Category: 2023

The bilateral visa-free regime for citizens of Armenia and Georgia has gone into effect

Emil Lazarian
  • JAMnews
  • Tbilisi

Georgia-Armenia visa-free travel

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the agreement on bilateral visa-free movement between Georgia and Armenia has gone into effect.

Now citizens of Georgia and Armenia have the right to travel back and forth using their identity documents through the designated border crossing allowed for international travel.

Prime Ministers of Georgia and Armenia, Irakli Garibashvili and Nikol Pashinyan, signed the agreement to facilitate the process of crossing the Georgian-Armenian border for citizens of both countries on January 12, 2023, in Yerevan.

“The agreement aims to provide even more favorable conditions for mutual movement of citizens of Georgia and Armenia,” the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia reads.

The new agreement replaces the visa-free movement agreement signed on May 19, 1993, between the Republic of Georgia and the Republic of Armenia.

  • Geopolitical shift in South Caucasus: waning Russian influence
  • Matsonigate: Armenian-Georgian dispute over traditional yogurt
  • Op-ed: why Georgia and Armenia need each other

On January 12, the Prime Ministers of Georgia and Armenia signed a document on further simplification of crossing the border between Georgia and Armenia for citizens of both countries, according to which citizens of the Republic of Armenia and citizens of Georgia will be able to cross the borders using their identity documents.

“Today’s agenda is very broad and includes various areas – transportation, communication, technology, healthcare, agriculture, and more. I am confident that the agreements reached during the meeting will give a new impetus to Armenian-Georgian relations,” said Nikol Pashinyan at the time.

The Prime Minister of Armenia also noted that from January to November 2022, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by approximately 70 percent.

https://jam-news.net/georgia-armenia-visa-free-travel/

IntelBrief: On Shaky Ground: Washington Talks Marred by Renewed Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh

Suren Karakhanian
 THE SOUFAN CENTER 

Bottom Line Up Front

  • Tensions remain high between Armenia and Azerbaijan after violent skirmishes in the historically disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh left four Armenian servicemen dead amidst peace negotiations hosted in Washington D.C.
  • Despite Moscow’s role in mediating the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, its intentions have long been suspect to regional experts who believe that Russian interests benefit from the ongoing nature of this frozen conflict.
  • Many analysts have noted Russia’s displeasure with increased Western intervention in the dispute; peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan aligns with Western interests, as it could significantly bolster energy security and potentially curb Russia’s influence over the South Caucasus.
  • With growing involvement from the West and Russia, Nagorno-Karabakh could act as another proxy battleground for escalation, complicated by existing tensions related to Ukraine and other geopolitical flashpoints.

Amidst U.S.-led peace talks in Washington D.C., violent skirmishes in the historically disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh erupted again between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops toward the end of June. Tensions between the two countries remain high after the violence, which left four Armenian servicemen dead. These attacks followed allegations by Azerbaijan of an Armenian assault that wounded one of its soldiers, while Armenia reported breaches of the ceasefire by Azerbaijan. This tit-for-tat escalation is not new in a region that has remained a hotbed of conflict dating back to the 1990s. Despite the fighting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that further progress has been made toward a peace agreement during the negotiations. Azerbaijan and Armenia’s foreign ministers provided vague comments echoing Blinken’s sentiment, stating that the countries have an advanced mutual understanding of a draft agreement. These statements have stoked skepticism among experts about the feasibility of achieving a successful settlement between the two states and longtime adversaries. Admittedly, Blinken also acknowledged that substantial work lies ahead. Armenia aims to delimit the territory’s border based on 1975 Soviet-era maps, a position at odds with Azerbaijan's, which advocates for the “analysis and examination of legally binding documents instead of relying on a particular map.” Further, Armenia has consistently maintained a hard line surrounding international mechanisms to ensure the rights of Armenians in the territory, while Azerbaijan argues that these are internal issues, and as such, refuses to consider these demands.

The Washington-held negotiations came on the heels of Moscow’s own peace talks on May 25th, where Russian President Vladimir Putin also touted further progress toward a peace agreement, with both countries publicly recognizing each other’s territorial integrity. Both Russia and, more recently, the U.S. continue to be major players in this frozen conflict, a term used to describe this and three other unsettled disputes in the South Caucasus. The U.S.’s growing role in peace negotiations has reportedly increased tensions with Russia, which has historically acted as a mediator. Nagorno-Karabakh, a de jure territory of Azerbaijan, is predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians. Although the region is internationally recognized as belonging to Azerbaijan, it is governed by the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh, referring to the Armenian name of the territory. This conflict spans several centuries but was reignited during the Soviet era due to its "nationalities policy," which designated the region as an autonomous oblast, strengthening the ethnic identity of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh while situating them within the borders of Azerbaijan and assimilating them under the Soviet Union's hegemony. Many historians believe that this was a deliberate policy designed to increase the territory’s vulnerability and dependency on Moscow. This peace proved fragile, however, demonstrated by the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As former Soviet republics sought to define borders and reaffirm national identities, the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh flared anew, resulting in two deadly wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 1994 and 2020. In between these wars, the conflict remained in an unstable or "frozen" state, with sporadic episodes of violence mediated by Russian peacekeeping troops.

Despite Moscow’s role in mediating the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, its intentions have long been suspect to many regional experts, who believe that Russian interests benefit from the ongoing nature of this frozen conflict. Russia has been a key player in the region, in charge of administering peacekeeping troops, but has never been considered impartial. Armenia is a close ally of Russia, while Azerbaijan has long been wary of Russia’s hegemony over the South Caucasus, often closely aligning with Türkiye. Despite Russia’s lack of neutrality, Armenia has recently experienced little advantage from its alliance. Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, has been a vocal critic about the perceived shortfall in support Armenia received from Moscow during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Recently, fresh tensions have emerged between the Armenian government and the Russian-backed state minister of the Armenian separatist region in Nagorno-Karabakh. The separatists had called on the Armenian government to halt negotiations in Washington following the violent clashes and held Pashinyan responsible for the attacks. It is widely believed that Russia benefits from a loyal but weak and dependent Yerevan. Easing border restrictions with Armenia's neighbors, Azerbaijan and Türkiye, would likely introduce new trade and energy opportunities for Armenia, a country that currently relies heavily on Russian exports. Notably, the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the territory further solidifies Russia’s influence over its “backyard” and traditional sphere of influence in the region.

On the other hand, Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine has presented an opportunity for Western nations, primarily the U.S., to increase its involvement in Nagorno-Karabakh. Peace in this region aligns with Western interests, as it could significantly bolster energy security, particularly for Western Europe, which has recently struggled with energy supply issues after heavily reducing its dependency on Russian oil. Rising energy costs have served as a flashpoint in Europe, causing political instability and providing fodder for far-left and far-right populist messaging. Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan would also potentially curb Russia’s influence over the South Caucasus and quite possibly deter further invasions similar to Ukraine. Many experts have noted Russia's displeasure with increased Western intervention in the dispute. They suspect any peace agreement will favor Azerbaijan, which has acted unfavorably to Moscow, such as constructing a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. This corridor, a perennial conflict flashpoint that connects Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, falls under the jurisdiction of Russian peacekeepers as per the November 2020 ceasefire agreement. By closing the corridor, Azerbaijan directly violated the agreement. Moreover, Armenia, increasingly frustrated with Moscow's perceived lack of intervention, requested the deployment of an EU monitoring mission to the shared border with Azerbaijan, which became operational in February. At the same time, Armenia postponed the deployment of forces from the Russian-backed Collective Security Treaty Organization.

However, even with increased negotiations, the recent eruption of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh during the Washington-led talks does not inspire confidence in the prospect of sustainable peace between the two nations. The lack of further substantial progress since May contributes to a ubiquitous ambiguity surrounding peace, as many experts agree that these intermittent violent escalations will persist until a formal peace agreement is reached. With Russia's role in this conflict prompting questions among observers, and the West’s growing involvement in negotiations raising tensions, Nagorno-Karabakh could very well be another proxy battleground for escalation, complicated by existing tensions related to Ukraine and other geopolitical flashpoints.

https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2023-july-14/

Memories of Armenia: The Wings of Tatev

Suren Karakhanian
Queens Gazette, NY

BY CATHERINE TSOUNIS

Who holds the record for Longest non-stop double track cable car in the world? It is in a country struggling to maintain its independence . A poor nation materially, the first Aryans or “Ancient people”, Armenia has  the longest reversible aerial tramway built in only one section at the Tatev monastery. Its majestic view is unforgettable.

I remember Tatev because I was the only person of the Holy Martyrs 2018 Pilgrimage who was not warned and drank poisonous juice that landed me in a hospital without adequate plasma. A life experience that had a happy ending, because Father Abraham  Malkhasyan  sang an Armenian religious hymn, blessing me at the hospital. It was destiny for me to experience all, overcome and remember “The Wings of Tatev” in 2023. Every traveler has an experience that changed their life. Seeing historic Armenia helped me appreciate my Greek heritage. It is the longest reversible aerial tramway built in only one section the Aegean and Western Anatolia because of the courageous Orthodox Armenian people, the backbone of the Byzantine education, spiritual and military establishments.

Flying over the gorge located at the Syunik region, south of Yerevan, presented a once in a lifetime view. The manufacturer is the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group of Austria/Switzerland. In the middle of nowhere, the Caucasus mountains, one sees Western technology. “The Wings of Tatev” was built within the framework of the Tatev Revival Project. The project was conceived  by Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend. The aerial tramway was officially launched on 16 October 2010., where it set the Guinness World Record   for the longest non-stop reversible aerial tramway.1

The Tatev Gateway  is noncommercial. It has one goal: the restoration of Tatev Monastery and the development of the local community. – Tatev, that means “give wings.”2  Flying across the gorge was like having wings.

Special appreciation to Rev. Dr. Abraham  Malkhasyan  of Holy Martyrs Apostolic Armenian Church in Bayside, NY, the  Pilgrimage leader Aram Ciamician and photographer Lara Ciamician, Zarmi Megherian and Armenian mentors scholar Mardo Anastasian and community activist Carol Anastasian.

  

  

For more pictures, click on the link below:
https://www.qgazette.com/articles/memories-of-armenia-the-wings-of-tatev/


Sports: Judo – FEDERATION FRIDAY: ARMENIA

Yeghisabet Vorskanian

Armenia is a landlocked country of Transcaucasia, positioned just south of the great mountain range of the Caucasus and fronting the north-western edge of Asia. Armenia is bounded by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Türkiye. The capital city is Yerevan. Modern Armenia embraces only a small portion of ancient Armenia, one of the world’s oldest centres civilization. The population sums to a little over 2.7 million (2021) spread across 29,743 km². 

The National Judo Federation of Armenia was established in 1972 and today, there are over 3000 judoka practicing on the weekly basis. Although their Olympic medal moment yet to be met, their Olympic representation has been completed on several occasions with the latest attendee being Ferdinand KARAPETIAN, who competed in the -73kg category at the Tokyo Games.

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, ROUND 2 KAZ SMAGULOV vs ARM KARAPETIAN, -73 kg.
© (c) Di Feliciantonio Emanuele

Still, the value of judo in this country is way beyond any shiny rounded hardware.  Watch the video below to have a better understanding on how judo is represented through this heartwarming content.

Creating a Better Armenia with Judo. © Zartonk Media

There is always a story behind every achievement… with his city in debris, Hovhannes DAVTYAN arrived to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as the sole Armenian judoka. The International Olympic Committee via their Olympic Channel featured Davtyan in their Original Fuel series to truly display the obstacles some of the athletes having to go through to accomplish their dreams. Press on to see the full video.

Moving onto the world championships stage, one of Armenia’s fuelled youth clamped a historical cadet world title last year. This memorable moment was delivered by Gor KARAPETYAN who seized the -81kg category. It might have been the first yet, undoubtedly, not the last…

Gor KARAPETYAN © Carlos Ferreira

Armenia celebrated a few European medals throughout history. However, two European Championships titles were obtained by Nazaryan ARMEN in 2005 and Ferdinand KARAPETIAN in 2018. Armenia, a small delegation with tremendous spirit.

Off the mat…did you know? 

  • Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world. Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome. 
  • The Armenian alphabet is one of the most advanced in the world.
  • Armenia is considered to be the homeland of apricot. 
  • Armenian bread is in the list of UNESCO world Heritage. 
  • The oldest shoes: In September 2008, in the village of Areni, the oldest shoe in the world was discovered. It ages over 5500 years. 

Author: Szandra Szogedi


https://www.eju.net/federation-friday-armenia/

Greece Must Support Armenia

Emil Lazarian
The National Herald, Greece

By Theodore Karakostas

National Herald

During the Genocide’s death marches, an Armenian woman kneeling beside dead child in a field near Aleppo, Syria, as witnessed by the American Committee for Relief in the Near East. Photo: Public domain

During the Genocide’s death marches, an Armenian woman kneeling beside dead child in a field near Aleppo, Syria, as witnessed by the American Committee for Relief in the Near East. (Photo: Public domain)

Greece and Cyprus have very few friends in the world. The Hellenic world’s closest friends are unquestionably the Armenians. Greeks and Armenians died together in the Turkish orchestrated genocide of 1914 to 1923. Greek and Armenian Christians were hunted down by the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal in Smyrna to be murdered. Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia are out of favor with the powerful of the world.

Armenia faces an existential threat. For thirty years, Armenia ruled the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. In 2020, the government in Baku backed by Ankara launched a bloody war of aggression and committed war crimes and crimes against humanity against Armenian civilians. The so called ‘free’ world stood aside and did nothing, just as the Russians did nothing. America and Europe espouse democracy and Russia espouses Christianity but here is an Islamic dictatorship attempting to eradicate a Christian democracy and no one lifts a finger.

The horrors of 9/11 have been forgotten. Azerbaijan and Turkey have assisted and been assisted by Syrian elements that were part of Al Qaida. Does anyone remember those bloodthirsty terrorists? One hundred years after the culmination of the mass exterminations of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks by the Turks, the prospect of renewed genocide remains a horrific reality.

The threat that Armenia faces is shared by Greece and Cyprus. The Turkish elections brought to the forefront two evil and deranged psychopaths who were competing for the Turkish Presidency. President Erdogan’s extreme threats to shoot missiles into Athens and to seize the Greek islands are well known. His challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu accused Erdogan of tolerating Greek ‘occupation’ of the islands. Turkish leaders vary in their ideology but not on eternal hatred of Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, and Kurds.

Greece is a member of the European Union and NATO. For the most part, this has not done Greece any good as the west supports Turkey uncritically. The Greek government has attempted to follow the western line on Ukraine in a failed attempt to curry favor with the west. Greece should be paying more attention to the Armenians. What happens to Greece and Cyprus will depend heavily on what happens to Armenia. If Armenia falls to the combined evil of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Greece and Cyprus will be next.

Athens must champion the Armenian cause in Europe and NATO and must use any leverage it can muster to back all Armenian rights. The Armenian cause is the Greek cause. It is a morally righteous cause in a fight for survival. Greece has placed way too much confidence in the western world. At this late date, not much can be done about that, but Greece must work to support the Armenians who need as much diplomatic support as possible.

International pressure is being imposed on Armenia to make concessions to the regime in Baku. This is similar to the pressure that was exerted on Greece in 1922 to give up its rights on Constantinople and Asia Minor. It is similar to the pressure the west tries time and again to pressure Greece to make concessions on Cyprus.

Greece’s relationship with Armenia is not artificial like those with its ‘allies’ in NATO. This is a real friendship that was solidified in blood.

Greece must stand firmly with the Armenians.

Theodore G. Karakostas is the author of the books ‘In the Shadow of Hagia Sophia’, and ‘With This Sign Conquer’.




F18News: AZERBAIJAN: Yet another conscientious objector case set for Strasbourg?

Emma Jilavian 
FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn9midTai$
 

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief

=================================================

Friday 
AZERBAIJAN: Yet another conscientious objector case set for Strasbourg?

On 8 June, Azerbaijan's Supreme Court rejected Jehovah's Witness Seymur
Mammadov's final appeal against his conviction for refusing compulsory
military service on grounds of conscience. Initially jailed, he is now
halfway through a one-year suspended sentence. He is considering an appeal
to the European Court of Human Rights, which found in favour of seven
conscientious objectors jailed or given suspended sentences earlier. The
ECtHR judgments "called for legislative action on civilian service as an
alternative to military service". No draft Alternative Service Law has been
presented to Parliament.

AZERBAIJAN: Yet another conscientious objector case set for Strasbourg?
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2846__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn0DbTg-s$
 
By Felix Corley, Forum 18

Convicted and jailed after refusing compulsory military service on grounds
of conscience, Jehovah's Witness Seymur Mammadov failed to have his
conviction and punishment overturned in his final appeal at Azerbaijan's
Supreme Court on 8 June. The 23-year-old Mammadov – who spent nearly 12
weeks in jail and is now in the middle of one year's probation after his
jail term was changed to a suspended sentence - is now considering a case
to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has already found that the
regime violated the human rights of seven Jehovah's Witnesses who had
refused compulsory military service on grounds of conscience and sought in
vain to do an alternative civilian service. The ECtHR issued its most
recent judgments – in the cases of Emil Mehdiyev and Vahid Abilov – in
October 2021 (see below).

Although the regime paid the compensation specified by the ECtHR in 2019 to
the first five conscientious objectors, the Council of Europe is not
satisfied that the judgment has been fully implemented. "The Court pointed
out that such a situation in principle calls for legislative action by the
respondent State in order to fulfil its obligations to enable the
applicants and other persons in the same situation to benefit from the
right to conscientious objection" (see below).

In a report on Azerbaijan made public on 21 June 2023, the Council of
Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) reminded
the regime of ECtHR judgments that "called for legislative action on
civilian service as an alternative to military service in Azerbaijan" (see
below).

No draft Alternative Service Law has been presented to the Milli Majlis and
no draft Law is listed for future consideration on the Milli Majlis website
(see below).

ECRI noted that the regime had informed it that a Working Group had been
formed in the Milli Majlis (Parliament) to draft an Alternative Service
Law. Zahid Oruj, chair of the Milli Majlis Human Rights Committee, and
parliamentary assistants were unable to give Forum 18 any information about
the Working Group, including who is on it and if it has made any progress
in drafting such a Law (see below).

Forum 18 asked Chingiz Asgarov, the government agent to the ECtHR, what
steps Azerbaijan is taking to complete its execution of this ECtHR
decision. Forum 18 received no immediate response (see below).

Forum 18 again wrote to the Human Rights Ombudsperson's Office in Baku
asking what action it is taking (if any) to ensure that Azerbaijan
introduces a civilian alternative service for those unable to serve in the
army on grounds of conscience. Forum 18 received no immediate response (see
below).

(In 2018 the Sub-Committee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of
National Human Rights Institutions downgraded the Azerbaijani
Ombudsperson's Office 
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2408__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn1jqZC6q$
 )
to B status because it "has not adequately spoken out in a manner that
effectively promotes protection for all human rights, including in response
to credible allegations of human rights violations having been committed by
government authorities".)

Council of Europe obligation ignored

Military service of 18 months (12 months for those with higher education)
is compulsory for all young men. Article 76, Part 2 of Azerbaijan's
Constitution declares: "If the beliefs of citizens come into conflict with
service in the army then in some cases envisaged by law alternative service
instead of regular army service is permitted." However, no mechanism exists
to enact this provision.

Ahead of its accession to the Council of Europe in January 2001, Azerbaijan
promised 
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2429__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn1-u8jOz$
 ) "to adopt,
within two years of accession, a law on alternative service in compliance
with European standards and, in the meantime, to pardon all conscientious
objectors presently serving prison terms or serving in disciplinary
battalions, allowing them instead to choose (when the law on alternative
service has come into force) to perform non-armed military service or
alternative Civilian service".

Azerbaijan has never done this, and conscientious objectors to military
service have been repeatedly prosecuted and even jailed under Criminal Code
Article 321.1. This states
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2429__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn1-u8jOz$
 ): "Evasion without
lawful grounds of call-up to military service or of mobilisation, with the
purpose of evading serving in the military, is punishable by imprisonment
for up to two years [in peacetime]".

United Nations (UN) human rights bodies, as well as the Council of Europe's
Venice Commission and its European Commission against Racism and
Intolerance (ECRI), have repeatedly criticised Azerbaijan's failure to
introduce a civilian alternative to compulsory military service (see
below).

In August 2019, the Baku-based Human Rights Club
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.insanhuquqlari.org/__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn3Ktwp9p$
 ), which Rasul Jafarov heads, published its
own proposal for the text of an Alternative Service Law to try to put the
issue on the public agenda. "We have had no response to our proposal from
official people," Jafarov told Forum 18 in April 2020
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2567__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn0ELG4I6$
 ).

Jehovah's Witness Royal Karimov was seized and handed over to the army on
25 July 2022 – two days after his 18th birthday - despite telling
conscription officials in Gadabay, the police and personnel in the military
unit that he cannot perform military service on grounds of conscience but
is ready to perform a civilian alternative service. He was finally released
from the military unit in Ganca
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2796__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn300UAYq$
 ) on 1 November 2022,
more than three months later.

On 29 November 2022, Karimov received official documentation from the State
Service for Mobilisation and Conscription confirming that he is medically
unfit for military service and giving the date of 14 October 2027 for his
next medical examination. On 30 November 2022, Karimov filed an
administrative complaint about the way he had been treated to the head
office of the State Service for Mobilisation and Conscription, Jehovah's
Witnesses told Forum 18.

More than ten other Jehovah's Witness young men have faced summonses, often
repeated medical examinations and restrictions
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2796__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn300UAYq$
 ) (including bans on
leaving Azerbaijan) after telling the State Service for Mobilisation and
Conscription that they cannot perform compulsory military service and that
they are willing to perform an alternative, civilian service. At least one,
who did not know he was banned from leaving Azerbaijan, was stopped on the
border with Georgia in 2019 and sent back. He is still banned from leaving
Azerbaijan.

Supreme Court upholds conviction for refusing military service on grounds
of conscience

At the Supreme Court on 8 June 2023, Jehovah's Witness Seymur Afqan oglu
Mammadov (born 16 August 2000) lost his final appeal against his conviction
and punishment for refusing military service on grounds of conscience.

Mammadov – who is from the north-western district of Goranboy – was
summoned in May 2022 by Goranboy District State Service for Mobilisation
and Conscription. He informed officers about his religious position as a
conscientious objector to military service who is ready to perform civilian
alternative service, as provided for by the Constitution and the decisions
of the European Court of Human Rights. He was subsequently informed that he
had been restricted from leaving the country.

On 22 September 2022, Goranboy District Court sentenced Mammadov under
Criminal Code Article 321.1
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2776__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn4l-AI3r$
 ) to nine months'
imprisonment. He was taken to prison, where prison officials would not let
him have a Bible or receive letters, Jehovah's Witnesses told Forum 18. He
appealed against his sentence.

Mammadov was brought to Ganca Appeal Court for the final hearing on 12
December 2022. The prosecutor stated that he supported the decision of
Goranboy District Court but, given Mammadov's age and positive character
references, he requested a two-year suspended sentence. The court partially
satisfied the appeal and replaced the nine-month jail term with a one-year
suspended sentence 
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2796__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn300UAYq$
 ).

Mammadov was released in the courtroom immediately after the hearing after
nearly 12 weeks in jail. His probation of one year was deemed to begin on
12 December 2022 and he has a criminal record.

Mammadov's final appeal was registered at the Supreme Court in Baku on 14
January 2023, according to court records. Officials fitted him with an
electronic tag on 16 January, Jehovah's Witnesses told Forum 18.

On 8 June, a panel of three judges at the Supreme Court in Baku, chaired by
Judge Ilkin Rajabov, heard Mammadov's final appeal against his conviction
and punishment.

"The accused was repeatedly summoned to the State Service for Mobilisation
and Conscription and Prosecutor's Office and arrived at the place where he
was called quickly every time, he never tried to avoid military service by
running away or hiding, he simply asked the authorities to provide him with
the opportunity to undergo alternative civilian service in compliance with
the internal and international obligations assumed by the state," the
defence noted in court, according to the decision seen by Forum 18. "The
accused should not be punished because there is no alternative civilian
service law."

Mammadov's defence cited the constitutional guarantees of the right not to
serve in the army on grounds of conscience, as well as those enshrined in
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European
Convention on Human Rights. It also cited the European Court of Human
Rights judgments in earlier cases. However, the Court rejected his
arguments, claiming that because of armed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh
which broke out again in September 2020, "restriction of alternative
service of citizens should be considered reasonable".

The Supreme Court left Mammadov's one-year suspended sentence unchanged.

Now he has exhausted all domestic remedies, Seymur Mammadov is considering
an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, Jehovah's
Witnesses told Forum 18.

"The problem of lack of legislation on alternatives to military service in
Azerbaijan"

On 17 October 2019, in the case of Mushfiq Mammadov and others (Application
No. 14604/08 
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/?i=001-197066__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn-Z9w-nV$
 )), the European
Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg found in favour of five
Jehovah's Witnesses punished through the courts between 2007 and 2013 for
refusing compulsory military service on grounds of conscience. Four of them
had been jailed, while the fifth (Mammadov) had been given a suspended
prison sentence and a fine. The judgment covered four cases
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2490__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn7lGQKby$
 ) (one involving two
applicants), which the Court considered together.

Although the regime paid the compensation specified by the ECtHR to the
five conscientious objectors, the Council of Europe is not satisfied that
the judgment has been implemented.

The Court "observed that the present case highlights the problem of lack of
legislation on alternatives to military service in Azerbaijan, noting that
the enactment of such a law corresponds to the commitment entered into by
Azerbaijan on its accession to the Council of Europe and stems from the
Article 76 § 2 of the Azerbaijani Constitution," the Council of Europe
notes.

"The Court pointed out that such a situation in principle calls for
legislative action by the respondent State in order to fulfil its
obligations to enable the applicants and other persons in the same
situation to benefit from the right to conscientious objection."

In such cases, the "respondent state" (in this case Azerbaijan) is required
to prepare an action plan. "An action plan is a document setting out the
measures the respondent state has taken and intends to take to implement a
judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, including an indicative
timetable for the adoption and implementation of those measures," the
Council of Europe explains.

"An action report is a report by the respondent state setting out all the
measures taken to implement a judgment of the European Court of Human
Rights and/or an explanation of why no measures, or no further measures,
are necessary."

In the case of Mushfiq Mammadov and others, "Action plan/report is
awaited," the Council of Europe notes
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://hudoc.exec.coe.int/ENG?i=004-54609__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn6N7RekD$
 ).

Forum 18 asked Chingiz Asgarov, the Azerbaijani government's Agent to the
ECtHR, in writing on the afternoon of 13 July what steps Azerbaijan is
taking to complete its execution of this ECtHR decision. Forum 18 received
no response by the middle of the working day in Baku of 14 July.

ECRI renews concern over lack of alternative service, calls for
"legislative action"

Officials have given mixed signals on whether they intend to fulfil the
obligation to the Council of Europe to introduce a civilian alternative
service for those who cannot serve in the army on grounds of conscience.

In its latest report on Azerbaijan
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://rm.coe.int/sixth-report-on-azerbaijan/1680ab9e35__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGnxFAsvLM$
 ) adopted on 29
March 2023 and made public on 21 June, the Council of Europe's European
Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) noted its continuing
concern over the situation of conscientious objectors, particularly over
those who had been jailed. It said the regime had taken "no further steps"
since ECRI raised the issue in its 2019 report
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2567__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn0ELG4I6$
 ).

ECRI reminded the regime of the 2019 ECtHR judgment in the case of Mushfiq
Mammadov and others, noting that its implementation is still pending. It
added: "ECRI strongly encourages the authorities to consider the
observations made by the Court under Article 46 of the [European]
Convention [on Human Rights], which called for legislative action on
civilian service as an alternative to military service in Azerbaijan."

In its response to ECRI on the initial draft of the report, the regime
noted: "The working group has been established in the Milli Majlis for the
purpose of drafting the law ‘On Alternative Service'."

Is Working Group working on new Alternative Service Law?

No election in Azerbaijan – including February 2020 Milli Majlis
(Parliament) elections - has ever been found to be free and fair
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/azerbaijan__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn6PS7hf7$
 ) by Organisation for
Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) election observers.

Despite the regime's insistence to ECRI that a Working Group in the Milli
Majlis is working on a new Alternative Service Law, Forum 18 has been
unable to find out who is on the Working Group and what progress (if any)
it has made.

No draft Alternative Service Law has been presented to the Milli Majlis and
no draft Law is listed for future consideration on the Milli Majlis
website.

Zahid Oruj, a Milli Majlis deputy who chairs its Human Rights Committee,
told Forum 18 on 11 July that the Working Group is not under his Committee.
He added that he does not have "detailed information about the latest
update of the issue. We have no details of the endeavours of the re-set up
Working Group." He referred all questions to Ziyafat Asgarov, head of the
Milli Majlis Defence, Security and Anti-Corruption Committee.

Asgarov's assistant told Forum 18 on 13 July that Asgarov is on holiday. An
assistant to the Defence, Security and Anti-Corruption Committee told Forum
18 the same day that he had no information about the Working Group. He said
that as many colleagues are on holiday, it is impossible to find any
information.

Forum 18 again wrote to the Human Rights Ombudsperson's Office in Baku on
the afternoon of 13 July asking what action it is taking (if any) to ensure
that Azerbaijan introduces a civilian alternative service for those unable
to serve in the army on grounds of conscience. Forum 18 received no
response by the middle of the working day in Baku of 14 July.

Forum 18 earlier asked the Human Rights Ombudsperson's Office the same
question. Its 10 October 2022 response, signed by chief of staff Aydin
Safikhanly, did not answer this question
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2796__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn300UAYq$
 ).

Lone parliamentary voice?

On 30 March 2020, Siyavush Novruzov, a senior ruling party politician, made
a brief remark to parliament, the Milli Majlis, that an Alternative Service
Law should be adopted
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2567__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn0ELG4I6$
 ).

Novruzov repeated the call in the Milli Majlis on 5 May 2022, according to
the record of the session. "There are people whose health allows them, but
their other views do not allow them to carry weapons," he told deputies.
"In the past, of course, our territories were under occupation. That's why
we approached it completely differently. But after we are freed from the
occupation and our territorial integrity is ensured, I think that we should
also adopt a law on alternative service."

Novruzov explained to deputies that such alternative service would be
carried out not in the military but in other parts of the economy,
including health care. However, he proposed that the individual performing
alternative civilian service serve for longer than those performing
military service. "This is how he compensates for his place," he insisted.

The right of those with conscientious objections not to be forced to take
part in military structures or activity derives from Article 18 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which
enshrines "Freedom of thought, conscience and religion". In states which
have an alternative civilian service, such service must be open to all who
object to military service on grounds of conscience and must not be
punitive
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.quno.org/sites/default/files/resources/QUNO*20Conscientious*20Objection*20-*20International*20Standards_Revised*202021_FINAL.pdf__;JSUlJSUl!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn-3Azi_7$
 )
(for example by its conditions or duration).

Forum 18 wished to find out from Novruzov why he was proposing that those
performing alternative civilian service should serve for longer and what
progress there has been on adopting a law. However, he did not answer his
phone each time Forum 18 called between 11 and 14 July. (END)

Full reports on freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Azerbaijan
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?query=&religion=all&country=23__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn1egHBQR$
 )

For more background, see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom survey
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2429__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGn1-u8jOz$
 )

Forum 18's compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=1351__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGnz_EDQgR$
 )

Follow us on Twitter @Forum_18 
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/forum_18__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!uyP-Pl10ZtZW0_D-BRKlgZ2xylQN0XpbWrx5numesTdwM4rmMKH7O2i26xRjFrTL5Fu8TSRg2wFPlUt6KlZGnwlSSg3l$
 )

Follow us on Facebook @Forum18NewsService
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 )

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 )

All Forum 18 text may be referred to, quoted from, or republished in full,
if Forum 18 is credited as the source.

All photographs that are not Forum 18's copyright are attributed to the
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PM Pashinyan congratulates Emmanuel Macron on National Day

Lilit Nahapetian

 12:36,

YEREVAN, JULY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to French President Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the National Day, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister. The message says:

"Honorable Mr. President, dear Emmanuel,

On behalf of the Armenian people and myself, I warmly congratulate you and the fraternal people of France on the occasion of the National Day.

More than two centuries ago, on July 14, 1789, the French people, consolidating around the noble ideas of the supremacy of the values of freedom, equality and fraternity, recorded the victory of the popular will in the pages of world history and outlined the path of fundamental freedoms and democracy for the modern world with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen.

The high values of universal significance, professed by France, have also been a source of inspiration for many Armenians who have survived the Armenian Genocide and found refuge in your country. Missak Manouchian, who sacrificed his life for the sake of France and its freedom, for the protection of universal values, best embodies the grateful attitude of the Armenian people towards France and its righteous struggle for freedom.

Taking this opportunity, I express my gratitude for your historic decision to move the remains of the hero of the Resistance Movement, Missak Manouchian, to the Pantheon. It is the greatest honor for the entire Armenian people, because Manouchian and his comrades-in-arms became a symbol of France's indomitable struggle on the way to victory against tyranny.

Armenia highly values the privileged relations established between our two states, which is vividly demonstrated by close high-level political dialogue and dynamically developing cooperation in all spheres.

We are grateful for your significant and ongoing efforts in the process of a just and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and your important support in addressing the security challenges facing Armenia. We especially appreciate the attention and efforts of France in the protection of the endangered historical and cultural heritage of Nagorno Karabakh.

Congratulating you again on the occasion of the National Day of the French Republic, I wish you success in your important mission and reaffirm my invitation to host you in Armenia on a state visit in the near future.

Sincerely, Nikol Pashinyan."

Khanandyan speaks about the need for actions by international partners and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Paul Hambardsumian

 13:15,

YEREVAN, 14 JULY, ARMENPRESS: The severe humanitarian problem in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade requires concrete actions by international partners and they comprehend this, Armenpress reports, Sargis Khandanyan, the chairman of the Armenian National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, said at the press conference, reflecting on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is becoming more terrible day by day. We constantly speak out about this in the parliament. Recently I was in France as a member of the National Assembly President's delegation, and we discussed these issues in great detail with our French colleagues. Concrete actions are needed by international partners and they comprehend this", said Khandanyan

He assured that the position of the Armenian authorities regarding the protection of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh remains unchanged. The MP emphasized the need for dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, within the framework of which security and rights issues should be discussed, and they should have international visibility.

Khandanyan stressed that the provisions of the November 9 declaration must be followed. Now the decision of the UN International Court of Justice is added to that, which was reaffirmed by a recently made new decision.

"Our role is to raise these issues through diplomacy, including parliamentary diplomacy, try to increase the pressure on Azerbaijan and achieve concrete decisions on a number of platforms, including the UN Security Council, which will also imply actions, for example, a wider international presence in Nagorno-Karabakh, which will expressly guarantee the protection of the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians," the chairman of the committee emphasized.

This year FemInno will continue celebrating women’s role in innovation and technology

Garik Boshkezenian

 13:56,

YEREVAN, 14 JULY, ARMENPRESS. This year, at the FemInno conference organized for the second time, women will be united under the theme "Sustainable development. Heading to Metaverse".

"After the first year, we managed to create a much stronger and broader program than last year. This year's topic is "Sustainable development. Heading to Metaverse". The idea of the metaverse in Armenia is new: there is not much discussion around virtual reality. But there are quite serious technological developments around it, and we decided to bring up the topic of the metaverse, not only to help emphasize the participation of women, which is important to us but also explore a new interesting direction" mentioned in a conversation with "Armenpress" Seda Papoyan, the founder of the conference.

This year, speakers from Uruguay, Kyrgyzstan, UAE, the USA, the Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Georgia, and several European countries will be delivering speeches at the conference. According to Papoyan, the geography they cover helps them achieve one of their most important goals: to bring attention to Armenia through people who had no prior connection with Armenia.

"Last year, being the first, we confirmed that there is a need for such a conference in Armenia to appreciate, highlight and encourage the participation of women in the field of innovation, particularly in business, technology, and science.

For the first-year conference, we set a benchmark and wanted to achieve it, and we understood that we had reactions surpassing that benchmark, which helped us to become stronger and continue our work with more confidence, to again encourage the participation of women in the field of science and technology, and also to highlight their role," noted Papoyan.

This year, such people as the vice president of NVIDIA Rev Lebaredian, the world-known fintech leader Henri Arslanian, and the head of global business development of Viber Petya Kamburova will be joining the conference, who, according to the conference organizers, make Armenia visible on the map of the technological world.

"All the speakers, apart from sharing their professional experience and abilities, also emphasize the mission that we have initiated. We also highlight male speakers, whose list is gradually expanding. By joining, they encourage the role of women in this field," said Papoyan.

According to Papoyan, all of the speeches are educational. On the main stage, they have at least 20 speeches. This year, 3 stages were distinguished, one of them being the Armenia stage, where the language is Armenian, and they also have workshops.

"We have an exhibition section, an education zone, a zone for tech companies with the opportunity of raising brand awareness and hiring new talents. One of the important zones this year is the zone showcasing female-founded businesses. We aim to show and support their development and promotion. We will also have interesting workshops, from making dolls to working with pottery," said Papoyan.

This year again, they cooperate with a number of international organizations, and the Sona Mnatsakanyan scholarship for female talents also continues.

"We started the scholarship last year and had exciting results. We were able to help 10 girls advance their ideas and educational plans in the field of science, technology, and green energy. With the same format and content, the competition was also announced this year. The competition will be concluded on the last day of the conference from the stage. We hope Sona's mother will join us to present the awards to the girls and convey the important mission of continuing Sona's work. The fundraising for the competition is still open. It is important for people to join and support the scholarship so that the triumph of new talents in Armenia continues," said Papoyan.

According to the founder, anyone who wants to participate in the conference will have the opportunity. She assured that interest in the conference has increased this year.

"We noticed an apparent improvement compared to last year. It's easier for men to pronounce our name, it's easier for them to decide to join our initiative, and many colleagues themselves express their desire to join our mission and be part of the conference, which already speaks about the fact that we were able to create an interesting environment. They also realize that this direction is important," said the founder of the conference.

The event organizers intend to bring this conference created in Armenia to international platforms.

"On October 26, the first FemInno satellite will be held in San Francisco. As a community-unifying phenomenon, we have decided to take this conference to places where technologies are important, developments around technologies are active, and where there are Armenians. With the help of FemInno, we are going to form a new growing network around the potential of Armenian women, where not only Armenian women will be involved," Seda Papoyan, the founder of the initiative, said.

She also reminded me of the afterparty concert after the conference. Gor Sujyan and Mikayel Voskanyan & friends will complete the evening for the conference participants and those who want to participate in the concert. Summing up, Papoyan emphasized that they are not trying to create counter discrimination at all; on the contrary, thanks to FemInno, they are creating a new opportunity to celebrate women's participation in innovation together with men.

Karine Terteryan