Diaspora military movement to save Armenia from Pashinyan’s destructive steps

Karapet Navasardian

On April 11-12, 2026, a conference dedicated to the national Diaspora movement was held in Paris, bringing together 160 politicians, community leaders, international lawyers, clergy and intellectuals from 26 countries, including Armenia and Artsakh.


The purpose of the conference was a comprehensive assessment of the relations between Armenia and the Diaspora in the conditions of ongoing national challenges and changing geopolitical realities, while emphasizing the need for a coordinated military movement around a unified pan-Armenian agenda.


This is a crucial moment in the history of our country. With each passing day, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan causes significant damage to Armenia’s national interests to such an extent that if he continues in office after the June 7 parliamentary elections, the existence of the motherland may be in great danger. Armenia needs a capable leader who will protect the country’s national interests from foreign interference from all sides, from the East, West, North or South.


Armenians, who at this crucial moment ignore the unpleasant situation of their homeland and sit idly by, contribute to its downfall. Regardless of the place of residence, every Armenian has a sacred duty to protect Armenia from its enemies, both inside the country and outside its borders.


Unfortunately, about half of the registered voters of Armenia said that they will not participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Such indifference enables the continuation of policies that the majority opposes. Every registered Armenian voter has a civic duty to participate in the elections and vote on June 7. Even Armenian citizens living in the Diaspora must come to Armenia to participate in the voting.


In terms of campaign strategy, opposition political forces should focus their efforts on those voters who plan not to participate in the elections, rather than wasting time and resources on convincing Pashinyan’s dwindling supporters. His followers will continue to support him because they depend on him for their livelihood, they are either civil servants receiving large bonuses or enjoying monopoly business privileges.


In the conditions of the urgency of the political situation, the Paris conference gained special importance. Most of the participants, who were not affiliated with any party, jointly recorded the dangers facing Armenia and pledged to take the necessary steps upon returning home to mobilize members of their communities. It is noteworthy that three former prime ministers of Armenia, Vazgen Manukyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan and Hrant Bagratyan, participated in the conference.


Bishop Grigor Khachatryan, leader of the diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of France, read the message of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia addressed the participants in a video message. Ashot Danielyan, Acting President of the Republic of Artsakh and Chairman of the National Assembly of Artsakh, personally addressed the conference.


At the conference, 19 speakers took part in four panel discussions.


1. The strategic role of the diaspora in solving national problems. What is the political agenda of the Diaspora?


2. The importance of national values ​​and the Armenian Church in the Diaspora for the preservation of Armenian identity. the challenges of the new situation.


3. Issues and horizons of Armenia-Diaspora relations.


4. Mobilization and revitalization of the Diaspora for national goals.


As one of the speakers at the conference, in my speech I expressed regret that the successive governments of Armenia have not fully utilized the Diaspora as a precious resource. After the closure of the Diaspora Ministry by Pashinyan’s administration, Diaspora-Armenia relations have reached their lowest level since Armenia’s independence. Pashinyan often belittles and opposes the Diaspora, thereby distancing his government from the concerns of the Diaspora.


Pashinyan’s views and positions deviate significantly from Armenian values ​​and priorities. He openly criticized the national symbols: Mount Ararat, the state coat of arms and the national anthem. By renaming the textbooks of “Armenian History” to “History of Armenia”, he reduced the historical scope of Armenian identity. Pashinyan has questioned the authenticity of the Armenian Genocide, and he wears the map of “Real Armenia” on his chest, trying to forget historical Armenia.


In matters of security and sovereignty, Pashinyan handed over Artsakh to Azerbaijan, renounced 220 square kilometers of the territory of the Republic of Armenia in favor of Azerbaijan, considers the Artsakh issue closed, while the leaders of Artsakh remain in prison in Baku, and made a black list of Diaspora Armenians who were deprived of the right to visit Armenia simply because they disagreed with his policies.


In addition, he has taken confrontational steps against the Armenian Apostolic Church, including arresting high-ranking clergy. His “Civil Contract” party has announced plans to organize an official conference exclusively for “state-centric organizations of the Diaspora”.


Concluding my speech, I proposed a mechanism that would be able to unite millions of Diaspora Armenians in one unified structure, forming a Parliament of Diaspora Armenians, which will be elected by members of different communities of the Diaspora.


At the end of the conference, to my surprise, Ashot Danielyan, the Acting President of the Republic of Artsakh, handed me a letter of thanks from the Republic of Artsakh, which stated: “I express my deep gratitude to you for the great contribution you have made in protecting the rights of forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians and ensuring their safe and dignified return to their historical homeland.”


The recognition was an honor, but more important is the responsibility shared by Armenians around the world to act decisively at this pivotal moment.


Harut Sassounyan


www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com


Translation: Ruzanna Avagyan




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Features of the models of law enforcement systems of Armenia and Iraq were discussed

David Nargizian

Arsen Ayvazyan, Deputy Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee, received the delegation led by the Head of the Cyber ​​Security Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. General Hasan Hadi Laziz. This is reported by the Central Committee of the Republic of Armenia.


Welcoming the members of the delegation, Arsen Ayvazyan emphasized the importance of the support of international partners in the field of cybercrimes and thanked for the initiative of the meeting.


Arsen Ayvazyan presented the structure and functions of the Investigative Committee, as well as the specifics of the criminal proceedings investigated by the Cybercrime and High-Tech Crime Investigation Department.


The head of the cyber security department of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Iraq presented the law enforcement system of Iraq. The parties discussed the features of the models of the law enforcement systems of the two countries.


At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed readiness to quickly respond to legal requests within the framework of mutual assistance, to establish close cooperation between the law enforcement systems of the two countries and to ensure its continuity.

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Byureghavan received more than 30 calls with the same complaints in a few hours

Karakhanian Suren

The municipality of Byureghavan issued a statement referring to the management of “Andranik Petrosyan City Polyclinic of Byureghavan” CJSC.


“Many citizens in Byureghavan city have applied to the emergency service in recent days with the following complaints: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever. The relevant anti-epidemic services are aware of the situation.


Please consult a doctor in case of such complaints, refrain from using water as much as possible or use it in a boiled state,” the message states.


Armen Vardumyan, acting director of the city polyclinic, also clarified the situation.


According to him, yesterday evening, starting from 19-20:00, there were many emergency calls. The complaints were the same: vomiting, nausea, fever, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea. As the number of calls with the same symptoms reached 30 in the evening, around 22-23:00, the “Republican Center for Disease Control” informed about the situation.


“Calls continued throughout the night until the morning and are still going on now. “Since the morning, under the leadership of the municipality, all organizations have been deployed, from “Veolia Water” to the emergency department,” he said, noting that water samples have already been taken at various addresses and are waiting for a response. “Veolia water” CJSC also carries out inspections.


Even today, the appeal to the polyclinic with the same complaints continues, there are also hospitalized people. 8 of the citizens with negative dynamics were hospitalized.


As for the total number of patients, the total number is not known, as many go to different clinics on their own.


“We considered it our duty to inform the population that such a problem exists. We advised not to use water, or to use boiled water,” he said.

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Sponsorship, double standards? What is happening at the Pedagogical University?

George Mamian

On April 18, the anti-corruption committee arrested the vice-rector of the Armenian State Pedagogical University, Mariam Ispiryan, and her son, charging them with a number of charges, including abuse of official position and official forgery. However, to the surprise of many, the latter’s work was not suspended.

As “The Authority” reminds, in October, the university’s rector, vice-rector and a number of employees were arrested, who did not accept the various accusations presented to them and the case was sent to the court, but their work activities were suspended.

“The fact that the latter did not enjoy anyone’s patronage is more than clear, and the doors of the university were closed to them and they were not even allowed to enter the university by the order of the minister of KGSMS, which was essentially a gross violation of human rights. This act surprised even the law enforcement officers at that time.
And today, Mariam Ispiryan is sitting in her office and seems to have successfully forgotten what happened to her and is posing with a knowledgeable face for the information posted on the university’s website.


The university claims that Mariam Ispiryan is one of the appointed cadres of Minister of Education and Culture Zhanna Andreasyan and enjoys her high patronage, and even the alleged crime committed does not become a basis for suspending her activities.


The university community is puzzled, why was the work activity of the highly respected rector and the other vice-rector suspended and why is Mariam Ispiryan, admitting the fact of committing a crime, in the university today? At the same time, it is stated that Narek Mkrtchyan from Parakart, KP, currently the RA ambassador to the USA, is one of his patrons.


We witnessed how Mkrtchyan freed his brother accused of a crime from criminal liability and what a comedy that case turned into, and now we are witnessing another illegality, but this time in the field of education. How will the RA Prosecutor’s Office and the RA Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications respond to this question,” the source writes.

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Asbarez: Mesrobian Students Deepen Armenian Identity Through Educational Visit

Ani Tigranian
by Contributor

 

 April 22, 2026

 

in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Sixth grade students of Armenian Mesrobian School recently participated in a four-day educational trip to Fresno, engaging in a series of meaningful visits that highlighted the depth and vitality of Armenian heritage in the Diaspora.

Throughout their stay, students visited several significant cultural and community institutions, including the William Saroyan House Museum, the California Armenian Home, and Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, among others. These experiences provided students with a deeper appreciation for Armenian literary, communal, and educational life beyond their immediate environment.

Mesrobian students pose at the William Saroyan Theater

A central highlight of the visit was their time at the Armenian Genocide Monument Fresno State on the campus of California State University Fresno. There, students were guided by the monument’s architect, Shaunt Yemenjian, who offered an in-depth presentation on the conceptual and architectural significance of the memorial. Drawing inspiration from the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, the monument stands as a symbolic link between the homeland and the Armenian Diaspora. His remarks provided students with a profound understanding of memory, identity, and the enduring importance of recognition and remembrance.

Mesrobian students with David of Sassoun Sculpture in Fresno

The visit was further enriched by the presence of Mesrobian alumna Anush Ghoogasian (Class of 2018), who is currently completing her Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology at Fresno State. Her academic achievements and continued engagement with the community served as a source of pride and inspiration for the students.

Principal Lena Garabedian and educator Zepur Ohanessian expressed their sincere appreciation to both Yemenjian and Ghoogasian for their time and dedication. This educational experience left a lasting impression on the students, strengthening their connection to Armenian heritage and reinforcing the responsibility of the younger generation to preserve and carry forward the legacy of the Armenian people.

From l to r: Anush Ghoogasian, Shaunt Yemenjian, Lena Garabedian, and Zepur Ohanessian

Armenian Mesrobian School extends its gratitude to all those who made this longstanding educational trip possible. The continued support of our parent community plays an essential role in providing students with such meaningful experiences beyond the classroom. We look forward to continuing this valued tradition in the years to come, as we remain committed to fostering a strong sense of identity, heritage, and community in our students.

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ANC–International Condemns Destruction of Stepanakert Cathedral; Calls for Ur

Edgar Tavakalian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 April 22, 2026

 

in Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

The empty lot where the Cathedral once stood

The Armenian National Committee–International strongly condemns the destruction of the Holy Mother of God Cathedral in occupied Stepanakert by Azerbaijani authorities. Occurring on the eve of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, this act marks a serious escalation in the systematic erasure of Armenian cultural and spiritual heritage in Artsakh.

Consecrated in 2019, the cathedral symbolized the revival of Armenian religious life and the continuity of indigenous Armenian presence. Its destruction—confirmed by satellite imagery—follows earlier attacks on Armenian cultural and religious sites and reflects a broader, deliberate effort to eliminate the Armenian historical footprint.

These actions constitute serious violations of international law and UNESCO instruments protecting cultural heritage, and they contravene binding orders of the International Court of Justice requiring Azerbaijan to prevent and punish such acts.

ANC–International expresses concern over the lack of a meaningful international response. Continued silence risks deepening impunity and undermining prospects for justice and the safe return of displaced Armenians.

ANC–International calls for:

Immediate independent international monitoring of cultural and religious heritage in the affected territories;
Targeted measures to ensure accountability for deliberate destruction;
Elevating heritage protection within international engagement on the South Caucasus;
Urgent legal and diplomatic action by Armenia, including recourse to international judicial mechanisms.
The destruction of cultural heritage is an attack not only on a people’s identity but on the shared heritage of humanity, requiring prompt and principled international action.

Armenian National Committee – International

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Asbarez: ANCA Endorses Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey for Re-Election

Boshkezenian Garik
by Contributor

 

 April 22, 2026

 

in Featured Story, Latest, National, News, Top Stories

ANCA advocates Aram Kaligian and Steve Mesrobian Massachusetts Armenian American community priorities with Senator Markey


Markey’s “A+” Record on Armenia, Artsakh, and Genocide Justice Earns ANCA Backing for Re-Election

WASHINGTON— The Armenian National Committee of America on Tuesday announced its endorsement of U.S. Senator Ed Markey for re-election, citing his decades-long Congressional leadership on issues of special concern to Americans of Armenian heritage across Massachusetts and around the United States.

“Senator Markey has been a consistent and courageous voice for justice,” said ANCA activist Steve Mesrobian. “From advancing U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide to holding Azerbaijan accountable for its aggression and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population, Senator Markey has demonstrated a clear and unwavering commitment to truth, accountability, and a true and sustainable peace.”

Throughout his tenure, Senator Markey has worked closely with ANCA advocates in Massachusetts to promote policy priorities that strengthen Armenia’s security, restrict U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, and support the rights and safe return of displaced Armenians from Artsakh. He has also been a vocal advocate for enforcing Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and advancing humanitarian assistance to those impacted by Azerbaijan’s aggression.

During a Capitol Hill commemoration of the Armenian and Artsakh genocides, Senator Markey unequivocally stated, “Azerbaijani forces have committed documented war crimes… These crimes demand accountability.” In November, 2025, he was joined by over 25 Senate colleagues demanding that Azerbaijan “release unjustly detained Armenian prisoners” and urging the imposition of sanctions on officials responsible for human rights abuses. “The United States can no longer adopt a path of inaction in the face of these war crimes,” stated Sen. Markey and his colleagues.

Demonstrating his commitment firsthand, Senator Markey traveled to Azerbaijan during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 summit, where he used the international stage to call attention to the Aliyev regime’s human rights abuses and ongoing detention of Armenian prisoners. In a meeting with Aliyev’s presidential advisor Hikmet Hajiyev, Sen. Markey was blunt: “The Azerbaijani government must immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian and Azeri political prisoners, guarantee the right of return for ethnic Armenian civilians to Nagorno Karabakh, and negotiate in good faith a peace agreement with Armenia that protects regional peace and internationally agreed-upon borders.”

“Senator Markey has stood with us every step of the way – during his tenure in the U.S. House and now in his role as a senior U.S. Senator,” shared ANCA activist Aram Kaligian. “Now is our time to stand with him.”

The ANCA’s endorsement reflects Senator Markey’s proven record of engagement with Armenian American constituents and his leadership on issues of direct importance to Armenia and Artsakh, has earned him an A+ rating from the organization.

The ANCA encourages Armenian American voters to participate actively in the democratic process and make their voices heard in support of candidates who reflect our values and priorities.

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168: To remember is our duty, to demand is the right, to fight is a necessity.

Garo Vardanian

April 22, 2026

From the highlights of Serzh Sargsyan’s messages since 2009 on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.

 “Crimes against humanity have no statute of limitations either in people’s memory or before the court of history. International recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is a matter of restoration of historical justice for the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia.”

 “Some people suggest us not to dig up the old wounds of 100 years ago, but to look ahead.” Our response to such admonitions is as follows: Orhan Pamuk and Hrand Dink were not tried 100 years ago. They were judged before our eyes. This issue is topical and urgent for both Turkish and Armenian societies.”

 “At the same time, I publicly reaffirm. we do not consider Turkish society as an enemy. Bowing our heads in front of the memory of the innocent victims, we remember all those Turkish individuals, Turkish families, who reached out to their Armenian neighbors and friends who were being destroyed by the barbarians in those difficult days, and freed many Armenian children from the clutches of the khujan.”

 “Genocide is a consequence not only of the developments within the given state or society, but also of the failure of the entire international system. It has been proven more than once that impunity is a prerequisite for the repetition of genocide.”

 “The recognition of the genocide is not the world’s tribute to the Armenian people and its victims. Genocide recognition is the victory of human conscience and justice over intolerance and hatred.”

 “Before being separatists, let’s be patriots as a nation.”

 “On important occasions, I always wear the forget-me-not, which has become a symbol of the fight against genocide. It has a very clear advice and message. The crime committed against our people more than a century ago can never be forgotten.”

 “The rulers of Armenia should not forget that more than a million lives that were cut off these days 110 years ago can never become a subject of negotiation, and the undeniable reality of the genocide cannot be presented as an “obstacle to peace”. The opposite approach cannot be qualified otherwise than political demoralization and denationalization.

 “The authorities denying national interests and endangering the existence of the state must be removed, because the shortest way to lose statehood is through giving up one’s rights and dignity, the struggle for justice, and erasing the historical memory. Therefore:

IT IS OUR DUTY TO REMEMBER
DEMANDING THE RIGHT
FIGHTING IS A NECESSITY.”

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“Economic freedom index” according to Papoyan’s evaluations. Why is he hiding it?

Boshkezenian Garik

April 22, 2026

RA Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan started the working day on his Facebook page publication doing so, where he referred to the 2026 “Index of Economic Freedom” report of “The Heritage Foundation” last month.

First of all, it is surprising that the Minister of Economy at 10:00 in the morning, for example, has nothing else to do than to ensure the activity of his social page, especially when the published content has been discussed and analyzed for weeks. Secondly, it is impossible to ignore the fact that in the logic of the pre-election campaign, the minister chose to highlight only the paragraphs containing positive wording from the voluminous report.

Naturally, Minister Papoyan ignored the fact that, according to that report, Armenia has been ranked among “moderately free” countries for 5 years, which means that the government has not been able to ensure any qualitative progress, no matter how loudly they try to “shout” about it. Moreover, in 2026 the recorded increase of 1.7 points is not a new achievement, but a return to the figure recorded more than a decade ago in 2015.

In other words, the policy implemented for years has exhausted the previously accumulated potential: In 2017, Armenia even managed to make the transition to a higher group of “mostly free” countries. In short, the “reforms” trumpeted by the authorities over the last 8 years have not pushed the country forward, but pushed the country back, nullifying the previously recorded progress.

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The current authorities will presumably try to rely on the growth of some sub-indices: “trade”, “monetary” or “financial freedom”. But even here the picture is very worrying.

For example, the current rate of “freedom of trade” is only surpassed by the rates of the previous five years, and before that such a low result was last recorded in 1999. It is simply frivolous to talk about any structural progress here.

Papoyan is not talking about the fact that, according to that report: The level of “freedom of labor” is significantly inferior to the indicators of 2007-2017., and a result lower than the current value of “investment freedom” was last recorded in 2007. This is a clear signal that the economic environment has lost its attractiveness for both internal and external actors.

And, most importantly, Papoyan is silent and does not find it appropriate to raise the fact that the most problematic image was formed in the “rule of law” group. Armenia ranks among the “economically oppressed” countries in two fundamental areas: “protection of property rights” and “effectiveness of justice”.significantly inferior to the world averages. This means that the fundamental conditions necessary for the normal development of the economy are not provided in the country: protection of property, applicability of contracts, independent and efficient judicial system.

In other words, the investor in Armenia does not have sufficient guarantees, the business does not trust the courts, and the citizen does not see the impartial application of the law. And this assessment is made not in the framework of internal political criticism, but in the analysis of an international authoritative structure.

In this context, it is not possible not to mention the state’s seizure of the HEC, the inglorious activities of the “ANIF” fund, as a result of which millions of dollars were lost. these are prime examples of possible developments for investors, which definitely did not escape the attention of the authors of the report. Forceful and non-transparent interventions by the state towards large economic objects create an atmosphere of uncertainty, where ownership becomes subject to political whims.

A reminder to the minister: no matter how much your political force is preparing for the next parliamentary elections, at the same time, you continue to hold the position of minister and are paid quite a lot for it.

Advice, exhortation: when you get to the office in the morning, deal with resolving the many economic gaps and challenges within the state as a result of your own team’s apocalyptic policies, in short, work, and finally sign out from the work computer and social media. from your personal accounts on the platforms because Since 2018, your entire political team has run the country with Facebook posts and for Facebook posts, be it foreign policy, war, economy or justice.




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