Category: 2023

Lisa Gulesserian delivering her powerful remarks at the November 18 protest (Photo courtesy of Zoravik)

Note: This speech was delivered on behalf of Zoravik at the activists’ protest/vigil at the JFK Federal Building in Boston, Massachusetts on November 18, 2023.

We are here today because the international community, including our own United States Congress and State Department, failed to protect the lives and livelihoods of an indigenous people. The state of Massachusetts has failed not only the Massachusett people from whom land and resources were stolen in order for us to stand in front of this Federal Building today; Massachusetts and the United States have now failed the Armenians of Artsakh (also called “Nagorno-Karabakh”).  

While the world watched and did nothing in the South Caucasus, a historically Armenian majority territory with a 4,000-year-old history was blockaded, gutted and depopulated of its indigenous Armenian population by a genocidal, authoritarian regime—Azerbaijan. 

No one did anything when Azerbaijan attacked Armenians in Artsakh and bombed them for 44 days straight in 2020. 

No one did anything while Azerbaijan captured, held and tortured Armenian prisoners of war, many of whom have been held captive for over three years since the end of the war in 2020. 

No one did anything when authoritarian Azerbaijan challenged Armenia’s sovereignty and deployed troops into the fledgling democratic country. 

No one did anything when Azerbaijan imposed an illegal blockade on Nagorno-Karabakh by closing the Lachin Corridor, the region’s lifeline to Armenia. 

No one did anything when, for nine months of blockade, Azerbaijan starved and terrorized Armenians in Artsakh. 

And no one did anything when on September 19 Azerbaijan launched another attack on the tired and malnourished civilian population of Artsakh. Emergency United Nations Security Council meetings did nothing. 

Two separate Congressional hearings with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission did nothing. Our Congress and State Department did nothing to stop Azerbaijan from seizing Artsakh and ethnically cleansing the region of over 100,000 of its Armenian inhabitants. 100,000 Armenians are now refugees who were forced to leave their ancestral home because they would never be safe under Azerbaijani rule, under the rule of a genocidal regime hellbent on destroying them.

We are horrified by what the world and our government have allowed to happen to the Armenians of Artsakh, despite years of warnings from almost all genocide prevention experts and NGOs who foresaw the disaster taking place amid the willful blindness of the international community. 

World leaders and powerful stakeholders are complicit in Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh by providing diplomatic cover for and not intervening against Azerbaijan’s violent takeover of a region that had never been under Azerbaijani rule before Stalin placed it there in order to undermine Armenian security, a region that has seen millennia of Armenian culture and history, a region where the Armenian alphabet has been continuously taught since the fifth century.  

Thumbing their noses at human decency, key world leaders traded import of oil and gas from Azerbaijan for complicity in the destruction of the Armenians of Artsakh. They show every sign of doing the same as Azerbaijan now looks to do the same to the Armenian Republic, starting with its southern area.

It is not just that the U.S. Congress and State Department have done nothing to protect Armenians. The United States actively built the military of Azerbaijan over decades with hundreds of millions of dollars in US military aid. The U.S. thus had a direct role in helping  Azerbaijan reach its genocidal goals. 

Three decades ago, the U.S. Congress passed Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which prohibits military assistance to Azerbaijan because of Azerbaijani aggression toward Armenia and Artsakh. Yet, successive U.S. administrations have used their waiver power to continue the immense military support of Azerbaijan.  

This includes the Trump administration, which did so even as Azerbaijan launched a massive military invasion of Artsakh and Armenia in 2020, and the Biden administration, as Azerbaijan continued military operations against Armenia and Azerbaijan, imposed a military blockade to starve the Armenians of Artsakh out and, when that failed, launched another massive military operation to complete the ethnic cleansing of Armenians.

The U.S. administration and Congress should not stand idly by while Azerbaijan completes its genocidal goals. The United States can and should permanently cease all security assistance and weapons sales to Azerbaijan in light of its human rights violations and repeated hostilities. This is the least we can do, and we demand that our executive and congressional representatives do something: Enforce Section 907 and stop sending money and selling arms to a genocidal regime!

Along with ceasing all monetary and military aid to Azerbaijan, we also call on Congress and the administration to immediately sanction Azerbaijan for its crimes. We have used sanctions against Russia and Russian oligarchs for their aggression against Ukraine. It’s time to use the same strategy against another authoritarian, power-hungry leader and his family and cronies. We demand that our congressional representatives and administration do something: Sanction Ilham Aliyev and his family NOW!

With sanctions against the Aliyev clan and no more aid for Azerbaijan, Armenians might have a future. But the Armenians of Artsakh who fled Azerbaijani persecution need help NOW. The elderly sleeping in the streets and the malnourished children need immediate humanitarian assistance, and the paltry 11.5 million that USAID just promised to send to help ease the plight of Armenians is not enough. We demand that our congressional representatives do more: Send more humanitarian assistance to Armenia NOW! If we could give hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Azerbaijan to help cause this catastrophe, the least we can do is send adequate aid to save the lives of those directly victimized by it.

The U.S. Congress and State Department have the chance to right their wrongs. We demand that our congressional representatives and the administration do something to help the beleaguered Armenians of Artsakh and the besieged country of Armenia.

You can do something too: call your representatives and demand they support bipartisan HR 5686, which calls for sanctions against Azerbaijan and $30 million in humanitarian aid to Armenians. 

Call your representatives to support HR 5683, which authorizes military financing for Armenia and repeals section 907, ending military aid to Azerbaijan.

To learn more ways to support Artsakh Armenians, visit ArtsakhSOS.com.

One of our challenges as a global nation is to express public empathy and support for those experiencing the horror of man’s inhumanity. There should be a special bond between peoples who have suffered unspeakable atrocities, but it is not always a certainty. Armenians have for too long been mired in our own tragedies. Where were we when the Bosnia, Darfur or Rwanda genocides were happening and in their aftermaths? The unspoken excuse may be that there are limited cultural or political intersections to spur our interest. Apparently, our common existence as humans is not sufficient. There needs to be a relationship, common history or geopolitical connection for most nations, including Armenians, to stand up. This is unfortunate and reflects our need to mature as a global community. Tragically, the instability of our world affords us many opportunities to stand against oppression and atrocities. As victims of genocide, we should be the first to oppose violations of the human dignity of others. Shared interests are the key to political alliances, yet we remain silent.

The Kurds have been victims of atrocities in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. We have much in common with the Kurds considering the oppressive policies committed by the Turks and our geographic proximity. Instead of recognizing the protection that Kurds provided to many Armenian villages in northern Syria during the ISIS incursion, we focus on the complicity of some Kurdish tribes during the Genocide. Rather than connect with the Kurds in southeastern Turkey for their local support to rebuild Soorp Giragos church in Diyarbakır, for example, we remain focused on the past. Is this an ethnic bias, anti-Muslim perspective or do we need to desperately upgrade our political thinking? 

The current Israel-Hamas war is another opportunity for us to end our silence. I would prefer to label this conflict as Israeli-Palestinian. With over 15,000 Palestinians dead (70-percent of the victims are women and children), I think it qualifies as a broader conflict than simply targeting Hamas. The western media likes the term Hamas, since it fits the public narrative that this is a war between a nation defending itself against terrorists. It downplays the incredible “collateral damage” to civilians, justified by a search for hidden militants within the general population. No one can justify the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas. It is an extreme group with foreign funding that is bent on destruction. Yet discussions as to why an extreme group governs the densely populated Gaza Strip typically whitewash all Palestinians as hate-driven racists. The Palestinians are a very cultured people with legitimate rights, yet they are portrayed as either terrorists or merely existing. 

Extremes usually come to power as a response to dysfunction or a loss of hope. The Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank have been deceived and betrayed by many parties in the region and have emerged with a bitter view of life. The Israeli relationship with the Palestinians is a matter of control through subjugation. When Israel decided to “leave” Gaza, it sealed it off from the world, controlling the flow of energy, water and food. Gaza is a virtual prison, and its young people are filled with despair. Maintaining this environment is not in the interests of Israel or Palestine. It breeds mistrust, anger and an endless supply of youth who see fighting as the only answer. Netanyahu is a controversial figure with his own set of legal problems in Israel. The discontent of common Israeli citizens with his policies and drive for judicial reform is masked today, as the nation is consumed with the Palestinian war. His policies of land grabbing and illegal settlements are well documented, reflecting his long-term objective of reducing the Palestinian presence. 

With two extremes governing Gaza and Israel, the region remains a powder keg for violence. Moderate leaders are needed to build confidence. What is the end point of Netanyahu’s campaign of horrific violence? Is it the eradication of Hamas or the permanent displacement of the Gaza Palestinians? Even with the former, what is the governing plan? Netanyahu has already stated that the Palestinian Authority that governs the West Bank is unacceptable. Keeping the Palestinians divided serves a more nefarious purpose and is not in the long-term interests of Israelis.

Where are Armenians relative to the latest outbreak of violence in the Middle East? Our relationships with the two adversaries are quite complicated. Armenians, particularly here in the United States, have always had an affinity for the Jewish people. There are natural connections as victims of genocide and the common cultural attribute of entrepreneurship. Armenians and Jews in America are generally well-educated and are the product of strong traditional family values and Judeo-Christian tradition. The challenges lie in the political impact of Israel’s policies. Many Jews are appalled by the Israeli government’s aggression. Others are aligned with their homeland. For Armenians, a gap has emerged between respecting the Jewish people while disagreeing with the policies of the Jewish state. Israel has not only refused to recognize the Armenian Genocide but has actively worked over the years to prevent its recognition in the U.S. This policy is shameful given our shared history with genocide. In addition, Israel is a major arms and technology provider to the terrorist state of Azerbaijan, which has resulted directly in the loss of Armenian lives and territory. Azerbaijan and Israel’s swap of energy and spy capabilities for military aid is painful for Armenians. The current controversy in the Armenian quarter of Jerusalem only further complicates an already tense interplay.

“From Artsakh to Gaza, No More Genocide” (Armenian Action Network, Twitter)

The Armenian-Palestinian relationship is equally complicated, with diverse views within our community. Many Armenians maintain an unfortunate anti-Muslim bias based on historical conflicts. With this perspective, we tend to forget that it was the Arab nations that welcomed Armenians after the Genocide. In the West Bank, where Armenians maintain responsibility for many churches and holy sites, the Palestinian Authority has been very supportive over the years and provided the small Armenian presence a counterbalance to the difficult situation facing Christians. 

In the U.S., the current dilemma illustrates that it is dangerous and inappropriate to paint anti-Semitism and opposing Israeli policies with the same brush. Generalizations regarding race and ethnicity are a convenient tactic to put critics on the defensive. I believe Israel has a right to exist and defend itself, and we should all have empathy in response to instances of anti-Semitism. Likewise, Palestinians have a right to live in dignity with self-determination. Removing those inalienable rights by force will lead to resistance (remember our fedayees and our Artsakh heroes) and is not in the best interests of either party.

Hamas came to power as an extreme group several years ago in part due to the horrendous conditions in Gaza. Their rise to power led to extreme acts that cannot be condoned. Prior to the establishment of Israel, the Zionists were frustrated by the British position on establishing a Jewish state. Menachem Begin, who later became prime minister of Israel, was leader of the Irgun military group that implemented terrorist activities, the most significant being an attack on the British HQ at the King David hotel, where many civilians died. He became a wanted man but was a hero to his fellow Jewish nationalists. This history, however, does not justify the deaths of the innocent in the Hamas attacks. Nothing can rationalize such horrific violence. Likewise, the eradication of Hamas does not give the government of Israel the license to conduct a scorched earth policy in Gaza and continue land grabbing and oppression in the West Bank. With the massive number of casualties, the war has transitioned from self-defense to atrocity revenge. 

Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas on earth. 2.3 million people live on a small strip of land. Palestinians living in the north were told to move to the south, which was subsequently bombed beyond human comprehension. Now there is nothing to return to, except a replica of Dresden in WWII. What is the end point if Hamas is removed and the Palestinian Authority is unacceptable? The permanent displacement of these people, with the establishment of buffer zones or deportation paths to Egypt, is criminal. The United States, the major military and diplomatic ally of Israel, has made it clear that it is unacceptable to permanently displace the Palestinians, but Armenians in Artsakh heard those same empty words. For the oppressed, trust is a difficult response when you are fighting for survival.

Armenians must be more active in opposing atrocities and violations of basic human rights. If we expect the world to respect our rights, then we need to reciprocate when appropriate. Unchecked aggression will leave thousands of innocent Israelis and Palestinians dead, with a destroyed infrastructure in Gaza. The construction of more refugee camps and dependence on humanitarian aid to assist the millions displaced will only generate more anger, frustration and revenge. Where is the leadership with the leverage to stop the violence and end the oppression?

Supplying arms to Israel has made the United States appear complicit in the eyes of those on the receiving end of the carpet bombing. Netanyahu is obsessed with destruction. Is this his way of covering for his gross lapses in security? It pains me to discuss this with my Jewish friends, but generations have not known peace in Israel. The demonstrations organized by Jews seeking a ceasefire should be an eye opener for all of us. They have a right to be war weary, as are the Palestinians. This problem will not be solved by denying human rights to one group. While the political and humanitarian complexities are sorted out, we must stand against what is wrong. Armenians should internalize the many parallels with the plight of the Palestinians. Supporting Palestinian rights is not anti-Semitic. It is possible to support the rights of Israel and the rights of Palestinians. It is also appropriate to be critical when human rights are violated. We can earn respect by showing respect.

Protester outside of the National Assembly building during the NA State and Legal Committee Session holds a sign that reads, “The Republic of Armenia Constitution forbids recognizing Artsakh as a part of Azerbaijan” (Hayakve, December 4, 2023)

YEREVAN—The Republic of Armenia’s National Assembly State Legal Committee, on December 4, 2023, decided to reject the “Hayakve” project. This project was initiated earlier in the summer by a coalition of Armenian public, cultural and political figures, aiming to criminalize the recognition of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. The initiative also sought to maintain consistent attention on the Artsakh issue and the Armenian Genocide within the national discourse.

The suggested modifications to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia proposed the addition of two new articles. Article 1 proposed the incorporation of Articles 420.1 and 420.2 into the existing Criminal Code of Armenia. Article 420.1 states that “recognizing Artsakh as part of any other state on behalf of the Republic of Armenia is punishable by imprisonment for ten to fifteen years.” Article 420.2 pertains to penalties, including imprisonment for 10-15 years for refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide or public denial, justification or belittling of the Armenian Genocide on behalf of the Republic of Armenia. Article 2 stated that this law would come into effect 10 days after its official publication.

The “Hayakve” movement gained significant traction, with approximately 58,000 citizens of the Republic of Armenia supporting the cause to uphold Artsakh’s Armenian identity. On November 24, project coordinators presented these amassed signatures to the National Assembly, seeking hearings on the matter. However, during the State Legal Committee session of the RA National Assembly, members of Parliament from the ruling party voted against the project, delaying further discussions for a period of two months.

Civil Contract MPs in favor of rejecting the proposed bill argued that the initiative does not align with the country’s interests. They characterized it as a populist measure, emotionally driven, unrelated to Armenia’s state interests and potentially provocative towards Azerbaijan, anticipating adverse consequences such as new aggression. 

This decision sparked controversy, particularly as it occurred amidst ongoing tensions in the region. While some members of the ruling party have maintained conciliatory tones towards Azerbaijan, Armenia has continued to suffer casualties due to enemy fire.

At approximately 2:35 p.m. on December 4, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire towards an Armenian position in the Bardzruni region of the Vayots Dzor province. Gerasim Avetiki Arakelyan, a soldier serving in the Nth military unit of the RA Defense Force, suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The soldier was injured by an enemy sniper shot in the chest area and died in the hospital. Authorities have launched an immediate investigation to thoroughly unravel the circumstances surrounding this event.

Artsvik Minasian, a parliament member representing the opposition Hayastan alliance, has leveled accusations against the Civil Contract party. He alleged that the ruling party deceived Armenian voters who supported it in the June 2021 general elections, arguing that Civil Contract, in its election manifesto, committed to championing the right to self-determination for Artsakh Armenians.

Asked about the potential outcomes of passing the bill and its impact on Artsakh’s control, the former State Minister and Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan expressed that its approval would signify Armenia’s acknowledgment and defense of the people of Artsakh’s right to self-determination. He emphasized that Armenia’s acceptance of this bill would set a significant precedent, indicating that no international entity would establish a higher standard than Armenia itself.

Amidst discussions surrounding the “Hayakve” bill, Tsolak Akopyan, a former vice-rector at Brusov State University in Armenia and member of the “Hayakve” initiative group, faced attempted detainment by authorities in Armenia on December 1. Facing accusations of academic misconduct and of allegedly substituting for an absent lecturer during exams, he was placed in administrative control after his defenders prevented his arrest. His detention, seen as politically motivated, comes amidst Akopyan’s affiliation with the initiative seeking to criminalize recognizing Artsakh as part of another state. His supporters have urged solidarity, calling for support from academia, former students, international human rights groups and the courts to address what they perceive as unjust persecution.

The rejection of the “Hayakve” project reflects a broader political landscape, where the government, accused of sidelining the Armenian Genocide issue and downplaying the Artsakh situation, appears reluctant to pass any legislation that might condemn anti-Armenian positions. This rejection aligns with the government’s strategy, seemingly prioritizing diplomatic relations over addressing historical and territorial grievances and the present humanitarian catastrophe facing the people of Artsakh.

Shant Charshafjian, who was living in Artsakh during the blockade and is the founder of the Lorik Humanitarian Fund, is currently spearheading the “Homes for Artsakh” initiative aimed at rebuilding Artsakh’s Armenian communities by providing homes and livelihoods, expressed his frustration in an interview with the Armenian Weekly. 

Citing government announcements welcoming foreign nationals and an apparent growth in Armenia’s population, Charshafjian criticized the government’s failure to retain Artsakh residents. He said the government issues work visas to foreign nationals while neglecting to provide job opportunities for the Armenians of Artsakh.

Charshafjian emphasized that political motivations have caused issues even while planning seemingly innocuous events like puppet shows for kids in the Syunik province. He claimed that due to perceived political affiliations with the de facto regime, schools and their principals face hindrances in organizing activities, causing distress among children.

Charshafjian expressed grievances about the lack of support and aid for Artsakh residents. Challenges include integration into the workforce, bureaucratic hurdles and inadequate housing support, painting a grim picture of Artsakh residents’ plight.

Following his return to Armenia following a 10-month blockade in Artsakh, Charshafjian noted his frustration over the prevailing circumstances, denouncing the prioritization of increasing police presence over vital sectors like education and military development. He criticized the government’s response to the ongoing crises, particularly regarding the government’s silence and inaction on critical issues such as the lack of substantial efforts to secure the release of Armenian prisoners of war that continue to be held inhumanely in Baku. 

Charshafjian highlighted the dire situation faced by Artsakh residents in Syunik, citing uncertainty over their future due to impending threats and government inaction. He questioned the leadership’s commitment to peace and its new “Crossroads of Peace” plan amid ongoing threats and the absence of concrete actions to protect Armenian citizens.

The interview concluded on a precarious note, with Charshafjian cautioning against the direction Armenia is heading under current leadership and the unaddressed challenges facing Artsakh residents.

This year, the Armenian Students’ Association (ASA) awarded $155,000 in scholarships to 32 deserving students of Armenian descent enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States of America. 

The Board of Trustees would like to thank the many generous benefactors who have made it possible for the ASA to assist our young men and women in their educational pursuits. During the past decade, the Association, through its Scholarship Committee, has been able to award over $1,000,000 in outright scholarship grants.

The Scholarship Grant Program is the hallmark of the Association’s mission. Please consider supporting this vital program, especially as tuitions continue to increase. Your gift will have an immediate impact and give a lifetime of returns. Donations may be made online or via mail by check made payable to the Armenian Students’ Association of America, Inc., 588 Boston Post Road, Suite 364, Weston, MA 02493.

ASA Scholarship Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are available on our website or by emailing [email protected]. Completed applications with all documentation must be submitted to the ASA by March 15, 2024.

Scholarship Recipients 2023

Vartan Avedoumian – Drake University, Data Analytics

Davit Azizyan – University of Minnesota, Political Science 

Sona Bardakjian – Boston College, Communications

Karo Boyadzhyan – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Ashkhen Chamasanyan – California State University at Fresno, Master’s in Counseling

Kristin Dermenjian – UPenn Wharton School of Business, Strategic Management

Ava Gallagher – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Lori Ganjian – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Biology/Biotechnology

Hannah Gantz – Wake Forest University, Medical Doctor

Garen Hamamjian – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Hayk Hovhannisyan – Western Governors University, Cyber Security / Information Assurance

Alec Kellzi – University of Southern California, Law

Hayk Kocharyan – Harvard University, Master’s in Learning, Design, Innovation and Technology

Nikolas Kojoian – Northeastern University, Industrial Engineering

Ava Kooloian – Tulane University, Communications

Armen Manuk-Khaloyan – Georgetown University, Ph.D. History

Hayk Mardanyan – University of Minnesota, Master’s in Public Policy

Zareh Mirzayan – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Master’s of Divinity

Hovhannes Mnatsakanyan – University of California-Davis, Ph.D. Resource Economics

Alec Ohanian – UC San Francisco School of Medicine, Medical Doctor/Master’s in Public Health

Katerina Ohanyan – LIM College, Fashion Merchandising

Angineh Parsadanians – Virginia Tech, Ph.D. Crop, Soil and Environmental Science

Arin Parsanian – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Armine Poghosyan – Virginia Tech, Ph.D. Econometric/Quantitative Economics

Edgar Sahakian – University of California Los Angeles, Psychology

Radik Sarukhanyan – Fordham University, Law

Arin Shahbazian – Virginia Tech, Ph.D. Economics

Arman Shirikyan – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Nora Suren – University of Massachusetts Amherst, Communications

Gary Taraian – Nova Southwestern University, Computer Science

Boghos Taslakjian – University of Chicago, Master’s in Molecular Engineering

Ofelia Yeghiyan – Michigan State University, Political Science

ASA Silver Medal Awards

In addition to scholarships, the Armenian Students’ Association Silver Medal Award Committee selected three high school seniors to receive the Silver Medal Award.

• John Levon Kurkjian, Weston, MA, Weston High School; entering the University of Rhode Island 
• Vardui Izabell Tenekedzhyan, Watertown, MA, Watertown High School; entering Bentley University
• John Aram Varin, Cranston, RI, Cranston High School East; entering Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The Silver Medal Awards are awarded annually to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic ability. Applications for the Silver Medal Awards can be obtained at www.asainc.org. Deadline for submitting applications and documentation is May 1, 2024.