Category: News

A climate of tolerance and dialogue between the majority population and national minority groups generally prevails in Armenia, said the new published by the Council of Europe today. However, economic difficulties continue to adversely affect the population; more effort is required to ensure full access to education for all, and criminalise forced early marriages.

The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities () acknowledged the commitment of Armenian population and authorities to promoting the principles of equality and non-discrimination, including rights of national minorities. Notably, the amended constitution introduces a specific provision on the protection of the right to a national and ethnic identity; the new Electoral Code provides for parliamentary representation for the four largest national minorities in the country.

Other positive observations include the continued support of cultural projects and media for national minorities as well as improved possibilities for self-identification during the census of 2011 where the questions on ethnic affiliation and languages spoken were open-ended and optional. The Council of Europe experts also find it commendable that, in spite of economic difficulties, Armenia admitted into the country more than 20,000 people, mainly of Armenian and Assyrian descent, fleeing the conflict in Syria.

Newspapers and magazines in languages of national minorities continue to be published and the public radio broadcasts in minority languages. Support is provided to the artistic expressions of national minorities. However, the majority of cultural initiatives, although praiseworthy in themselves, tend to present a folkloristic picture of national minorities.

However, even though the authorities promote inter-ethnic tolerance and understanding in society, Armenia is widely perceived as a mono-ethnic homogenous and mono-religious state. This, coupled with lack of media attention, limits the visibility of minorities and leads to their side-lining.

The unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the closed borders with neighbouring states have led to socio-economic hardships, which are particularly acute in poorer regions in secluded mountainous areas, inhabited largely by the Yezidi national minority. This community has lately seen the most significant drop in numbers due to emigration. School drop-out rates for Yezidi children, in particular girls, continue to be high. The persisting tradition of arranged early marriages further undermines their chances of completing the compulsory 12-year education cycle.

Redoubling efforts to eliminate difficulties experiences by Yezidi children in access to education and reviewing legislation with a view to criminalising forced marriages conducted under pressure or abuse, are among recommendations for immediate action given by the Council of Europe experts to the Armenian authorities.

Other recommendations include ensuring participation of national minorities and civil society in preparing the new Law on National Minorities, which is called for under the revised Constitution, and other legislation, encouraging the use of minority languages in contacts with local administration, introducing a possibility of declaring multiple ethnic affiliations for future censuses, as well as reviewing criminal legislation to make racial hatred and other hate motives an aggravating circumstance for all crimes.

On 1 March Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received representatives of the Armenian foreign ministry’s central apparatus and diplomatic corps headed by foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan.

Foreign policy of the two Armenian states, the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict settlement and regional processes were touched upon during the meeting.

The Head of the State noted with satisfaction that such meetings had become traditional and took place in a periodic manner, highlighting their significance from the viewpoint of deepening cooperation between the RA and NKR in foreign policy sphere.

During the meeting President Sahakyan handed in NKR state awards to a group of diplomats of the Republic of Armenia foreign ministry for significant contribution to the process of the Artsakh Republic independence’s recognition.

On February 28, a telephone conversation between Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Artsakh and the Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic (TMR) Karen Mirzoyan and Vitaly Ignatyev took place at the initiative of the Transdniestrian side.

The TMR Foreign Minister appreciated the conduct as well as the results of the February 20 referendum held in Artsakh on the new draft Constitution in the context of consolidation of democratic values, respect for human rights and the rule of law and further development of the statehood. In turn, Karen Mirzoyan expressed his satisfaction with the active participation of the observation mission of the Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic in the referendum to monitor the voting process.

Vitaly Ignatyev expressed his deep concern over the attempted attack on the positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the early hours of February 25 and its consequences, as well as conveyed his support for the Artsakh side.

Karen Mirzoyan briefed his counterpart on the situation on the Line of Contact and the efforts of the Artsakh side aimed at stabilizing the situation and ensuring conditions for the resumption of the negotiations.

During the conversation, the TMR Foreign Minister also expressed his condolences in connection with the Armenian massacres committed 29 years ago in Sumgait, conveying his support for the relatives of those murdered or injured during the tragic events. The sides noted that the impunity of such crimes paves the way for new crimes against humanity.

The sides also discussed a range of issues related to the cooperation between the foreign offices, stressing the importance of further consolidation and expansion of the traditional friendly relations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

Photo: AFP

 

French centre-right presidential candidate Francois Fillon has said he will fight on, as he announced that a judge was placing him under formal investigation, the BBC reports.

For weeks, he has fought allegations that his wife was paid for years for work she did not do.

He has now been summoned to appear before the judge, Serge Tournaire, on 15 March.

“It’s a political assassination,” Mr Fillon complained.

Iran and Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on closer consular interaction around seven months after abolishing mutual visa regime, Tasnim News Agency reports.

New South Wealth Premier Gladys Berejiklian has posed for a fashion spread in The Australian Women’s Weekly, the reports.

According to the source, Berejiklian chose to wear a black dress by her close friend Carla Zampatti in the shot obtained by Fairfax Media. She also turned down a Giorgio Armani ensemble that had been borrowed for the shoot, instead preferring to be photographed in her own pink jacket bought from fast-fashion chain Zara.

“This is my lucky dress. I bought it on sale,” she told the magazine.

The Premier was interviewed for the corresponding feature twice and opens up about her father, her relatives in war-torn Aleppo and the decision to remain childless, an issue that is framed as her “life choice”.

“I’ve never made a conscious decision to choose work over other considerations. It’s just the way it’s happened in my life and I’m very happy with where I am,” she said.

“Although we are a national magazine, we chose to profile Gladys because she is only the 10th female state government leader ever and the second in NSW. We are fierce supporters of all women, whatever their politics,” The Australian Women’s Weekly’s editor-in-chief Kim Doherty told Fairfax Media.

“Gladys has a classic Australian story to tell. In these days of division over immigration, she is an inspiring success story. As she told us, she only spoke Armenian until the age of five.”

Photo: AFP

 

President Donald Trump has said the US is witnessing a “renewal of the American spirit”, as he delivered his first speech to Congress, the BBC reports.

Adopting a measured, upbeat tone, the Republican president spoke of a “new chapter of American greatness”.

Mr Trump condemned recent vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and a shooting in Kansas that left an Indian man dead.

His primetime address sought to bolster his low approval ratings after a bumpy start to his fledgling presidency.

At the outset of Tuesday night’s hour-long speech, Mr Trump tackled recent suspected hate crimes, saying “we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its very ugly forms”.

At the outset of Tuesday night’s hour-long speech, Mr Trump tackled recent suspected hate crimes, saying “we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its very ugly forms”.

On immigration, he dangled the intriguing possibility of a major policy shift towards a goal that eluded his two predecessors, insisting that “real and positive” reform was possible.

That line came hours after he told news anchors off the record at a White House lunch that he might be open to granting legal status to undocumented immigrants.

In his remarks on Capitol Hill, the president also talked tough on the issue, pledging to make US communities safer “by finally enforcing our immigration laws”.

He defended his early actions in office, touting his moves to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and order work to start on a US-Mexico border wall.

Britain’s upper house of parliament defeated Prime Minister Theresa May’s government on Wednesday, voting in favour of a change to her Brexit plan that says she can only trigger exit talks if she promises to protect the rights of EU citizensm, Reuters reports.

The House of Lords voted 358 to 256 to make an amendment to the “European Union (Notification of Withdrawal Bill)” – legislation that will give May the power to trigger the legal process of leaving the EU.

The change requires the government to publish proposals on how to protect EU citizens currently living in Britain – including their residency rights – within three months of triggering exit negotiations.

May’s Conservatives do not have a majority in the upper chamber.

Three of Manchester United’s signings from last summer are competing for the club’s latest Player of the Month award, according to the club’s official website. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba are the nominees for February; when the same trio contested the prize in December, the Swedish striker came out on top.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 6 (1) appearances  / 7 goals / 2 Man-of-the-Match awards
United’s top scorer has been in scintillating form in front of goal, adding to his first hat-trick for the club in the home Europa League tie against Saint-Etienne with a key brace at Wembley in the EFL Cup final victory over Southampton. Ibrahimovic also scored at Leicester City and came off the bench to knock Blackburn Rovers out of the Emirates FA Cup, and he provided an assist for Anthony Martial in the win over Watford.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 5 appearances / 2 goals / 2 Man-of-the-Match awards
After some splendid performances in February, it was such a pity that injury ruled the Armenian attacker out of the EFL Cup final. Earlier in the month, he finished clinically past Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel after a driving run and set up Marcus Rashford at Blackburn with a glorious pass, and was voted Man of the Match on both occasions. Mkhitaryan’s classy first-half goal at Saint-Etienne effectively ended the Europa League tie in France and he now hopes to win his first Player-of-the-Month award since joining the Reds from Borussia Dortmund.

Paul Pogba – 6 (1) appearances / 0 goals / 1 Man-of-the-Match award
The French star performed in both deep and attacking midfield roles during February and showed his skills throughout. He helped turn the FA Cup game at Ewood Park in United’s favour when appearing as a substitute and looking a class above, creating Ibrahimovic’s winner with a delightful through ball. A Man-of-the-Match display followed in his homeland as he came out on top in the battle with his brother Florentin’s side and he was a powerhouse again in the EFL Cup final at Wembley despite the Reds’ taxing schedule.

You can . The result will be announced on ManUtd.com on Friday afternoon.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has thanked Manchester United fans for their support as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.

The Armenian midfielder picked up a knock after netting the only goal of the game in a Europa League clash with Saint-Etienne.

Having trudged off the field in France, Mkhitaryan was then forced to sit out Sunday’s dramatic victory over Southampton in the League Cup final.