Category: 2023

Ruling party lawmaker in favor of ratifying Rome Statute

Liana Toganian

 17:03, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Member of Parliament Sargis Khandanyan representing the ruling Civil Contract party has said that parliament ought to ratify the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Khandanyan, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that the Rome Statute has been sent to parliament and it must pass through discussions in the faction and the relevant committee within defined timeframes. “As of this moment, there are no reservations in the version sent to parliament. I believe that,indeed, it must be ratified,” Khandanyan told reporters.

He dismissed Moscow’s concerns and request to clarify the move.

“I don’t know what kind of questions they’ve asked Armenia and I don’t know whether or not they’ve already received the answers. Nonetheless, I reiterate that joining such treaties is the sovereign right of Armenia and there’s no need to make clarifications. If you read the Statute, you’d see it addressing a number of war crimes, such as the ones taking place during the Azerbaijani aggressions in the territory of Armenia during the past two years. Besides, the Statute addresses genocide as a crime, and I think that Armenia, as a country of descendants of genocide, is morally bound to join this mechanism,” Khandanyan said.

The Armenian government on September 1 sent the Rome Statute to parliament for ratification.

In 2022, the Pashinyan Administration explained that it seeks to join the Rome Statute because it would allow to hold the government of Azerbaijan to account for its aggressions against Armenia.

On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, after an investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine.

The ICC arrest warrant for Putin accuses the Russian leader of unlawfully deporting thousands of Ukrainian children, a war crime.

This has been denied by the Russian government.

Countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute would have to enforce the arrest warrant once Putin travels into their territory.

Armenia’s first indigenous satellite to be launched into orbit on SpaceX Falcon 9

Hambik Zargarian

 16:28, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The first Armenian indigenous CubeSat satellite will be sent into orbit in November.

The CubeSat, named Hayasat-1, is being developed by Bazoomq, a non-profit space research lab based in Yerevan, Armenia.

Bazoomq Space Research Lab’s mission is to establish and continuously develop capabilities and skills for cutting-edge space research, education and startups in and for Armenia.

Bazoomq Co-founder, board member & CTO Hayk Martirosyan told ARMENPRESS tech correspondent Karine Terteryan that Hayasat-1’s testing will be completed in September and the satellite will be launched into space on board the Space X Falcon 9 in late November.

Hayasat-1 is being developed jointly with the CSIE – Center for Scientific Innovation and Education. The satellite has educational purposes. “After the launch we will gain huge knowledge, experience that we can use in the future in sending more sophisticated satellites into space,” Martirosyan said.

Hayasat-1, weighing around a kilo, will orbit Earth every 90 minutes.

“Our objective is to pass through all the processes, the assembly, the testing, paperwork and cooperation with the agencies. In terms of application, the satellite won’t give us much, it doesn’t have optical or communication systems. We consider it to be an educational tool. In six months we’ll be able to say that the device made in Armenia passed testing in space and meets international standards. Then we can make any change we like with the satellite, and upgrade it to solve many tasks,” Martirosyan added.


Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 07-09-23

Ara Felekian

 17:07, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, 7 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 7 September, USD exchange rate down by 0.15 drams to 385.68 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.43 drams to 412.95 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 3.92 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.70 drams to 480.44 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 59.50 drams to 23833.23 drams. Silver price down by 0.98 drams to 291.09 drams.

Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan and expects the same from Azerbaijan – Foreign Ministry statement

Emil Lazarian

 18:02, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the statement by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on September 7 after the Cabinet meeting.

“Regarding the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan after the speech of Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan at the meeting of the Government of Armenia on September 7, 2023, we consider it necessary to emphasise the following.

“Azerbaijani users of social networks and media themselves published information regarding the accumulation of Azerbaijani troops near the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is confirmed by information from other sources as well.

“In the above-mentioned speech, the Prime Minister of Armenia stated that Armenia is committed to the agreements reached on October 6, 2022 in Prague, October 31, 2022 in Sochi and May 14, 2023 in Brussels, which confirmed the mutual unconditional recognition by Armenia and Azerbaijan of each other's territorial integrity. Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan and expects the same from Azerbaijan, which has not yet publicly confirmed its commitment to these agreements.

“Armenia is not interested in military escalation, it is now proposing mechanisms to exclude such risks, as it did previously, but until now has not yet received answers. Armenia is ready to discuss the introduction of other effective mechanisms as well.

“Armenia is ready to continue making active efforts to complete the work on the draft of the agreement on peace and normalization of relations with Azerbaijan and sign it as soon as possible. 

“Armenia is dedicated and remains committed to the agenda of peace and stability in the South Caucasus, while emphasising the need for similar rhetoric and practical signals from official Baku.

“It is obvious that the blockade of the Lachin corridor, the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and the absence of Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under an international mechanism do not contribute to the improvement of the atmosphere in the region.”

CSTO has seemingly washed its hands of Armenia and withdrawn – lawmaker

Emil Lazarian

 17:14, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. At this moment Armenia is not discussing withdrawing from the CSTO, MP Sargis Khandanyan representing the ruling Civil Contract party said Thursday when asked whether or not the Armenian authorities consider quitting the military bloc.

“It seems like it’s the CSTO itself that has washed its hands of Armenia and is withdrawing. The technical aspects and processes are a matter of additional discussions. A complex discussion should take place on the right time, moment and consequences,” Khandanyan, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Relations, told reporters.

Khandanyan said Armenia is open to cooperate with other partners in security and defense.

Asked on a possible prospect of replacing the CSTO with another system, the MP said, “How can the CSTO be replaced if the CSTO is displaying inaction towards Armenia? We don’t want to cooperate with the kind of a mechanism that would again display inaction.”

Armenian Prime Minister’s spouse donates over 1,200 gadgets to Ukrainian schoolchildren

Boris Nahapetian

 19:22, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s wife Anna Hakobyan has donated more than 1,200 gadgets to Ukrainian schoolchildren, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science and Armenian children, the Armenian Embassy in Ukraine said in a statement.

The President of the Armenian Youth Union of Ukraine, Arman Hakobyan, was present at the meeting with the First Lady. On behalf of the Armenian youth and the Union of Armenians of Ukraine, Arman Hakobyan expressed gratitude to the Spouse of the Armenian Prime Minister for her important visit to Ukraine.




Armenpress: Armenian Foreign Minister meets with Emirati counterpart in Abu Dhabi

Tania Jagharian

 21:53, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan on September 7 met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

FM Mirzoyan and his Emirati counterpart commended the strong and dynamically developing cooperation during the 25 years of diplomatic relations based on the traditionally warm ties between the two friendly nations, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

Mirzoyan underscored that the UAE is one of the important partners for Armenia in the region and expressed readiness to continue the mutually-beneficial dialogue in various areas through joint efforts.

Speaking about enhancing political dialogue and sustainable progress of cooperation, the ministers attached importance to carrying out mutual high-level visits and regular consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

In the context of further intensifying trade-economic ties and implementing various investment projects, the importance of the effective activities of the Armenian-Emirati Intergovernmental Commission was noted.

The FMs also emphasized that the weekly 30 flights between the two countries are significantly contributing to the intensification of business ties, tourism, cultural and decentralized cooperation. In this regard, the ministers commended the upcoming Armenia-UAE Business Forum in Yerevan.

The areas of high technologies, digitization, cybersecurity and innovation were pointed out as promising directions for partnership. The inclusion of new areas of interest in the bilateral agenda was also discussed.

Issues of regional and international importance were also addressed.

FM Mirzoyan briefed the UAE Foreign Minister on the current security situation in the South Caucasus and Armenia’s vision to achieve peace and stability in the region.

Speaking about the ongoing, nine-month-long blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, FM Mirzoyan underscored that Nagorno-Karabakh’s population of 120,000 is facing grave humanitarian challenges incompatible with dignified life, which can cause irreversible consequences. FM Mirzoyan underscored the need for the implementation by Azerbaijan of the ICJ rulings.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.

Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.




EU monitoring mission in Armenia increases patrolling activity on border with Azerbaijan in Gegharkunik and Syunik

Rose Khoyetsian

 19:56, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The EU monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA) announced Thursday that it has increased its patrolling activity on the border with Azerbaijan in the Gegharkunik and Syunik Provinces to observe any military developments.

“EUMA increased its patrolling activity – among others – in Armenia-Azerbaijan border areas of Gegharkunik & Syunik Provinces to observe any military developments. Through our presence on the ground, we aim to contribute to calming tensions & EU impartial reporting on the situation,” EUMA said in a post on X.

Asbarez: Commemorations of the Musa Dagh Resistance between the Two World Wars

Emma Jilavian
by Contributor

 

 September 7, 2023

 

in Latest, News, Top Stories

In a rare photo discovered at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute, Armenian are rushing to board French boats in Musa Dagh in 1915


BY DR. VAHRAM L. SHEMMASSIAN

The first anniversary of the Musa Dagh resistance to the Genocide was marked in 1916 at the Armenian refugee camp of Port Said, Egypt, which was established the year before to shelter the Armenian highlanders from Musa Dagh after their rescue by the French navy. When the refugees returned home by fall 1919, regional insecurity prevented them from marking the saga with public grandeur till 1924. Each year thereafter, through 1938, commemorative events took place at Damlajik, where a pile of rocks had served as a makeshift altar during the actual fights. For about eight years Holy Mass was celebrated at this site, and requiem for the repose of those who had fallen on the battlefield was conducted in a nearby plot, where wooden crosses were stuck into the ground. But in 1932, this temporary arrangement was replaced with a more fitting, fenced graveyard that included 18 tombstones, each inscribed with the name of a fallen fighter.

The celebrants, including natives and visitors from Aleppo, Beirut, Egypt and elsewhere alike, congregated at Damlajik from Saturday till Sunday afternoon, making their way on foot from the villages below in several hours through difficult terrain. Upon arrival, they pitched tents or stayed in the open, hoisted the Armenian and French tricolors, and indulged themselves in feasting, launching fireworks, singing, dancing, reciting poetry, and reminiscing myriad details pertaining to the resistance. Sunday morning was reserved for the official program consisting of liturgy, requiem, and speeches by Armenian and French dignitaries. The organizers similarly sent telegrams to the French Minister of the Marine and the High Commissioner of Syria and Lebanon to express their appreciation and gratitude for the French goodwill vis-à-vis the Armenians of Musa Dagh.

In 1924, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Musa Dagh decided to erect a memorial monument and accordingly formed a committee chaired by Sarkis Tosunian, a party member, resistance fighter, and veteran of the Légion d’Orient. However, the project remained unrealized for the next eight years for lack of funds.

In September 1930, on the 15th anniversary of the resistance, Paul Baurain, a French teacher in Aleppo, delivered an impassioned speech at Damlajik. Afterwards, his wife recited a seven-verse poem written by him while in Bitias, one of the six Armenian villages of Musa Dagh. Titled “The Mountain and the Sea,” it said, in order “to win the battle” the Armenians had two allies: the mountain and the Mediterranean Sea, aided by French battleships and the Tricolor. The poem then proclaimed: “Djébel Moussa! Your name has entered history.” Madame Baurain hoped that with her husband’s address emanating “from the heart” as well as the poem she delivered, people would now contribute to the monument fund.  

This appeal must have been in sync with a fund-raising drive launched in France. On July 1, 1931, Charles-Diran Tekeian – who in 1915 was a 28-year-old 2nd Class Auxiliary Officer-Interpreter on the French warship “Desaix” and had participated in the Musa Dagh rescue operations – announced in the French-Armenian monthly “Le Foyer” that the people of Musa Dagh had asked him “to one more time become their spokesperson and their advocate” in opening a “subscription,” which would make Musa Dagh “the first page of a new history of the regenerated Armenian Rupenids and Latin Lusignans [royal dynasties of Cilicia].” The highlanders would thus “be able to think about the sacrifices of their elders and the peasant priests will thank God in his house [i.e., church], their saviors [the French] and our subscribers [i.e., donors] forever and ever.”

A month later, on August 1, Tekeian published another article informing the public of the formation of a “committee of honor and of patronage” composed of prominent personalities such as General Edouard Brémond; Viscount Benoit-d’Azy, ex-commander of the French battleship “Jauréguiberry”; Captain Edouard-Alphonse Vergos of the “Desaix;” writer, journalist and political activist Arshag Chobanian; Dikran Gamsaragan of the Armenian General Benevolent Union; and Tekeian as treasurer. Their “work had nothing to do with politics; it had but one goal: to perpetuate the memory of the rescue of Musa Dagh Armenians by the French squadron [of the 3rd Mediterranean Fleet] and pay a debt of acknowledgement to the memory of those brave peasants.” The lists of persons opening their pockets “will be sealed under the rock of Mount Moussa itself, and souvenirs of the local industry will be distributed to those of our friends who will assist us most actively.” Tekeian also indicated that, even before the official launching of the fund-raising campaign, he had received a total of 2,930 French francs from nineteen individuals, including the sum of 1,000 francs from an anonymous sponsor living in Lausanne, Switzerland.  The first list of subsequent donors would be published in the press on August 30, 1931, and the solicitation would end in October.  But on October 1, another appeal was made to have a larger pool of participants. Chobanian, in turn, published articles in the “Abaka” (Future) paper with the same goal. Musa Dagh immigrants in the United States also joined the effort.

Although a final count of the moneys collected is not readily known, the project, based on a design drafted by architect Mardiros Altunian and under the supervision of builder Haig Kelenderian, finally materialized after a year. The 17th anniversary celebrations took place on Sunday, September 18, 1932 with pomp and circumstance as the new monument was consecrated.  From one perspective, it resembled one of the French frigates that had participated in the 1915 rescue operations. From a different angle, it represented and served as a church altar. There was an inscribed marble plaque under each of the two small domes.  Both expressed gratitude to the French for delivering the Armenians from certain death. 

The inauguration began with the “Marseillaise,” after which Movses Der Kalusdian, a local and regional ARF leader, thanked and praised “magnificent France” for using its military might not to destroy, but rather to safeguard peace. In turn, Sarkis Tosunian delivered “a beautiful address” in French. It must be noted that the Armenians remained circumspect in their statements as instructed by the French authorities, because the latter were careful not to antagonize the Turkish government.

Speaking on behalf of the High Commissioner, Colonel Huguenet surveyed amicable Franco-Armenian bonds throughout history, considering the French assistance in 1915 a natural continuation of that close relationship.  In a clearly political message, he also reminded the large crowd that only under French protection could such a monument symbolize freedom and friendship among peoples.  Paul Baurain then read an unpublished poem dedicated to Musa Dagh (it is not clear if it was the same one recited two years earlier).  Vice-Admiral Henri Joubert, commander of the Eastern Mediterranean Fleet, followed suit by paying homage to the Armenian martyrs. The celebrations continued with an official banquet held near the centuries-old plane (sosi) tree of Kheder Beg village.  On the following day, Tosunian, as the President of the Deliverance Monument Committee, sent a message to Admiral Dartige du Fournet, then living in Périgueux en Dordognes, France, expressing his deep gratitude. Du Fournet was the commander of the 3rd French Squadron that had given the green light for the rescue of Musa Daghians in September 1915.

The last commemorative celebration took place in 1938. A year later, before July 23, the vast majority of the Musa Dagh people left their ancestral mountain refusing to live under Turkish rule as the Sanjak of Iskenderun, including Musa Dagh, was ceded by France to Turkey.  Today, the Musa Dagh resistance is celebrated annually in Lebanon, Armenia, France, Canada, the United States and elsewhere.  In the same vein, four monuments honoring this unique episode in Armenian History exist: in Anjar, Lebanon; Musa Ler Town, Armenia; Cambridge, Ontario, Canada; and Fresno, California (near completion).

On a related topic, this year marks the 90th anniversary of Franz Werfel’s historical novel, “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh,” originally published in German in 1933 and subsequently translated to numerous languages including Turkish. It is only fitting that special events and programs are organized around the world to publicize the importance of this milestone.

AW: Congressional Hearing: President Biden complicit in Azerbaijan’s genocide against Artsakh

Karapet Navasardian
September 7, 2023 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Former International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo called out U.S. President Joe Biden’s complicity in Azerbaijan’s ongoing genocide against Artsakh’s 120,000 indigenous Christian Armenians, in powerful remarks delivered before a congressional hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC), reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“President Biden or Secretary Blinken can officially tell Mr. Aliyev to remove tomorrow, unconditionally, the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, or we consider you responsible for genocide. […] And, of course, that will trigger a lot of consequences,” stated Ocampo, speaking in a packed Rayburn House Office Building hearing room.

Ocampo pushed back against arguments that Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations may be hampered by the proper characterization of genocide to describe Azerbaijan’s over 260-day blockade of Artsakh. “The negotiation is between a genocider and his victims. You cannot ask for a negotiation between Hitler and the people in Auschwitz. It’s not a negotiation. You have to stop Auschwitz and then discuss negotiation. And that, I think, is the secret here,” stated Ocampo. The former ICC prosecutor went on to note that “knowing that President Aliyev is using genocide and trying to deny the genocide, the U.S. assistance to deny the genocide could be considered complicity.”

Former ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo described Azerbaijan’s 260+ day Artsakh blockade as a “an ongoing genocide. It’s happening now,” in powerful remarks delivered at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing, titled “Nagorno Karabakh: Update”

ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian echoed Ocampo, underscoring, “Today’s hearing put President Biden on public notice that he is – according to the spirit and the letter of the Genocide Convention – complicit in Azerbaijan’s genocide against the 120,000 indigenous Christian Armenians of Artsakh – citizens of an at-risk democracy blockaded by an oil-rich dictatorship.”

Rep. Chris Smith: “This horrible crime, this crime of genocide, was planned, tested and imposed by the government of Azerbaijan.”

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chair Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) – a longtime champion of human rights around the world and leading voice in the decades-long effort to secure U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide – was outspoken in his characterization of Azerbaijan’s genocide in Artsakh.

“There are 120,000 ethnic Armenians who have been sealed off from food and medicine and are being starved to death by the government of Azerbaijan. […] This horrible crime, this crime of genocide, was planned, tested and imposed by the government of Azerbaijan; that is to say, by President Aliyev who rules Azerbaijan with an iron fist as a dictator,” stated Chairman Smith in his opening remarks of the hearing.

He went to slam Biden administration officials for not responding to repeated invitations to participate in today’s hearing. “This hearing has two empty chairs. Two. Those of the U.S. Department of State and USAID. I requested that they both provide a witness for this hearing. Despite repeated requests by phone and email, neither responded. Not even a response. Since 1995, I have chaired hundreds of hearings with State Department or USAID witnesses. This is a unique case of absolute nonresponse,” stated Chairman Smith.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chair Chris Smith (R-NJ) called Artsakh’s integration into Azerbaijan a “death sentence” during the September 6 emergency hearing

“It speaks volumes about the bankruptcy of the Biden-Harris administration’s genocide-aligned policies on Artsakh that they refused Chairman Smith’s repeated requests to send even a single U.S. State Department or USAID witness to today’s hearing,” noted the ANCA’s Hamparian.

Chairman Smith highlighted the Biden administration’s failure to adequately respond to Azerbaijan’s escalating aggression and blockade against Artsakh.  “Requests in bland bureaucratic language do not count, not when people are being subjected to genocide,” stated Rep. Smith. “Today, the State Department issued a readout of Secretary Blinken’s September 1 call with President Aliyev, where [they expressed] ‘concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation, reiterated our call to reopen, underscored the need for a dialogue and compromise.’ This is completely inadequate, and I believe it is insulting. One side is committing genocide against the other, and the State Department expresses concern urging the victim to dialogue and to compromise.”

David Phillips: “By being silent, by not acting, the Biden administration is making a statement that it values Azeri oil and gas more than it does the lives of Armenians in Artsakh”

David L. Phillips, the director of Columbia University’s Artsakh Atrocities Project and adjunct professor at Georgetown University, offered powerful testimony citing atrocities committed by Azerbaijani government officials against Armenians in the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia and calling for concrete U.S. sanctions against both Azerbaijan and its top leadership.

“Azerbaijan does not have a diversified economy. It relies on oil and gas resources. The levels of corruption by the Aliyev family are well documented. Freezing accounts and financial resources of officials and corrupt leadership responsible would be more effective in Azerbaijan than it would be elsewhere,” argued Phillips. “If the situation is not dramatically reversed soon, the U.S. and its allies should give the Armenians the means to defend themselves and exercise of the duty to prevent genocide, lest history repeat itself.”

Phillips went on to criticize the international community for not imposing sanctions against Azerbaijan sooner. “The international community failed to sanction individuals who committed crimes after the wars in 2016 and 2020. Its message of failure sent a communication to the government of Azerbaijan that it can act with impunity and escape repercussions for its crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and acts of genocide,” stated Phillips. “This signals Azerbaijan, as well as other regimes around the world, that they can escape consequences for violating international humanitarian law and committing crimes against humanity.”

Columbia University director of the Artsakh Atrocities Project David L. Phillips argued that the international community’s failure to sanction Azerbaijan sent the clear message that they can act with impunity

The September 6 emergency hearing on Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) followed the June 22 hearing hosted by TLHRC co-chairs Chris Smith (R-NJ) and James McGovern (D-MA), which included remarks by Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) also submitted a written statement for the record. Titled “Safeguarding the people of Nagorno Karabakh,” the hearing included testimony by former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Michael Rubin and Columbia University’s Phillips.

The ANCA streamed the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing live on its social media channels. The complete video is available on the Commission’s website.

The ANCA has launched a national call-in campaign asking Senators to place a hold on all of President Biden’s State Department nominees until he takes decisive action to stop Azerbaijan’s genocide against Artsakh. To learn more and take action, visit www.anca.org/hold.

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