Category: 2023

U.S. government must urgently protect human rights in Artsakh amid threat of genocide – congressman

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

 16:16,

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. United States Congressman Adam Schiff has called on the U.S. government to support the people of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) and support its path towards recognition, which it deserves.

Schiff made the comments at the U.S. Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on Safeguarding the People of Nagorno Karabakh.

He said that the U.S. government must take immediate actions to protect the human rights in Artsakh and condemn Azerbaijan’s ceasefire violations.

“The U.S. must call on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners of war, hold Azerbaijan to account through sanctions and suspending aid for the ongoing blockade of Lachin Corridor, it must ensure the protection and the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh, when the Armenians of Artsakh have declared that they will not abandon their right to independence and goal to live peacefully, with dignity,” the congressman said.

The democratic and peace-loving population of Artsakh is subjected to the ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime and is facing the threat of genocide, he warned.

Schiff quoted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights stipulating that all peoples have the right to self-determination. He stated that Artsakh’s declaration of independence in 1991 was in line with international law and the UN Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States.

The congressman warned that the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev cannot guarantee the security and rights of the 120,000 Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh because the Azeri authorities have organized numerous atrocities against Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, including the ethnic cleansing of thousands of Armenians in Shushi and Hadrut during the 2020 war, the torture and killings of Armenians POWs and destruction of Armenian religious and cultural heritage.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 22-06-23

David Nargizian

 17:11,

YEREVAN, 22 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 22 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 386.14 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 3.30 drams to 424.95 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.61 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 4.49 drams to 495.07 drams.

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

Gold price down by 60.84 drams to 23906.34 drams. Silver price down by 8.64 drams to 286.47 drams.

Instead of justifications, implementation of commitments. MFA Armenia spox. responses to her Russian counterpart

Boris Nahapetian

 19:30,

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ani Badalyan, in response to the media's inquiry, commented on the June 21 statement of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, regarding the incident that took place in the Lachin Corridor on June 15, urging the signatories of November 9, 2020 declaration and other tripartite statements accepted by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, to steadily implement their commitments, instead of seeking justifications.

ARMENPRESS reports, answering the question "how will you interpret the statements made by the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 21 regarding the incident near the Hakari Bridge on June 15?", the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia stated,

"In response to the comment of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, I consider it necessary to mention the following.

  1. The incident of June 15 did not take place in the Lachin Corridor, as the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry notes, but in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, on the Armenian side of the Hakari Bridge.
  2. There is a clear contradiction in the interpretation of the Russian side. If, due to the lack of delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is not possible to say exactly where the border line passes, and this is the reason for the ongoing problems, as the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry claims, then the question arises on what basis and principle the Azerbaijani flag was being raised on June 15 on this particular part of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, on this side of the bridge. By the way, let us record that this same thesis is regularly repeated verbatim by the Azerbaijani side when carrying out aggressive actions against the borders of the Republic of Armenia and invading the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.
  3. It is not clear why Russian peacekeepers participated in that operation of Azerbaijan, when both the purpose and even the location of the operation were clearly outside the scope of the peacekeepers' functions and responsibility. We remind that the only function of the Russian peacekeepers was to keep the 5 km wide corridor of Lachin under control.
  4. By the way, after the June 15 incident, the Azerbaijani side completely blocked the Lachin Corridor, as a result of which even humanitarian supplies, including food and medicine, are not being delivered to Nagorno-Karabakh, even seriously ill persons in need of medical care are not being transported from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenian medical institutions through the ICRC, , gas and electricity supply continues to be interrupted.

In conclusion, we would like to urge the signatories of November 9, 2020 declaration and other tripartite statements accepted by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, to steadily implement their commitments, instead of seeking justifications.

PM Pashinyan receives Kansas Governor and Director of Joint Staff of Kansas National Guard

Janet Ekmekjian

 18:31,

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the Governor of the US state of Kansas, Laura Kelly, and Director of Joint Staff of Kansas National Guard Michael Venerdi, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister highly commended the cooperation with the state of Kansas in various directions and expressed confidence that Mrs. Kelly's visit will give a new impetus to the cooperation.

In particular, the interlocutors discussed issues related to the expansion and deepening of cooperation in the fields of economy, agriculture and military education.

Laura Kelly emphasized the willingness and interest in strengthening ties with Armenia.

Reference was made to the process of democratic reforms in Armenia. Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the support of the US administration in pushing forward the Armenian government's institutional reform agenda.

Asbarez: Russia Urges Baku to ‘Unblock Lachin Corridor’

Varazdat Torgomian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Azerbaijani forces deploy an armored vehicle to completely block the Lachin Corridor on June 20


Russia on Wednesday called on Baku to unblock the Lachin Corridor and “not to make the population of Karabakh a hostage to political differences with Yerevan.”

This terse call to Baku was made by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who also told reporters on Wednesday that Moscow is continuing to work through Russian peacekeepers for the complete unblocking of the Lachin Corridor and expects that the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides will fulfill all the obligations assumed by the tripartite agreement.

She emphasized that the November 9, 2020 agreement “is as relevant as it was before.”

Yet during the same press briefing, Zakharova said that an attempt by Azerbaijani forces to breach Armenia’s sovereign territory on June 15 and plant a flag there was a result of the absence of border demarcation between the two countries.

“The Lachin Corridor incident is related to the general problem of the absence of a demarcated Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The Russian side has repeatedly called on the effective work of the bilateral commission with the advisory support of the Russian Federation. We are ready to help in demarcation and determining the border, which has become another bone of contention between the parties,” Zakharova said.

“The peacekeepers are working closely with the parties to settle the situation,” she added, saying that any accusation against the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh is groundless and warned against media reports the undermine their efforts.
Zakharova also seemed to accuse Armenia of abandoning efforts led by Moscow to resolve the conflict, referring to processes put in place through agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The interruption of Yerevan’s activities has a negative impact on the situation in the region and leads to the aggravation of the situation on the ground,” Zakharova said.

She also commented on Yerevan’s concerns regarding the opening of a Turkish consulate in occupied Shushi, which was announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey after when he visited Azerbaijan.

“The issue of opening consulates anywhere, particularly in Shushi, remains a topic of bilateral relations. In this case, between Baku and Ankara,” Zakharova said. “At the same time, we understand the sensitivity of the issue for Yerevan. In our contacts, we emphasize the need to consider each other’s interests and the importance of the process of normalization of both Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish relations.”

‘Blocking Lachin Corridor is Illegal and Must be Stopped,’ EU Lawmaker Says

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Nathalie Loiseau, chair of the EU Parliament's defense sub-commission, visited the entrance of Lachin Corridor on June 21


“We saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan,” Member of European Parliament says.

“Blocking the Lachin Corridor is illegal and must be stopped,” said Nathalie Loiseau, the chair of the European Parliament’s security and defense subcommittee, who is in Armenia and joined the EU’s monitoring mission in Armenia on Wednesday visited the Lachin Corridor entrance.

“We approached the entrance to Lachin Corridor and saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan,” Loiseau exclaimed when speaking to reporters.

“We heard about the increasing number of armed incidents and the invasion of the sovereign territory of Armenia. We learned about the incident in Yeraskh, where civilians were targeted. We also learned about the incident at the entrance to Lachin Corridor, where Azerbaijanis tried to raise a flag,” Loiseau added after her tour of the region with the EU monitors. She was referring to an incident on June 15 when Azerbaijani forces attempted to breach Armenia’s border and plant a flag there.

Nathalie Loiseau during a press conference in Yerevan on June 21

“I would like to send a strong message,” she emphasized. “As much as Armenia is devoted to peace, Azerbaijan is obliged to present evidence that it is also devoted to peace. The European Union is making efforts to facilitate the contacts between the leaderships of Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

“We wanted to make sure and assess the situation ourselves and also see how the European Union’s civilian mission, which has been operating along the border for four months, is working,” the EU parliament member said. “Today we were in Goris, where we met with the governor of Syunik, the head of the community of Goris, residents of Nagorno-Karabakh located in Armenia and talked with them about the 44-day war and the blocking of the Lachin corridor.”

Loiseau said that the European Union is making efforts to reduce tension and the presence of the EU mission in Armenia should contribute to reducing those tension.

“The time has come for a lasting peace to be established. I want to reaffirm the position of the European Parliament: the blocking of the Lachin corridor is illegal and must be stopped,” she said.

“The rights and well-being of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh must be protected and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia must be respected. I will take this message with me to Brussels, I will testify about what we saw and heard while in Armenia,” Loiseau added.

She also called on European ambassadors accredited in Baku to refrain from accepting any invitation from the Azerbaijani government to an illegally located checkpoint, and remain “faithful to the terms of the ruling of the International Court of Justice,”
Loiseau also said that the European Parliament fully supports sending a fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor, adding that the matter was discussed during a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“First, there is a decision of the International Court of Justice regarding the unblocking of the Lachin Corridor, which must be properly implemented. Second, the European Parliament fully supports the idea of sending a fact-finding mission,” said Loiseau.

“The European Parliament also welcomes the idea of an international presence in general to fully protect the rights and interests of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh,” she added.

“We are also completely in favor of a UN Security Council resolution being adopted. And the sooner, the better it will be if the members of the UN Security Council prepare a draft of such a resolution,” Loiseau said.

Earlier on Wednesday Loiseau, along with the EU’s representative to Armenia, Andrea Wikorin, joined the EU mission leader in Armenia, Markus Ritter and toured the border region, including the entrance of the Lachin Corridor.

Calling Blockade a War Crime, Artsakh Demands International Intervention

Andranik Taslakhchian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

A placard held during a massive protest in Stepanakert against the Azerbaijani blockade in December, 2022


The complete and arbitrary blocking of the Lachin Corridor, in particular the deliberate obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian cargo by the Russian peacekeeping forces and the ICRC for the basic needs of the people of Artsakh under siege, is considered a war crime under international law, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We strongly demand that all responsible members of the international community take the necessary collective and individual measures to stop the ongoing international crimes committed by Azerbaijan, and to prevent a catastrophe threatening the people of Artsakh with genocide,” the statement said.

“We also consider it timely for the ICRC and other relevant international structures and human rights organizations to properly and adequately assess the situation and urge the Azerbaijani authorities to respect the right of the people of Artsakh to humanitarian assistance and international protection. We note that inaction and indifference in fact encourage Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions,” added the statement.

The Artsakh foreign ministry pointed out that for seven days now, Artsakh is completely cut off from the rest of the world since Azerbaijan blocked all transportation to and from Artsakh through the Lachin Corridor, including the humanitarian efforts being provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping forces.

“Azerbaijan has gone from blatant violation of the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and complete disregard for the legally binding Order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023 to actions that amount to a war crime,” explained the Artsakh foreign ministry.

“The complete blockade and isolation of the Republic of Artsakh from the outside world exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and prepare fertile ground for the escalation of Azerbaijan’s ongoing crimes against humanity into the crime of genocide. By completely blocking the Lachin Corridor, which is the only Road of Life for the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan has actually taken its targeted policy of ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and destruction of its people as such to a new level,” the statement emphasized.

“There is no doubt that the initial purpose of the illegal establishment of Azerbaijani control over the Lachin Corridor was its subsequent blockade and use as a means of conducting its aggressive and genocidal policy against the people of Artsakh. In fact, the Lachin Corridor, originally intended to connect Artsakh with the outside world and as one of the guarantees of the normal life activity of its people, is used by Azerbaijan as a military-political tool to carry out aggressive actions against the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens,” explained the statement. 

“The deliberate starvation of 120,000 people, including women, children and the elderly, inflicting unbearable daily suffering on them, as well as imposing Azerbaijan’s own will with the use or threat of force, requires the international community to take urgent and effective enforcement measures aimed at preventing massive violations of rights of the people of Artsakh,” the Artsakh foreign ministry said.

AW: Children of the Diaspora – Fruits of a Tree

Arsine Chaltikian
 Guest Contributor Opinion 0

By Edna Antonian, Ph.D.

Over the past 108 years, the Armenian diaspora has grown to an estimated eight million people who identify themselves as having Armenian heritage. Some of us have immigrated to foreign lands for safety following the Genocide or ethnic cleansing or for economic reasons. We have lived in and contributed to these countries for three or four generations. Wherever we have landed, we have not forgotten our roots: we have built churches, schools and communities, from India to Australia and everywhere in between, and we have thrived in peace. However, the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh are our Motherland and remain vulnerable to aggressive neighbors. Although Armenian culture can be traced back to circa 1000 BC, the country of Armenia is a small nation with a five-year-old democracy. Geopolitics have also been complicated. Our people have been ruled and pulled apart by other nations for centuries.

While the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh struggle to grow and survive, regrettably they are not well-known globally. Our news does not get worldwide attention, and we have had to survive on our own. The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war of 2020 mobilized the children of the diaspora around the globe, with tangible engagement on social media, YouTube videos of “Armenian Life,” public forums and news webinars, increased book publications by Armenian authors, and production of award-winning documentaries and movies, all within the past three years.

As children of the Armenian diaspora who are thriving in foreign lands, we can be important resources for our Motherland.

We have not forgotten our roots. In the diaspora, we have formed organizations that help with fundraising such as the Armenia Fund, Veterans of Armenia, The Fund for Armenian Relief, AGBU, the Armenian Relief Society and Armenian Eyecare Project, to name a few. Many of us have visited our Homeland multiple times, helping the economy with tourism. Some experts have contributed by economic and healthcare consultations and business startups, yet there is more to be done. Our knowledge, expertise and skills are as valuable to the Armenians in the Homeland as is our financial assistance.

The children of the diaspora are an outcome of Western education, languages, work experience and ethics. Engaging our human capital and resources into development strategies of our homeland is overdue and should be welcomed by the Armenian government. Virtual learning by partnering with the children of diaspora, either individually or formally organized, can become an important tool.

Recently, I have been teaching high school students who attend the Go Center for Languages & Skills in Goris, in Syunik Province. Our classes are via Zoom. The center has been developed by Gayane Ohanyan and supported by international board members. The students and I communicate in English, learning conversational skills along with concepts in critical thinking and entrepreneurial ideas. These students are eager to learn, and their enthusiasm is contagious.

The work of Gassia Apkarian is an excellent example of how valuable our human capital can be. Judge Apkarian, of the Superior Court of Orange County in California, is the founder of an organization called the Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ), established in 2020 in response to the Artsakh war. CFTJ is composed of a group of lawyers trained in the US working with Armenian law students and young lawyers in Artsakh and Armenia. One of the main purposes of this organization is to preserve and record evidence of genocide and war crimes from the recent war. According to the Center’s website, “CFTJ serves as a valuable resource to academic and legal practitioners who seek to use the gathered evidence for purposes of education and/or legal action.”

Another example of a positive impact by the diaspora is the tremendous contributions and sacrifice made by Armine and Len Wicks. They relocated from New Zealand to Areni village in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia and built an eco-friendly, self-sufficient, modern lodge with a helipad and a butterfly garden for tourism. This has been the culmination of their charity program, Adopt-a-Village. By doing so, they have created jobs in the hospitality, agriculture and construction sectors for the local community, while bringing in their skills, funding and knowledge.

A new pioneering project has been funded by Caritas Austria for The Emily Aregak Centre in Gyumri in the province of Shirak. A center providing education, life skills and therapy to children and youth with disabilities has been built on over 10 acres of property. An affiliated business, Aregak Bakery & Café in downtown Gyumri, employs adults with disabilities to work in the community. The development officer and spokesperson is Sarah Stites, an Armenian diasporan who relocated from the Washington DC/Maryland area.

Finally, a valuable service is provided by Sonya and Peter Mitchell, diasporans from Australia, who travel throughout Armenia and film educational YouTube videos about Armenian life, mostly in the villages, giving Armenia international visibility.

It is important to address the shortage of teachers in physical sciences, engineering, public health, economics and international law in Armenia. Why not tap into the resources of Armenian human capital abroad? The educated children of the diaspora can contribute by teaching and connecting with universities, colleges and schools virtually. Our efforts should not be focused only on Yerevan’s educational institutions but also on the remote villages which are in dire need of attention and repopulation.

We are the children of the diaspora. Our expertise can offer invaluable benefits to the development of Armenia and Artsakh.




Asbarez: Glendale Arts Announces New Home at ace/121 Gallery

Andranik Taslakhchian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Arts & Culture, Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

Ace/121 Gallery, the new home of Glendale Arts


The non-profit will operate and program the Glendale gallery as a multidisciplinary arts and entertainment venue featuring exhibits, performances, and events.

GLENDALE—Glendale Arts announced its new home at ace/121 Gallery, an 800 square foot art gallery in the center of Glendale at the ace/121 artist colony. The property and gallery space, located at 121 N. Kenwood St., Glendale, CA 91206, opened in 2017.

Glendale Arts will operate and program ace/121 Gallery as a multidisciplinary venue, connecting artists and audiences by staging art exhibits, live performances, screenings, conversations, readings, classes, workshops, and special events, receptions, and parties. The Gallery will be open to the public and also available for rental use.

The award-winning non-profit has been at the forefront of delivering dynamic arts and entertainment programming on the stage and screen throughout its 15-year history. With the move to ace/121, Glendale Arts expands its mission of generating opportunities to showcase, promote, and create engagement around the performing and cinematic arts to the visual and fine arts space.

“We’re beyond thrilled to have Glendale Arts here to activate the Gallery with year-round exhibits, performances, and events,” said Nancy Goodhart, Chief Operations Officer of EngAGE, which curates arts-focused programs for ace/121 tenants. “Our residents at the colony and artists in the community and beyond are gaining a valuable resource and access to opportunities and experiences that Glendale Arts is uniquely positioned to offer.”

Additional announcements about ace/121 Gallery’s transformation into a vibrant hub of arts and entertainment programming are forthcoming.

ace/121 Gallery is a multidisciplinary venue located in the center of Glendale, CA at the ace/121 artist colony. The Gallery hosts year-round art exhibits, live performances, screenings, conversations, readings, classes, workshops, and special events. ace/121 Gallery is operated and programmed by Glendale Arts, an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit organization that generates opportunities to showcase, promote, and create engagement around the arts and entertainment in Glendale and throughout greater Los Angeles.

Glendale Arts (GA) is an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit organization that generates opportunities throughout greater Los Angeles to showcase, promote, encourage, and engage with the arts. Founded in 2008, GA delivers dynamic arts and entertainment programming through signature programs such as the Glendale International Film Festival and Solo Fest; operates and programs ace/121 Gallery, a multidisciplinary venue in Glendale, CA; and drives engagement through its membership program, SCENE. The organization marks its 15th year of connecting artists and audiences in 2023. Find out more on the Glendale Arts website or @GlendaleArtsCA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.