Author: Adrine Hakobian

Armenia agro exports soar despite coronavirus, war

Adrine Hakobian

Save

Share

 10:36,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Despite the challenges in 2020, Armenia was able to successfully carry out agricultural exports, and even exported 3000 tons more fruits and vegetables than in 2019, according to the Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan.

Khojoyan said that over 145,500 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables were exported from Armenia in 2020, the year which saw the COVID-19 pandemic and the second Nagorno Karabakh War. Khojoyan says they had to work very flexibly to maximally speedily assess all problems and swiftly give solutions. He said he is very happy that despite all the difficulties and challenges the exports levels grew.

In 2020, Armenia exported 24,200 tons of grapes (15,900 tons in 2019), 13,800 tons of peaches (9,280 tons in 2019), 28,600 tons of tomatoes (24,800 tons in 2019). However, the exports of apricots and apples dropped. In 2019, Armenia exported 30,000 tons of apricots, but the number was 19,700 in 2020. A 4,000 tons drop in the exports of apples was recorded. “But this low quantity was also due to low harvest,” Khojoyan said, noting frostbite-related harvest problems. “But there isn’t any recorded problem where the goods were produced and we weren’t able to export it.”

Moreover, according to the ministry’s data around 12,000 tons more fruits and vegetables were processed in 2020, totaling 98,000 tons. Grapes aren’t included in this number since an unprecedented large number was recorded. Harvest was on an average 25-30% more than in previous years.

“In 2020 over 48% growth in exports of agricultural products was recorded,” the Deputy Minister said.

Most affected types of exports are wine and brandy. Wine exports dropped 27-28%, while brandy exports decreased 20%.

Khojoyan says the COVID-19 pandemic and other difficulties made them research new potential markets, with countries in the Middle East under the spotlight. He said they are now presenting exporters the results of their studies on the potential of these markets. The ministry is also easing the required paperwork for the businessmen willing to start activities in these directions.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 01/18/2021

Adrine Hakobian 
                                        Monday, 

Deal On Karabakh’s Status Not Urgent For Russia

        • Aza Babayan

RUSSIA -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds his annual press 
conference via video link, Moscow, 

The status of Nagorno-Karabakh remains unresolved and it must be a subject of 
future Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov 
said on Monday.

In the meantime, he stressed, the disputed territory will be protected by 
Russian peacekeeping forces deployed there after a Moscow-brokered agreement 
that stopped the Armenian-Azerbaijani war on November 10.

“Precisely because the problem of the status is so thorny it was decided by the 
three leaders [of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia] to circumvent and leave it to 
the future,” Lavrov told a news conference in Moscow. “The [Russian, U.S. and 
French] co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group must deal with this as well. They have 
resumed their contacts with the parties and are going to visit the region again.”

He suggested that the return to normality and confidence-building measures in 
the conflict zone will eventually facilitate an agreement on the main sticking 
point.

Speaking after his talks with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev hosted by 
Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said 
that Karabakh’s status is among “many issues” that have yet to be settled by the 
conflicting sides. Yerevan maintains that Karabakh’s population must be able to 
exercise its right to self-determination in line peace proposals made by the 
Russian, U.S. and French mediators.

By contrast, Aliyev again said after the Moscow talks that the six-week war, 
which resulted in sweeping Azerbaijani territorial gains, essentially resolved 
the long-running conflict.

Earlier this month, Aliyev demanded that Armenian officials stop visiting 
Karabakh without Baku’s permission. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said 
Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazian’s recent trip to Stepanakert violated the 
ceasefire agreement.

Yerevan rejected those claims as “completely baseless.” Lavrov also dismissed 
them, arguing that the agreement brokered by Putin provides for a land corridor 
between Armenia and Karabakh, which is also guarded by the Russian peacekeepers.

“If we agree … that there must be a link between the Armenians of Karabakh and 
Armenia then I see no reason why contacts carried out at that level should be 
hampered,” he said. “Armenian officials are involved in the provision of 
humanitarian assistance to Karabakh which does not cause negative emotions in 
Baku.”

Lavrov stressed at the same time that Armenian leaders should avoid making 
“emotional” statements when visiting Karabakh. He chided them for making such 
statements before the war.



New Lawmaker Defends Exit From Ruling Bloc

        • Naira Nalbandian

Armenia -- Anna Grigorian is sworn in as a member of the Armenian parliament, 
Yerevan, .

A new member of Armenia’s parliament on Monday defended her decision to defect 
from the ruling My Step bloc and backed calls for Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s resignation.

The 29-year-old Anna Grigorian took up a vacant seat in the National Assembly 
two years after participating in the last Armenian parliamentary elections on 
the My Step ticket. She replaced a pro-government lawmaker who resigned last 
month.

“I believe that a government defeated in the war [in Nagorno-Karabakh] must 
inevitably resign,” Grigorian told reporters after being sworn in as a 
parliament deputy.

In that regard, Grigorian dismissed Pashinian’s offer to hold snap parliamentary 
elections to resolve a political crisis sparked by Armenia’s defeat in the 
recent war. She said such polls must be held by a new, interim government made 
up of “technocrats.”

Accordingly, she did not endorse a caretaker prime minister nominated by an 
alliance of Armenian opposition parties campaigning for Pashinian’s resignation. 
“I do not support any political force right now,” she stressed.

Four other deputies affiliated with My Step quit the parliament’s pro-government 
majority shortly after the Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement that stopped the 
six-week war on November 10. Their and Grigorian’s defections reduced to 83 the 
number of seats officially controlled by Pashinian’s bloc in the 132-member 
legislature.

The defectors have drawn stern rebukes from senior lawmakers remaining loyal to 
Pashinian. Deputy parliament speaker Alen Simonian questioned their legitimacy 
on Monday, saying that they owe their parliament seats to the prime minister’s 
popularity.


Armenia -- Deputies from the ruling My Step bloc attend the opening of a regular 
session of the Armenian parliament, Yerevan, .


“It is very doubtful that many, many people would sit in the National Assembly 
if it wasn’t for Nikol Pashinian, the main driving force of [My Step’s landslide 
victory in] the last elections,” said Simonian.

Grigorian dismissed the criticism while acknowledging Pashinian’s personal 
contribution to her performance in the December 2018 elections.

“I want to remind that I was elected from an individual constituency,” she said. 
“I got more than 5,500 votes and a large part of them were given to me as an 
individual and to the team which I represented.”

Grigorian represents a constituency in Armenia’s southeastern Syunik province 
which was directly affected by the recent war.

Many Syunik residents have been angered by Armenian troop withdrawals from 
adjacent districts southwest of Karabakh, which were handed back to Azerbaijan 
as part of the ceasefire deal, and ensuing Armenian-Azerbaijani border 
delimitations. They say that they can no longer feel safe because Azerbaijani 
forces are now deployed dangerously close to their communities.

The mayors of virtually all Syunik towns have issued statements demanding 
Pashinian’s resignation. Some of them organized protests that forced the prime 
minister to cut short on December 21 a trip to the mountainous region.



Armenian Health Minister Replaced

        • Robert Zargarian

Armenia -- Health Minister Arsen Torosian speaks at a meeting of a task force 
coordinating the Armenian government's response to coronavirus outbreak, 
Yerevan, April 27, 2020.

Health Minister Arsen Torosian was sacked and appointed as chief of Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian’s staff on Monday.

In separate decrees requested by Pashinian, President Armen Sarkissian relieved 
Torosian of his duties and appointed his first deputy, Anahit Avanesian, as 
Armenia’s new health minister.

Torosian in turn replaced Eduard Aghajanian as chief of the prime minister’s 
staff. Aghajanian has been a key member of Pashinian’s political team.

Pashinian did not explain the moves. Torosian also issued no statements on his 
sacking and new appointment predicted by some Armenian media outlets over the 
weekend.

Torosian, 38, is a senior member of Pashinian’s Civil Contract party who was 
appointed as health minister right after the “Velvet Revolution” of April-May 
2018. Throughout his tenure he has been criticized not only by opposition groups 
but also some pro-government parliamentarians.

The criticism intensified after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which has 
hit Armenia hard. Torosian has repeatedly defended his and other government 
officials’ response to the unprecedented health crisis strongly condemned by the 
Armenian opposition.

It was not immediately clear whether Pashinian decided to replace the health 
minister because of the pandemic or as part of a cabinet reshuffle promised by 
him shortly after the Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped the autumn war in 
Nagorno-Karabakh on November 10.

Six other Armenian ministers were sacked in late November and early December.


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

ANCA-WR Publishes a ‘Decade in Review’ Report

Adrine Hakobian

January 11,  2020



ANCA-WR “Decade in Review”

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) recently published a “Decade in Review” report that highlights the organization’s tireless work in advocating for justice for the Armenian Genocide, harnessing support for the Republic of Armenia, urging recognition and support for the Republic of Artsakh, and developing grassroots programs to organize and mobilize the vast Armenian-American Diaspora community in the western half of the United States.

“The ANCA-WR team, with its Board, Staff, committees, local chapters, supporters and grassroots activists, has always worked with passion and dedication to find innovative ways to promote all facets of the Armenian Cause. Despite many challenges, this Decade in Review shows that the work of Hye Tad always adapts, but never stops.” remarked Nora Hovsepian, Chairperson of the ANCA-WR.

The report highlights how key priorities have been consistently advanced through the ANCA-WR’s advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels, including its long-standing mission to educate public officials about issues important to their Armenian-American constitutents through delegation trips to Armenia and Artsakh, Advocacy Days in state capitals, action alerts and expansion of Rapid Responders. Further emphasis has been shown through the cultivation of mutually beneficial relationships with coalition partners and media outlets. The report also showcases several of the ANCA-WR’s community programs such as HyeVotes, HyeCount, HyeCitizen, and its signature biennial Grassroots Conferences. Looking to the future, the ANCA-WR has made great strides in leadership development through its broad based internship programs, student outreach programs, and committees.

A special section is dedicated to highlighting the close collaboration between the ANCA-WR Educational Committee and various school districts, educators, administrators and legislators to expand the states’ curriculum frameworks as they pertain to teaching about the Armenian Genocide, incorporating the massive philanthropic response of the United States through Near East Relief to rescue hundreds of thousands of Armenian Genocide survivors and orphans, and the importance of self-determination in Artsakh. The ANCA-WR has also played a pivotal role in the Armenian community’s united efforts to properly commemorate the Armenian Genocide Centennial, to meet the community’s needs during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that our collective voice is heard in the halls of government and in all forms of media as Armenia and Artsakh were under attack and continue to face a humanitarian crisis even now.

Overall, the Decade in Review is testament to the work that the ANCA-WR has been able to accomplish thanks to its chapters, volunteers, staff and the thousands of activists who believe in the mission of the organization and continue to advocate for the security, prosperity, and long-term viability of a free, independent, and a united Armenian homeland.

Read ANCA-WR’s Decade in Review and other annual reports. https://ancawr.org/about/annual-reports/

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

CivilNet: What Lists of the Armenian Dead Tell Us About the War

Adrine Hakobian
CIVILNET.AM

05:34

By Emil Sanamyan

The Armenian Health Ministry has examined nearly 3,400 remains of servicemen and civilians killed since September 27. This number includes most of the nearly 1,200 remains recovered from the battlefield and Azerbaijani-occupied portions of Artsakh since the November 10 cease-fire. So far, only about 2,000 of those killed have been identified in lists published by the Artsakh Defense Army, the Police, the Soldiers’ Insurance Fund, and the office of the governor of Syunik.

While all of the lists contain inaccuracies and inconsistencies – with a number of individuals mentioned more than once, some names misspelled and some dates of death contradicted by other accounts – the publications nevertheless help illuminate some key aspects of the war, obscured by the war-time government propaganda.

About half of the 2,000 names published are of army conscripts born between the late 1990s and 2002. Most of the rest are of the army officers and active duty contracted personnel. The names published also include about 200 reservists, about 150 volunteers, some 75 police / police forces and about 50 national security / border guard personnel. This seems to confirm previous reports that the regular army received limited additional support in terms of mobilized reserves.

Among senior officers killed were two deputy commanders of the Artsakh Defense Army Col. Artur Sargsyan and Col. Hovanes Avagyan. Also killed was Col. Vahagn Asatryan, commander of Armenia’s special forces brigade, Col. Vyacheslav Voskovsky, commander of the air force squadron, as well as Col. Gegham Gabrielyan, Col. Ashot Ghazaryan and Col. Sergey Shakaryan, deputy commanders of the Defense Army’s southern division. Also among those killed are Col. Artyom Mirzoyan and Col. Vahe Atabekyan of the Armenian police.

Voskovsky’s is among dozens of non-Armenian names in the list. Others include Maj. Valery Danelin, another pilot of mixed Russian-Armenian descent; contracted serviceman Yevgeny Gorodnichiy; volunteer Rudik Sarkhoshev, draftees Ivan Avdishoyev, Grigor Lemeshko and Aleksandr Nechayev, as well as a number of Yezidi Kurdish draftees and volunteers.

Among the dead are four Diaspora repatriates: three from Syria and one, Kristapor Artin, originally from Lebanon, having moved to Armenia from Canada in 2011; all four were part of the Dashnak volunteer detachment.

The oldest person listed as killed in combat is the first Karabakh war veteran, 71-year-old volunteer Viktor Isunts.

The lists also help identify the costliest days of the war for the Armenian side: September 27 – the first day of attack; October 2 – the fighting for Mrav, Talish and Madagis; October 9-10 – following the unsuccessful Armenian counterattack in the south of Karabakh; and October 13-14 – as Armenian forces attempted to break out of the encirclement in Hadrut.

The lists suggest that most of the fighting after mid-October was on the smaller scale, with a few possible exceptions: the defense of the Fizuli garrison on October 18-19, the defense of Martuni and Karmir Shuka on October 28 and the unsuccessful attempt to retake Shushi on November 7.

These findings are preliminary and are based on incomplete information.

This article was originally published on Focus on Karabakh. 

No document on any territorial issue will be signed in Moscow, Armenian PM’s Spokesperson says

Adrine Hakobian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 11 2021
Economic issues will be discussed during the trilateral meeting between the Armenian Prime Minister, the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, PM’s Spokesperson Mane Govorgyan said.
 
According to her, reference will be made to the opening of regional communication routes, international cargo transportation, including from Armenia to the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as from the central parts of Armenia via Nakhichevan railway to Syunik region.
 
“The Azerbaijani side and some Armenian circles are constantly circulating the topic of the so-called “Meghri Corridor,” but as it has been mentioned many times, the trilateral statement of November 9 does not contain any provision on creating a corridor through Meghri or Armenia, in general,” she said.
 
She stressed that for the Armenian side, the issue of the return of the captives, the search for the bodies of the victims, the fate of the missing are crucial.
 
“Without a solution to these issues or significant progress, it will be extremely difficult to effectively discuss the economic agenda, and the Armenian side considers the discussion of this issue one of the key topics of the Moscow meeting,” Gevorgyan added.
 
She stressed that no document on the settlement of the Karabakh issue or any territorial issue is expected to be signed in Moscow.
 
The Spokesperson noted that a joint statement on the results of the meeting could be issued in case agreement is reached on issues on the agenda, i.e. economic issues, exchange of prisoners and missing persons.
 
The Prime Minister of Armenia, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia are expected to meet in Moscow on January 11.
 

Lawyer: Legal component not highlighted in settlement of Artsakh conflict

Adrine Hakobian
Panorama, Armenia

Jan 7 2021

The legal component was not highlighted in the settlement of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict, with the Armenian authorities relying heavily on political solutions, lawyer Siranush Sahakyan, a co-founder of Path of Law NGO, told a news conference on “National Catastrophe and Revival: Legal Component” on Thursday.

Siranush Sahakyan noted that in recent years Azerbaijan had been making every effort to belittle the format of the OSCE Minsk Group dealing with the Karabakh settlement.

"In these conditions, when we did not seek and find the legal path, legal mechanisms as an alternative way of resolving the problem, the military solution to the conflict seemed to be legitimized," Sahakyan said.

In 2020, according to the lawyer, such a solution was imposed. "How legitimate was the use of force by Azerbaijan? There are no answers to this question yet. Meanwhile, it is important for assessing the legality of the trilateral statement signed on November 9 by Yerevan, Moscow and Baku,” Sahakyan added.



Asbarez: Prelate Donoyan Welcomes Representatives of Churches, Schools, Organizations and Associations

Adrine Hakobian

January 5,  2020



On Monday and Tuesday, December 22 and 23, Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan welcomed representatives of churches, schools, communities, organizations who came to congratulate the Prelate on his election, as well as to express their heartfelt wishes, support and renewed their service to the Church.

Parish Priests and members of Board of Trustees and Ladies Guilds from Holy Martyrs, St. Mary’s, St. Sarkis, Forty Martyrs, Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley and the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood subsequently congratulated the Prelate and renewed their service to the Church and the Western Prelacy.

The Prelate emphasized that the ultimate goal of the Armenian Church is to serve God, the Armenian people and especially to involve the Armenian youth in the various spheres of the Church’s service life.

Among the visitors of the first day were Principals and faculty members of Ari Giragos Minasyan School, Holy Martyrs Farahian High School, Marie Cabayan Elementary School, and ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian Kindergarten. Many important aspects of the Armenian school’s presence were discussed, especially the role of the Armenian school in the life of Armenian children, adolescents and young adults living in the Diaspora.

Shortly afterwards, during a visit with members of the Armenian National Committee of Western America, the Prelate praised the work of the Committee on the political front and especially the efforts made to resolve political, military and social issues between Armenia and Artsakh within the US Congress. The multifaceted work of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the ANCA around the world for the recognition and reparation of the just rights of the Armenian people were also discussed.

On Tuesday, December 23, the first visitor was Mr. Ara Khachaturian, editor of “Asbarez” daily newspaper. An intimate conversation took place, during which the Prelate praised the more than 100-year-old pro-Armenian mission of the bilingual Asbarez newspaper. In the afternoon, Mr. Manoug Chukhajian, a Los Angeles-based member of Hamazkayin’s Central Committee, and members of the Regional Board paid a congratulatory visit to the Prelate. After praising Hamazkayin’s worldwide cultural activities, the Prelate expressed hope that with new and vibrant programs, they will continue the Armenian-inspired mission with youthful vigor and modernity.

In the afternoon, Homenetmen Western America Regional Board members visited the Western Prelacy and congratulated the Prelate on his election. The Prelate praised the activities of Homenetmen and wished them to “Rise” and continue to bring in a new quality into the national life of the Armenian, become the faithful heir of Armenian values and pass on the Homenetmen contributions to the next generations.

On the same day, the Prelate also welcomed members from the Armenian Youth of California, the Board of the Kessab Education Association, and the Brotherhood of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who also conveyed their heartfelt congratulations to the Prelate and, like everyone else, expressed their readiness to support the activities and programs of the Western Prelacy. In return, the Prelate praised the God-pleasing service which each organization brings, and wished them new achievements and new horizons in the future.

The two-day meetings took place in a welcoming atmosphere. Like the rest of the world, the Armenians of Western America are forced to live and act in the most prudent conditions in these days of a global pandemic. Everyone expressed high hopes that the New Year 2021 will be a blessed year for the Armenian Church, nation and homeland, full of positive achievements and successes.

Shirvanian Center in Gyumri Becomes a Hub for Assistance to Artsakh

Adrine Hakobian

January 2,  2020



The Shirvanian Youth Center along with the “We Are Gyumri” committee continued to work in 2020 and have a huge impact on youth in Gyumri, Armenia. Despite the difficulties that Armenia faced in 2020, we didn’t stop to educate, help and create.

Unfortunately, we started the year with COVID 19 pandemic which forced us to work and do activities online. This was a new challenge for us to overcome. During the pandemic we welcomed 9 new ‘’Mina Shirvanian Scholarship’’ recipients from the universities of Shirak Region. Due to the efforts and generosity of our sponsors, in total this year we have had 12 recipients of ‘’Mina Shirvanian Scholarship’’ program.

On September 27th, we woke up to another war. Azeri military forces started large -scale attacks along the entire Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. The AYF members and volunteers went there to defend our homeland. During this time many families came from Artsakh and settled in Gyumri. Our volunteers started to collect essential supplies for displaced families. They also collected supplies for our soldiers on the frontline. The volunteers came to Shirvanian Youth Center and with willingness did all kinds of work to keep the back firm here. Unfortunately, we lost thousands of brave soldiers, volunteers and our homeland. But we didn’t lose our hope and faith as we are going to create and develop our homeland. We will continue to educate and grow up the youth for our future. We are sure that one day we will get back all our lands and will complete the mission of our fallen soldiers.

At the end of the year we launched a new initiative for the families from Artsakh staying in Gyumri and Shirak Region. With the help of our sponsors we have collected 285 blankets and boxes of hygiene items to provide to each family. Also we’ve cooperated with “Eyes on Artsakh” and have provided with food for 142 families from Artsakh.

Recently the Homenetmen ‘’Vahan Cheraz’’ chapter, which works at Shirvanian Youth Center, has organized an event for the youth of Artsakh. They invited them at Shirvanian Youth Center, got acquainted with each other, played games, talked and had much fun together. Later they had a city tour in Gyumri.

We wish power and wisdom to our nation in 2021 for overcoming the upcoming challenges with honor.

The establishment of the center would not have been possible without the generous contribution by the late Hacob and Mina Shirvanian, for whom creating and advancing educational and cultural opportunities for the youth of Armenia was a life-long priority. Accordingly the center was named after them and their legacy lives on through the vibrant activities carried out at the center. Hacob and Mina Shirvanian traveled to Gyumri and were present at the ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony of the center. To celebrate the couple’s unwavering support, the “We Are Gyumri” committee decided to name its annual scholarship program in memory of Mina Shirvanian.

The “We are Gyumri” program is an initiative of the ARF Western U.S. Central Committee.

Ottoman Empire’s genocide against Armenians should teach us about the cost of doing nothing – human rights advocate

Adrine Hakobian
Public Radio of Armenia

Dec 29 2020

The case of the Ottoman Empire’s genocide against the Armenians is a case that should teach us about the cost of doing nothing, Ewelina U. Ochab writes in an article published by Forbes.

The Armenian genocide took place between 1915 and 1923 when 1.5 million ethnic Armenians were arrested, deported or murdered by the Ottoman Empire. Currently, some 32 countries recognize the events as meeting the legal definition of genocide.

“The official recognition of historic cases as genocide is not a matter of semantics. Such an official recognition is crucial for survivors and their families in their efforts to move on. It is crucial for reconciliation and discovery of the truth. It is also crucial to deter similar crimes in the future, to ensure that such atrocities do not happen again. As we witness some concerning signs that the atrocities may happen again, we see little political will to engage and prevent the atrocities from materializing,” the author writes.

“For many of us, genocide happens far from home, and falls within the purview of “foreign policy.” As such, genocide is not a top priority for politicians. Ultimately, politicians rely on their electorate in their respective countries. If the people who choose politicians do not raise the issue, do not show that this is what they want their politicians to engage with, nothing will be done,” she continues.

According to Ewelina U. Ochab, “to address the general lack of interest in early warning signs and risk factors of genocide, some public figures have become more vocal on the issue, for example in the recent case of the atrocities in Nagorno-Karabkh.”

“Artists and celebrities such as Cher and Kim Kardashian, with millions of fans and followers on social media, have been speaking out about the deteriorating situation. Others, such as the heavy metal band System Of A Down, turned their messages into music. Amid the deteriorating situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, System Of A Down released two singles, “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz” to engage the public and to raise funds to help those affected. The two singles have raised over $600,000 for the Armenia Fund. Members of the band have also been using their social media presence to inform their followers about the situation in Nagorno-Karabkh and the concerning developments as the situation was deteriorating,” the article reads.

The author notes that “their engagement and important voice on the issue shows that raising awareness of genocide is not a matter to be left to legal experts, researcher and journalists only.”

“In fact, in order to turn the slogan of “Never Again” into reality, everyone needs to play their part. Genocide prevention is not a job of a few, it is a job for the whole humanity,” she concludes.

Ewelina U. Ochab is a human rights advocate, author and co-founder of the Coalition for Genocide Response.



Armenian, Russian FMs discuss issues of regional peace, stability and security

Adrine Hakobian
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 30 2020

Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian had a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

In follow-up to the recent conversation, the Foreign Ministers exchanged views on issues of regional peace, stability and security, discussed steps aimed at maintaining the ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and stabilizing the situation in Artsakh.

A number of issues on the Armenian-Russian agenda were also at the core of the conversation. In this regard, the parties highlighted the high dynamics of bilateral allied cooperation, attaching importance to furthering it the coming year.