаtions, including “unlаwful or аrbitrаry killings” аnd “heаvy restrictions on free _expression_, the press, аnd the internet,” аccording to the Stаte Depаrtment.

Giving foreign аid to despots like Azerbаijаn’s President Ilhаm Aliyev sends the wrong messаge to the rest of the world.

Whаt’s more аlаrming is thаt President Biden’s new budget proposаl comes аt а time when Azerbаijаn is still violаting the ceаse-fire аgreement with Armeniа аnd is using the Ukrаine conflict аs а distrаction to foment new hostilities in the region аnd rаise tensions аlong the Armeniа-Azerbаijаn border. Azerbаijаn hаs been firing on Armeniаn villаges аnd reports of renewed gunfire with Armeniаn cаsuаlties in recent weeks, escаlаting the violence.

Azerbаijаn, not to be outdone, cut off аll gаs аnd electricity to Armeniаns in Nаgorno-Kаrаbаkh, leаving over 100,000 people without heаt in subzero temperаtures.

Azerbаijаn’s true colors аnd intentions аre reveаled by its use of intimidаtion tаctics to terrorize Armeniаns in Nаgorno-Kаrаbаkh. Despite their аctions, the White House remаins deаfeningly silent.

But it’s not too lаte.

On the internаtionаl stаge, President Biden hаs demonstrаted the courаge to confront bullies. Biden still hаs time to chаnge course when deаling with Azerbаijаn аnd its petro-dictаtor, whether it’s cаlling Russiаn President Vlаdimir Putin а “wаr criminаl” or rejecting President Recep Tаyyip Erdogаn’s deniаl of the Armeniаn genocide. If Biden truly wаnts to honor the Armeniаn genocide victims аnd prevent аnother genocide from occurring, he’ll do the right thing аnd uphold Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.

Stephаn Pechdimаldji lives in the Sаn Frаncisco Bаy Areа аnd works аs а communicаtions strаtegist. He is the grаndson of survivors of the Armeniаn genocide аnd is а first-generаtion Armeniаn Americаn.

The аuthor’s opinions аre his or her own in this аrticle.

https://www.cengnews.com/news/president-biden-apologizes-for-recognizing-a-genocide-only-to-allow-another-to-continue-opinion-421718.html 

Expert: Armenian Genocide issue has long been closed for current Armenian authorities

Babken Chilingarian
Panorama
Armenia –

Armenia and the Diaspora have been working hard for years towards international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. For years Armenia has consistently promoted the agenda of preventing the crime of genocide. In 2015, through Armenia’s efforts, December 9 was added to the list of UN International Days as International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. However, since 2018, according to expert on Turkey Varuzhan Geghamyan, Armenia has not dealt with the issue of the Armenian Genocide at all.

Panorama.am spoke with Varuzhan Geghamyan about the Armenian authorities’ steps towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide over the past year, the main message of April 24, the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, this year as well as the basic steps that should be taken in case of the formation of a pro-Armenian government.

Panorama.am: How would you assess the steps taken by the Armenian authorities towards the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide from April 24, 2021 to date, that is, over the past year?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a positive assessment to the efforts of the Armenian leadership and the international community towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide due to only one circumstance: the Armenian state, which has always been in the forefront of this struggle, its coordinator and organizer, has essentially abandoned it, considering it not only ineffective, but also not in the interests of the Armenian people.

Moreover, there are now attempts on the part of Armenia’s de facto leadership to rewrite history by saying that Armenia has never acted as a state institution in this matter, and the Armenian cause has been dealt with exclusively by the Armenian Diaspora, particularly by some Diaspora organizations.

This is also a distortion of the historical record by the de facto authorities in Armenia, an anti-Armenian statement, because it essentially echoes the Turkish propaganda thesis which have existed since the 1960s that if it were not for the Diaspora, Armenia and Turkey would live peacefully side by side, but some “Diaspora nationalists” undermine Armenian-Turkish relations by raising, in their words, the artificial issue of genocide, etc. This is an indirect repetition of this propaganda thesis of Ankara. Moreover, it runs counter to the basic law of Armenia, because the Constitution of Armenia is based on the Declaration of Independence, and one of its most important provisions is about the commitment to be consistent in the recognition and condemnation of the 1915 Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia.

Thus, it’s against Armenian interests in every way. Naturally, as a result of this policy we can’t make any progress in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The only noteworthy episode last year was the U.S. president’s use of the word “genocide”, which had no legal effect because amid Armenia’s failure to deal with the Armenian Genocide issue at all, this move essentially amounts to nothing. Meanwhile, it could have been used to step up pressure on Turkey and could have become an important tool in our foreign policy.

Panorama.am: What will make April 24 stand out this year, what will be its message?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: This year’s commemorative events, the events preceding and following them, will most likely send one clear message: at this point, we are on the threshold of opening the era of genocidal threats, in order to prevent such a scenario, we must remember how and why the Armenian Genocide, the numerous massacres and other crimes against the Armenian people up to and including what happened in Artsakh and Syunik in recent years and months, were committed.

Identifying this as part of the genocidal program will enable the Armenian society and various Armenian groups to rethink the ongoing processes, to overcome the stupor and manipulation by the current authorities and to be able to respond adequately to the current threats. This is the message.

Unfortunately, the capitulant authorities will do nothing about it, since the issue of the Armenian Genocide has long been closed for them. In the best-case scenario, we can see only some standard statements without any political message, only pathetics and no coherent policy at the state level aimed at addressing such acute issues.

I do not think that any action should be expected from any state institution. At the same time, all Armenian groups and organizations catering for the interests of the Armenian people must make April 24 of this year one of the most important symbolic days, during which messages must be conveyed to the widest possible audience that will enable the people to get out from under the manipulations of the capitulant authorities.

Panorama.am: What will Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide give us? Is that our end goal?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: I think that the ultimate goal is not Turkey’s recognition [of the Genocide]. The end goal has always been to prevent the crime of genocide against us. And one of the best ways to achieve this is for Turkey to recognize it and take appropriate steps to make amends.

The Genocide recognition by Turkey is only one way to achieve the main goal, so I believe it would allow us to create an additional mechanism to prevent such a crime. Amid its absence, we see the continuation of genocidal actions under peaceful slogans – from beheadings of people in Artsakh to torture of Armenian prisoners of war, which did not take place 100 years ago like the Armenian Genocide, but right now, before our eyes.

Panorama.am: If we have a government that takes Armenia’s interests into account, what should be its first steps towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: First and foremost, the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide as well as our pioneering role in preventing the crime of genocide should be made a part of the state policy. We had that role, but since 2018 it has virtually been non-existent, now it no longer exists de jure either. After this step, it is necessary to review the previous experience of struggle, i.e. to record the positive sides, failures, and in accordance with that to build a completely new, clear-cut policy, which must be all-embracing, because the issue of the Armenian Genocide is of national importance, directly concerns the identity of the Diaspora and its preservation. Therefore, all of this really should be in the focus of state attention, because Armenia is also responsible for the Diaspora. In this regard, the need for a state policy on the matter is once again emphasized.

Of course, these three steps should be combined with a broader political program, a concept to be adopted by the national government to neutralize the threats facing the Armenian states, Armenia and Artsakh, to set new national goals and achieve them. In other words, there should be a general picture of what we are going to do to restore the security system, the territorial integrity of Artsakh and Armenia, and how the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide should be used in this context. Only in case of adopting such an approach will we succeed.

Human Rights Defender of Armenia: Impunity creates and justifies new crimes

Eduard Nalbandian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Alina Hovhannisyan

ArmInfo. Tomorrow is the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, but justice has not still been restored.  This is stated in the statement of Human Rights Defender  of Armenia Kristina Grigoryan on the occasion of the 107th  anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

“The rights of murdered and mutilated men, women and elderly,  orphaned children, of Armenians forcibly displaced from their homes,  and of people who have been subjected to inhuman, degrading treatment  and punishment due to their ethnicity and religion have not been  restored. Many of them died, carrying all those brutal scenes in  front of their eyes, they died missing their relatives and homeland,  expecting that at least future generations would witness the  restoration of justice.

The denial policy of indisputable events, which Turkey has been  conducting for more than a century, continues to challenge the  effective implementation of international law aimed at establishing  universal norms for the condemnation, prevention and prosecution of  crimes against humanity.

Efforts to establish and improve human rights, the rule of law, and  universal international mechanisms for justice newly promoted after  World War I continue to be overshadowed by this condemnable policy of  Turkey.

Impunity creates and justifies new crimes.

Unfortunately, the dangers of genocidal policy based on ethnic and  religious hatred has not disappeared for our people. The gravest and  most recent evidence is the documented Azerbaijani-Turkish joint  crimes against ethnic Armenians during the 2020 war. The  state-sponsored propaganda of ethnic and religious hatred and the  criminal acts are still carried out by Azerbaijani state against the  Armenians of Artsakh, aiming to annihilate Artsakh from its native  people, destroy the monuments and samples of the centuries- old  Armenian culture, erase the Armenian traces, to make impossible the  life of Armenians in their homeland.

Today we pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the  Armenian Genocide, reaffirming that condemnation of crime, punishment  of the guilty, and restoration of justice can prevent future crimes,”  the statement reads.  

Arman Tatoyan: Political interests and maintaining a position are once again take a priority over the security of Armenia and Artsakh

Jirair Kafian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Alina Hovhannisyan

ArmInfo. Political interests and maintaining a position are once again take a priority over the security of Armenia and Artsakh. Ex-Ombudsman of Armenia Arman  Tatoyan wrote on his Facebook page.

Referring to the speech of Nikol Pashinyan on April 14 in the  National Assembly, Tatoyan stressed: “The head of government noted  that, “if we go the other way, we will surrender Karabakh, the  incidents of  Parukh are a good example, piece by piece.”. It is  obvious that this was done in order to soften the discontent of the  society and justify the invasion of the Azerbaijanis in Parukh”.

The former Ombudsman said that what happened in Khramort and Parukh  is the result of the destructive political idea put forward by the  Prime Minister about the “equal withdrawal of troops”. In his  opinion, this speech by Nikol Pashinyan is an attempt to mislead the  public, to hide the catastrophic consequences of his approach to the  equal withdrawal of troops and to prevent the dissatisfaction of  citizens in the event of such possible developments in the future. 

France-Artsakh Friendship Circle: France must recognize the Republic of Artsakh on the basis of international law

Boris Nahapetian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Alina Hovhannisyan

ArmInfo.Armenians of the Ottoman Empire annihilated by the authorities of their own state amid the indifference of the international community.

This is stated in the statement of the France-Artsakh Friendship Circle on the occasion  of the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in  1915, the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry  of Foreign Affairs of the Artsakh Republic reports.

According to the source, the France-Artsakh Friendship Circle  reaffirmed its unshakable support to the citizens of Artsakh and  commitment to recognizing the democratic state they have built over  30 years.

The statement says that as a result of the war unleashed by  Azerbaijan in September 2020, a significant part of Artsakh was  occupied, and Azerbaijan, under the leadership of its ally Turkey, is  pursuing an anti- Armenian racist policy at the highest level.

“The France-Artsakh Friendship Circle believes that after  Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh and the crimes of the Baku  regime, France, which is the co-chairing country of the OSCE Minsk  Group, should immediately abandon its fruitless neutral policy and  recognize the Republic of Artsakh on the basis of international law,”  the message says.

​Statement by President Joe Biden on Armenian Remembrance Day

Chatinian Lara

BRIEFING ROOM

Statement by President Joe Biden on Armenian Remembrance Day

APRIL 24, 2022•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

On April 24, 1915, Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. Thus began the Armenian genocide—one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century. Today, we remember the one and a half million Armenians who were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in a campaign of extermination, and mourn the tragic loss of so many lives.

As we reflect on the Armenian genocide, we renew our pledge to remain vigilant against the corrosive influence of hate in all its forms. We recommit ourselves to speaking out and stopping atrocities that leave lasting scars on the world. And, as we mourn what was lost during the Meds Yeghern, let us redouble our efforts toward healing and building the better, more peaceful world that we wish for our children. A world where human rights are respected, where the evils of bigotry and intolerance do not mark our daily lives, and where people everywhere are free to pursue their lives in dignity and security.

This is also a moment to reflect on the strength and resiliency of the Armenian people. After enduring a genocide, the Armenian people were determined to rebuild their community and their culture, so often in new homes and new lands, including the United States. Armenian Americans are a vital part of the fabric of the United States. They make our nation stronger and more dynamic, even as they continue to carry with them the tragic knowledge of what their ancestors endured. We recognize their pain and honor their story.

Today, 107 years later, the American people continue to honor all Armenians who perished in the genocide.

Statement by the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Armenian Genocide Memorial Day

Emil Lazarian
Office of the Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau



Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, also known as Medz Yeghern:

“Today, we join Armenian communities in Canada and around the world to honour the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide – one of the darkest chapters in human history. We also honour their descendants, including Canadians of Armenian heritage, who have contributed and who continue to help shape the strong, diverse, and inclusive country that we enjoy today.

“The atrocities committed and the horrific number of lives that were taken from 1915 to 1923 must never be forgotten. In 2015, a century after the start of this tragedy, Parliament passed a motion declaring April 24 as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, a date that has since served to remember the loss, trauma, and pain inflicted by these atrocities and to ensure they are never repeated. This day falls during Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month.

“Hatred and violence must never again be met with indifference. Each and every one of us has a role to play in making sure such brutality is never repeated, and it starts with taking a stand against discrimination and hate in all its forms – whenever and wherever it occurs.

“Together, on this sombre anniversary, we remember the lives lost, recognize the strength and spirit of the Armenian people, and look forward with hope to a future of peace, mutual respect, and dignity among people and countries around the world.”



Traditional torchlight march in memory of victims of Armenian Genocide started in Yerevan

Maral Takmazian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Alina Hovhannisyan

ArmInfo.The traditional torchlight march in memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 started from the  Republic Square in Yerevan. Thousands of participants in the march,  which this year is held under the slogan “Zartnir, lao!” (Wake up, my  son>) with torches and flags, went to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial  complex.

The traditional march in memory of the victims began at 19:15, which  symbolizes the year of massacres of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey. The  organizers of the march are the Armenian Youth Union of the ARF  Dashnaktsutyun and the Student Union of the ARF “Nikol Agbalyan”. A  message spread a few days earlier by the organizers said: “The  torchlight march is a symbol of our rebirth, our just struggle and  unity. This year it is even more important. The Armenian people,  Armenia and Artsakh are going through the most difficult times in  their history.

By participating in the march, we will show the world  that we are the owner of our Homeland, that we will not tolerate  denial, betrayal. ” It should be noted that the 2nd and 3rd  Presidents of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, confirmed  their participation in the torchlight march a few days earlier.   Today, a torchlight march in memory of the victims of the Armenian  Genocide was also held in Aleppo. An march was held in Israel near  the Turkish Embassy, the participants of which condemned Turkey for  denying the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide and the latter’s  participation in the Artsakh war of 2020.

According to the Chancellery of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,  on April 24 at 10:30 a.m., a liturgy to commemorate the victims of  the Armenian Genocide will be held at the Church of St. Gayane in  Etchmiadzin.

The Torchlight March in Armenia in memory of the victims of the  Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 has been running  since 2000.

Artsakh incumbent and 2 ex-Presidents participating in torchlight procession in Stepanakert

Chatinian Lara
NEWS.am
Armenia –

A torchlight procession—on the eve of the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide—is taking place also in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) at the moment, in the capital Stepanakert.

The torchlight procession in Artsakh started from the yard of St. Hakob Church in Stepanakert, the torchlight procession is being led by the clergy who are carrying a large cross and the national flag of Artsakh.

Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former presidents Bako Sahakyan and Arkadi Ghukasyan are also taking part in this torchlight procession.

As reported earlier, a similar torchlight procession is being held in Armenia’s capital Yerevan as well. Thousands of people, including second and third Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, are participating in this torchlight procession.