The law on national and ethnic minorities and regional languages

Polish News Bulletin
Feb 23, 2005

Dated 6 January 2005

Journal of Laws No 17, item 141

(continued from last issue)

Art. 23.1. The Joint Government and National and Ethnic Minorities
Commission is hereby established as an opinion-advisory body to the Prime
Minister, hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Commission”.

2. Task of the Joint Commission shall include:

1) expressing opinion in the affairs of rights and needs of minorities
including evaluating the methods of realizing the rights and formulating
proposals in the scope of actions striving to ensure realizing of minority
rights and needs;

2) giving opinion on programs for creating conditions conducive to
preserving and developing the minority and preserving and developing
regional languages cultural identity;

3) giving opinion on draft legal acts concerning minority affairs;

4) giving opinion on the level and principles of allocating funds devoted
by the state budget for supporting actions for protecting, preserving and
developing the cultural identity of minorities and preserving and
developing regional languages;

5) undertaking actions for counteracting discrimination of persons
belonging to minorities.

3. For the purpose of realizing its tasks the Joint Commission:

1) cooperates with public administration and territorial local government
organs and with the interested social organizations;

2) may apply to institutions, institutes and academic circles and social
organizations in particular for opinion, positions, expertise or
information;

3) may invite representatives of territorial local government units, social
organizations and academic circles to participate in its work.

Art. 24.1. The Joint Commission shall be composed of:

1) representatives of public administration organs:

a) the minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities,

b) the minister proper for public administration,

c) the minister proper for culture and protection of the national heritage,

d) the minister proper for education and raising,

e) the minister proper for public finances,

f) the minister proper for labor,

g) the Minister of Justice,

h) the minister proper for internal affairs,

i) the minister proper for social security,

j) the minister proper for foreign affairs,

k) the President of the Main Statistical Office,

l) the Council for Preserving Memory of Struggle and Martyrdom

m) the Head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery;

2) representatives of minorities in the following number:

a) two of the Byelorussian,

b) one of the Czech,

c) two of Lithuanian,

d) two of German,

e) one of Armenian,

f) one of Russian,

g) one of Slovakian,

h) two of Ukrainian,

i) one of Jewish,

j) one of the Karaite,

k) one of the Lemki,

l) two of the Romas,

m) one of the Tatars;

3) two representatives of communities using the language referred to in
art. 19;

4) the secretary of the Joint Commission who is an employee of the office
servicing the minister proper for religion and national and ethnic
minorities.

2. The Prime Minister shall appoint and dismiss members of the Joint
Committee on application of the minister proper for religion and national
and ethnic minorities.

3. The minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities
shall inform organs referred to in sec. 1 point 1 and minority
organizations and communities using languages referred to in art. 19 on the
intent to apply to the Prime Minister with the application referred to in
sec. 2.

4. Organs referred to in sec. 1 point 1 shall notify their candidates for
members of the Joint Commission to the minister proper for religion and
national and ethnic minorities within 90 days from receipt of the
notification referred to in sec. 3.

5. Particular minorities referred to in art. 2 and communities using the
language referred to in art. 19 shall notify their candidates for members
of the Joint Commission representing the given minority or community using
languages referred to in art. 19 to the minister proper for religion and
national and ethnic minorities in the number set down for the minority of
for the community accordingly in sec. 1 point 2 or point 3 within 90 days
from the date of receiving the notification referred to in sec. 3.

6. Where within the time limit set down by sec. 5 a minority or community
using languages referred to in art. 19 does not notify their candidates of
notifies a number of candidates other than set down accordingly for the
minority by sec. 1 point 2 and for communities by sec. 1 point 3 the
minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities shall
present to the minority or community for opinion his candidates for members
of the Joint Commission representing the minority or community. In case of
no opinion given by the minority or community within 30 days from the date
of presenting candidates by the minister proper for religion and national
and ethnic minorities the requirement shall be assumed to be satisfied.

7. In applications referred to in sec. 2 the minister proper for religion
and national and ethnic minorities shall indicate as candidates for Joint
Commission member only persons notified by organs referred to in sec. 1
point 1 and minorities and communities using languages referred to in
art. 19, save for sec. 6, as well as candidates for secretary of the Joint
Commission.

At. 25.1. The minister proper for religion and national and ethnic
minorities shall apply to the Prime Minister with applications for
dismissing members of the Joint Committee in case of:

1) resignation from membership of the Joint Commission;

2) applying by the organs or minorities and communities using languages
referred to in art. 19 whose representative is the member to the minister
proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities with a justified
application for dismissing members from the Joint Commission;

3) convicting a member by a valid court verdict for crimes committed
willfully.

2. Joint commission membership shall expire upon death.

3. In case of expiry of membership in the Joint Commission or dismissing a
member, the Prime Minister on application of the minister proper for
religion and national and ethnic minorities shall appoint a new member of
the Joint Commission. Provisions of art. 24 sec. 2 ? 7 shall apply
accordingly.

Art. 26. The Council of Ministers may include, by ordinance,
representatives of public administration organs other than referred to in
art. 24 sec. 1 point1 in the Joint Commission. Provisions of art. 24
sec. 2, 3 and 7 and art. 25 shall apply accordingly to appointing and
dismissing members of the Joint Commission.

Art. 27.1. Co-chairmen of the Joint Commission shall be representatives of
the minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities and
representatives of minorities and communities using languages referred to
in art. 19 elected by members of the joint Commission referred to in
art. 24 sec. 1 point 2 and 3.

2. Co-chairmen of the Joint Commission shall be appointed and dismissed by
the Prime Minister on application of the minister proper for religion and
national and ethnic minorities.

Art. 28.1. Joint Commission sessions shall be held at least once every 6
months.

2. Sessions shall be convened by co-chairmen of the Joint Commission being
the representatives of the minister proper for religion and national and
ethnic minorities on own initiative or on application of the co-chairman
being rep resentatives of minorities and representatives of minorities and
communities using languages referred to in art. 19.

3. In order to prepare a joint position minorities and communities using
languages referred to in art. 19, co-chairmen being representatives of the
minority or community may convene sessions participated by only members of
the Joint Commission referred to in art. 24 sec. 1 point 2 and 3. The
position shall be immediately delivered to other members of the Joint
Commission by the co-chairman.

4. In order to prepare a joint position of the public administration, the
co-chairman being the representative of the minister proper for religion
and national and ethnic minorities may convene sessions participated only
by members of the Joint commission referred to in art. 24 sec. 1 point
1. The position shall be immediately delivered to other members of the
Joint Commission by the co-chairman.

5. Positions referred to in sec. 3 and 4 as well as opinions referred to in
art. 23 sec. 2 shall be delivered to the Prime Minister and the Council of
Ministers.

6. The detailed by-laws of the Joint commission shall be set down, by
order, by the Prime Minister.

Art. 29.1. Members of the Joint Commission shall not be remunerated due to
membership in the Joint Commission.

2. Representatives of minority organizations and communities using
languages referred to in art. 19 participating in the work of the Joint
Commission are entitled to refund of travel and accommodation on principles
set down by provisions on the level and conditions for determining payment
for employees of state or local government budget sphere units for official
domestic trips, issued pursuant to art. 77 of the Labor Code.

Art. 30.1. The organizational-technical servicing of the work of the Joint
Commission shall be ensured by the minister proper for religion and
national and ethnic minorities.

2. Costs of operation of the Joint Commission shall be covered by the state
budget in the part at the disposal of the minister proper for religion and
national and ethnic minorities.

Art. 31.1. Public administration, territorial local government organs and
minority organizations and communities using languages referred to in
art. 19 shall deliver to the minister proper for religion and national and
ethnic minorities, on minister application, information in the scope of
activities of the organs or organizations and concerning the situation of
the minorities and communities using languages referred to in art. 19 or
realization of tasks in favor of minorities or preserving and developing
languages referred to in art. 19.

2. The scope of information referred to in sec. 1 shall be subject to
opinion by the Joint Commission.

3. The minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities
shall prepare a report at least once every two years on the situation of
minorities in Poland taking into account information referred to in
sec. 1. Reports shall be subject to opinion by the Joint Commission.

4. Reports with opinions referred to in sec. 3 shall be delivered to the
Council of Ministers and ? after approving the report by the Council of
Ministers ? published by the minister proper for religion and national and
ethnic minorities in electronic form.

Art. 32. Public administration, territorial local government organs and
non-government organizations shall deliver documents to voivods for opinion
on programs realized with their participation in the voivodship area
concerning minorities or preserving and developing languages referred to in
art. 19 financed in whole or in part by public funds. – Chapter 6Amendments
to provisions in force, transitory and final provisions

Art. 33. In the law of 15 November 1956 on changes in names and surnames
(Journal of Laws of 1963 No 59, item 328, as amended) in art,. 2 a sec. 3
is added to read:

“3. Important considerations shall also occur where applicants intend to
return to names or surnames the change of which occurred due to their
non-Polish wording as a result of administrative decisions made without
their application.”.

Art. 34. In the law of 7 September 1991 on the education system (Journal of
Laws of 2004 No 256, item 2572, as amended) in art. 13 a sec. 6 and 7 shall
be added to read:

“6. The minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities
shall undertake actions for the purpose of ensuring the possibility of
educating teachers and access to textbooks for the requirements of schools
and public institutions referred to in sec. 1.

7. The minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities
shall undertake actions for the purpose of promoting knowledge of history,
culture, language and on religious traditions of national and ethnic
minorities and communities using regional languages.”.

Art. 35. In the law of 29 December 1992 on radio and television (Journal of
Laws of 2004 No 253, item 2531) the following amendments are introduced:

1) in art. 21:

a) in sec. 1a a point 8a is added to tread:

“8a. taking into account the needs of national and ethnic minorities and
communities using regional languages including broadcasting information
programs in the languages of national and ethnic minorities and in regional
languages;”,

b) in sec. 2 point 9 shall be repealed;

2) in art. 20 a sec. 4a is added to read:

“4a. In appointing program councils of branches broadcasting programs in
the languages of national and ethnic minorities and in regional languages
branch directors shall take into account candidates notified by social
organizations of national and ethnic minorities and communities using
regional languages.”.

Art. 36. In the law of 4 September 1997 on public administration sectors
(Journal of Laws of 2003 No 159, item 1548, as amended) the following
amendments are introduced:

1) in art. 5 point 25 shall read:

“25) religious beliefs and national and ethnic minorities;”;

2) art. 30 shall read:

“Art. 30. Sector religion and national and ethnic minorities include the
following:

1) State – Catholic Church relations and other churches and religious
unions;

2) connected with preserving and development of the cultural identity of
national and ethnic minorities and preserving and developing regional
languages.”.

Art. 37. In the law of 7 October 1999 on the Polish language (Journal of
Laws No 90, item 999, as amended) in art. 2 point 2 shall read:

“2) rights of national and ethnic minorities and communities using regional
languages.”.

Art. 38. In the law of 29 August 2003 on official names of localities and
physiographic objects (Journal of Laws No 166, item 1612) in art. 5 in
sec. 1 after point 5 a point 6 is added to read:

“6) the secretary of the Joint Government and National and Ethnic Minority
Commission established pursuant to provisions of art. 23 of the law of 6
January 2005 on national and ethnic minorities and on regional languages
(Journal of Laws No 17, item 141).”.

Art. 39. The minister proper for religion and national and ethnic
minorities shall notify organs referred to in art. 24 sec. 1 point 1 and
minority organizations and communities using languages referred to in
at. 19 on the intent to apply to the Prime Minister with the application
referred to in art. 24 sec. 2 within 60 days from the date of publication
of this law.

Art. 40. Matters covered by provisions of this law regulated by provisions
of international agreements binding Poland ratified by prior approval by
laws shall be regulated by the international agreements.

Art. 41. Office employees servicing the minister proper for culture and
protection of the national heritage ensuring realization of tasks until
publication of this law in the scope of rights of national and ethnic
minorities shall on that date be employees of the office servicing the
minister proper for religion and national and ethnic minorities. Provisions
of art. 23/1 of the labor code shall apply accordingly.

Art. 42.1. Assets of the office servicing the minister proper for culture
and protection of the national heritage serving realization of tasks in the
scope of minority rights shall on the date of publication of this law be
assets of the minister proper for religion and national and ethnic
minorities.

2. Funds included in part 24 of the state budget culture and protection of
the national heritage devoted for realizing tasks in the scope of minority
rights and for supporting publication of magazines in regional languages
shall be transferred on the date of publication of this law to part 43 of
the sate budget religion and national and ethnic minorities.

Art. 43. This law shall come into force after 3 months from the date of
publication, save for art. 36, art. 39, art. 41 and art. 42 which shall
come into force on the date of publication.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I

THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES FINALIZED ITS WORK

Meeting in Geneva from 15-23 February 2005 under the leadership of His
Holiness Aram I, the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches
(WCC), the highest executive body of the Council, completed its work. In
addition to 166 voting members, more than 200 observers, consultants and
representatives of ecumenical organizations attended the meeting including
the official representatives of the Vatican.

In addition to the reports of the Moderator of the Central Committee His
Holiness Aram I and the General Secretary Dr. Sam Kobia, the main items
covering the agenda of the this last meeting of the Central Committee before
the Assembly, were: Assembly preparations, discussion of consensus
procedures, report of the Program Committee, contemporary ethical
challenges, ecumenical reconfiguration, plenary on Pacific, financial
matters, and public statements.

In his closing remarks Aram I expressed his deep appreciation to the members
of the Central Committee for their active and responsible participation in
the reflection and action of the Central Committee in the past eight years.
“The sea in which the ecumenical boat is sailing is more stormy today than
ever before. Being ecumenical means having the courage of faith and clear
vision to move together towards the ecumenical goals which binds us together
as one fellowship”, concluded His Holiness.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

80 PEOPLE DIE IN TODAY’S QUAKE IN IRAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22. ARMINFO. 80 people died and over 5,000 are
wounded in today’s earthquake in Iran.

The quake took place 60 km north-west of Kerman 6:25 am. in the
epicenter the magnitude was 7-8 point on 12 point scale (MSK-64).

DISCUSSION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT DURING FORTHCOMING MEETING OF
PRESIDENTS OF RUSSIA AND USA CONFIRMS SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22. ARMINFO. The planned discussion of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during the forthcoming meeting of the
presidents of Russia and the USA in Bratislava on Feb 24, confirms the
significance of the problem. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arman Melikian stated during the news
conference in Yerevan, Tuesday.

According to him, the discussion of these issues at such a high level
confirms their importance. “If the presidents of the USA and Russian
Federation discuss this issue, it is obvious that it has more than
regional or bilateral importance. In this connection we, of course,
must take into account the interests of the super-powers in the region
and the matter concerns not only Russia and the United States”, the
minister mentioned.

ARMAN MELIKIAN: NAGORNY KARABAKH WILL PROCEED FROM MAXIMUM GUARANTEES
OF SECURITY

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22. ARMINFO. Nagorny Karabakh will not proceed from
minimum guarantees of its security. Minister of Foreign AFfairs of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arman Melikian stated during the news
conference in Yerevan, Tuesday.

“We shall proceed from maximum guarantees of security”, the minister
said, but, refusing to make concrete. According to him, now NKR is not
involved in the negotiation process for certain reasons, but its
results do not give today a clear estimate how the continuation will
be. Answering the question of journalists, the minister mentioned that
the situation can be considered normal in the case if the problem is
solved, and the parties are satisfied with the resolution. “But to
speak about the increasing threat for Nagorny Karabakh I also consider
groundless”, the minister stressed.

BESIDES NEGATIVE POINTS, PACE RESOLUTION ON NAGORNY KARABAKH CONTAINS
POSITIVE MOMENT FOR NKR: FOREIGN MINISTER OF NKR

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22. ARMINFO. Besides negative points, PACE
Resolution on Nagorny Karabakh contained a positive moment for NKR,
Foreign Minister of NKR Arman Melikyan said at a press conference,
Tuesday.

At the same time, the minister pointed out the existence of a new
view, that is, a call to Azerbaijani authorities for starting dialogue
directly with NKR authorities. <It to some extent proves that our
point of view is right – bilateral negotiations of Azerbaijan and
Karabakh may really be effective,> the minister said.

As regards the visit of OSCE mission to the territories under control
of NKR, the minister said that the visit was useful as representatives
of that international organization could get first hand view of the
real situation. He said that the mission had visited all the regions
and made sure that the document provided by Azerbaijan did not
correspond to reality. He said that Karabakh had enough resources to
settle Lachin and Lachin region and this policy would continue, as it
was a strategic issue. As regards the possivilisi of the mission’s
visit to Getashen and Shahumanyan regions occupied by Azerbaijan, the
minister said, this issue was under discussion and the visit was not
ruled out.

Vera-Dardz (return)

Yerkir/arm
February 18, 2005

By Tamar Gasparian

Recently, the Modern Experimental Art Center hosted an exhibition of Hamlet
Hovsepian’s works entitled as `Vera-Dardz’ (return). Sixteen paintings and
three video works were presented. When you look at the works you see what he
implied by `return.’ It is about a human being born on the earth and returning
back into it.

Hamlet Hovsepian was born in Ashnak village. He is an artist struggling
against the boring life and trying to pass movement to it by capturing art on
video.

The exhibition included his old video works starting from 1975. It is abouta
part of the nature that keeps returning to the point of its birth.
Hovsepian uses a number of innovative means like bronze and copper powder for
creating his panting works.

He also covers the works with a layer of sand which gives a specific flavor
to the whole thing. This is a man that turns into sand but leaves values in
that sand which secure his return into succession.

22 February 2005
U.S., EU Cooperate on Reform in Eurasia
State Dept. fact sheet issued in connection with Bush trip to Europe
The following fact sheet was issued by the State Department’s Bureau of
European and Eurasian Affairs in connection with President Bush’s February
21-24 trip to Europe:
Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
Washington, DC
February 17, 2005
U.S.-EU COOPERATION ON REFORM IN EURASIA
The United States and the European Union (EU) share a common goal of
promoting successful transitions to democracy and market-based economies in
Eurasia. We share a common goal in combating threats to regional stability
and the transition process: crime and corruption; illicit narcotics; weapons
of mass destruction; and trafficking of persons. We coordinate our policy
messages and our assistance programs in order to maximize their impact.
Recent successful examples of U.S.-EU cooperation in promoting
democratization, free media, respect for human rights and key economic
reforms include:
* In Georgia, the U.S. and EU have worked closely together to support a
smooth transition for that country’s new leadership in the wake of the
“Revolution of the Roses.” We continue to work together to support the
aspirations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to further integrate into
the Euro-Atlantic family. The EU’s European Neighborhood Policy and NATO’s
Partnership for Peace promote the values we share in common with Europe, and
build deeper connections between the nations of the South Caucasus and the
more established democracies of the West;
* In Ukraine, we joined forces to promote free and fair local and
presidential elections in 2004, which contributed to the Ukrainian people’s
rejection of electoral fraud and to the historic repeat vote on December 26.
In Belarus, the EU and United States have coordinated at an unprecedented
level, including by conducting a joint diplomatic mission to Minsk in the
Spring of 2004 to send a clear and united message on democratization, and by
enacting travel restrictions on those officials implicated in election
malfeasance and human rights violations. In Moldova, we also coordinated
travel restrictions against the leadership of the Transnistrian separatists,
and are promoting a free and fair campaign and parliamentary election on
March 6;
* The U.S. and EU recognize the challenge to security and stability of the
South Caucasus and Black Sea regions posed by the unresolved conflicts in
the area of Eurasia. We support the territorial integrity of Moldova,
Georgia, and Azerbaijan and cooperate to facilitate international efforts to
achieve peaceful political settlements to the conflicts over Transnistria,
South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Nagorno-Karabakh;
* In Central Asia, the United States and European Union work together to
support democratic and economic transition, protection of human rights,
promoting good governance/rule of law, increased regional trade, and
humanitarian and human development. We also cooperate in the effort to
combat trade in opium and heroin from Afghanistan-a serious threat to peace
and stability and a growing public health concern in the region. The U.S.,
European Commission, and EU member states, working with the United Nations
agencies, closely coordinate our assistance programs to boost Central Asian
states’ capabilities to meet this threat. U.S. and EU assistance efforts
have provided much-needed training, equipment, physical infrastructure, and
more effective government institutions.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: )

The Messenger
Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Commission investigates disappearance of USD 45 million
Credit allotted by Japan to rehabilitate two power stations in 1999-2002,
but commission says 90 percent has been misused
By Christina Tashkevich

Parliamentarians accuse officials from
the former government for siphoning of
funds from a grant to rehabilitate portions
of Georgia’s troubled electricity system
The Parliamentary Temporary Investigation Commission on violations in the
energy sector met on Monday to discuss the fate of the USD 45 million credit
allotted by Japan to the Georgian government to rehabilitate Khrami-2 and
Lajanur hydroelectric power stations in 1999-2002.
Head of the commission MP Gia Natsvlishvili said at the meeting that the
credit should have been spent on “fully rehabilitating” these two
hydroelectric stations. “As a result, Georgia would have 220 megawatts more
this winter,” he said.
Natsvlishvili stressed that this would be a cheap energy resource “while we
now have problems with Russian imports and have to buy very expensive
energy.”
But according to the commission, the rehabilitation works are now in the
same condition as they were when the credit was allotted. “About 90 percent
of this credit has been misused,” said Natsvlishvili.
According to the commission chair, former high-ranking officials such as
officials from the ministry of energy and heads of energy companies could
have been involved in misusing the money. For example, he names the former
Sakenergo Director and former minister of energy David Mirtskhulava as one
suspect in this case. He thinks that the names of other people involved in
this case will be revealed during an investigation by law enforcers.
“The commission will discuss this issue, and it will decide whether to send
the documents to the General Prosecutor’s Office for launching a criminal
case,” Natsvlishvili explained on Monday.
Meanwhile the head of the commission also commented on the fate of the other
cases they sent to the Prosecutor’s Office. “We monitor how the Prosecutor’s
Office investigates cases we have already sent to them,” Natsvlishvili said.
One particular issue the commission investigated was the rehabilitation of
Enguri hydroelectric station. Natsvlishvili said the Prosecutor’s Office
launched two criminal cases on this issue, which are currently under
investigation.
Meanwhile, former minister David Mirtskhulava, who was also previously head
of the National Energy Regulatory Commission, is accused of abuse of power
and hiding secret materials.
In particular, the General Prosecutor’s Office named a contract agreed with
Armenergo during the period when Mirtskhulava was minister, which the
investigation claims is one-sided and artificially increased Georgian
Railway’s debt to Armenergo from USD 4 million to USD 6 million.
The investigation says that Mirtskhulava agreed to this in return for
certain benefits – namely, helping mediator company Energomanqkorporatsia to
embezzle 90 percent of the USD 6 million transmitted from Georgian Railway.
Georgia still had to pay the debt as a result of the one-sided contract
Mirtskhulava had signed.
As for the second charge against Mirtskhulava, according to the Prosecutor’s
Office, he took secret materials relating to Georgia-Armenia criminal
relations from the Energy Ministry and hid them in the office of the
National Regulation Commission.

Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society Boston Chapter
47 Nichols Avenue | Watertown | Massachusetts | 02472
tel: 617.924.8849
email: [email protected]
web: _www.hamazkayin-boston.org_ ()

——————————————————————————
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Ara Nazarian
617.924.8849
[email protected]

Free Forum – Genocide Studies: Who Needs it?

WATERTOWN, MA — February 22, 2005 — `Genocide Studies: Who needsit?’
is the topic of this year’s first Free Forum event initiated by
Hamazkayin-Boston. This public program (open and free to the public),
willtake place at 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 10, 2005 at the Nishan
and Margrit Atinizian Hall of the Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church
[200 Lexington Street, Belmont, MA].

Mr. George Shirinian, Director of Zoryan Institute from Toronto,
Canada has been invited to speak about the Zoryan Institute as a case
in point for Genocide Studies. Following Mr. Shirinian’s brief
presentation themoderator, Ara Nazarian, chairman of
Hamazkayin-Boston, will invite the attendees to joinin the discussion
with their views and ideas.

Designed to highlight varying points of view concerning the resolution
of issues important to the Boston Armenian community, Free Forum (Azad
Bem in Armenian) will offer at least two more programs during
2005. The planned topics include:

§ The state of Armenian education in the community at the threshold
of the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet

§ The Armenian Church: Past present and where it is headed A summary
of the discussions and opinions expressed during all Forums will be
available at our website

It is anticipated that the March 10, 2005 program titled `Genocide
Studies: Who needs it?’ will attract many students and young
professionals.

Hamazkayin-Boston hopes the Forum will respond to critical questions
such as: how would the youth and young professionals carry forward the
cause for Genocide recognition, what are the long term goals of the
field and its vision/outlook for the day after Turkey’s
acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide.

For more information about this and other Hamazkayin projects, or to
join and support the organization visit
or email us at [email protected])

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