Author: Christine Harutyunian

Russian peacekeepers deploy reserves to stop Azeri advance in Karabakh

Christine Harutyunian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia, March 29 2022
March 29, 2022 – 10:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent has decided to deploy reserves to prevent the further advance of the Azerbaijani troops in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a statement published on the peacekeepers official Telegram channel.

The statement reminded that on March 24, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces crossed the line of contact near the settlement of Parukh, violating Paragraph 1 of the Trilateral Statement between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan from November 9, 2020.

"Currently, the settlement is under the control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent," it added.

The statement came amid renewed violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, as Azerbaijan stormed into the zone of the responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers stationed in the area and is refusing to completely withdraw its forces from strategic heights.

Asbarez: Chloe Nickie Donates $10,000 to Homenetmen ‘Hrashq’ Program

Christine Harutyunian
by Contributor

 

 March 30, 2022

 

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

The Ghazarian family with Homenetmen Hrashq participants

Homenetmen Western U.S. received a generous donation of $10,000 from Chloe Nickie on March 27 in support of the region’s Hrashq program.

Chloe Nickie is a passion project of the Ghazarian family. The Ghazarians have been blessed with an autistic daughter named Chloe.

“Chloe has taught us the importance of kindness, patience, compassion, and respect,” said her father, co-founder of Chloe Nickie, Artin Ghazarian. “These attributes allow our family to keep a very grounded and real perspective on what is important in life.”

The Ghazarian family believes it is important to give back and make a difference for all special needs children.

Chloe Nickie is an online women’s shoe store that provides higher-end, designer brands at unbeatable prices. Since its inception, the company’s mission has been to donate a significant portion of proceeds to organizations that support autism, to offer children the chance to live their best life possible.  

Homenetmen Western U.S. is honored to be selected as the recipient of their first donation and is grateful for the impact the contribution will make for the Hrashq community. The donation will help create and continue programs, which will help children further grow and flourish.

The organization looks forward to partnering with the Ghazarian family on future initiatives and programs. They invite community members to join them on their journey by shopping for a cause at the Chloe Nickie website or sharing their story with your family and friends. You can use their exclusive code HRASHQ20 for 20 percent off all shoe purchases!

Sports: Armenia and Sweden take running target titles at European Shooting Championship

Christine Harutyunian
March 24 2022

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  • y Michael Houston

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  •  Thursday, 24 March 2022

    • Armenia and Sweden were victorious in the women's and men's running target finals with both gold medals being contested between compatriots on the latest day of the European Shooting Championship (10 metres) in Hamar in Norway.

    Armenia's Lilit Mkrtchyan won in straightforward fashion against team-mate Arusyak Grigoryan, beating her 6-0 for the women's gold medal.

    Mkrtchyan defeated Hungarian Gabriella Kortvelyessy 6-1 in the semi-finals, with Grigoryan winning by the same score against Estonia's Heili Lepp.

    Bronze went to Lepp, who defeated Kortvelyessy 6-3.

    Emil Martinsson of Sweden took the men's gold medal, after beating Jesper Nyberg 6-1.

    A competitive semi-final saw Martinsson defeat Jozsef Sike of Hungary 9-7 to make the final.

    Nyberg defeated Lukasz Czapla of Poland 6-3 to make it into the gold medal match before losing to his compatriot.

    Sike took the bronze medal by a 6-3 score line over Czapla.

    The European Championship is scheduled to end on Monday (March 28).

    Asbarez: Senator Portantino Visits Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten

    Christine Harutyunian
    by Contributor

     

     March 23, 2022

     

    in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

    Senator Portantino with Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten students and teachers

    PASADENA—The students and staff at Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten welcomed Senator Anthony J. Portantino to their campus on Friday, March 18. The Senator was received by Tavlian Preschool Director Garine Joukadarian, Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools Chairperson Sarkis Ourfalian, and school Board member Shant Baboujan.

    “It was fun to visit Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten and receive such a warm welcome from the students upon entering the campus,” stated Senator Portantino. “Spending time at a preschool brought back memories of my two daughters and how fast time goes by.”

    “It was great to meet the wonderful teachers who have created such a nurturing environment for the kids and who work tirelessly to ensure their success. I look forward to my next visit and watching this wonderful place continue to care for our children,” added Portantino.

    Senator Portantino, who represents the 25th Senate District, has been a close friend of the Armenian American community and a champion of the Armenian Cause since being elected to public office. He spearheaded the establishment of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange and currently serves as its Chair.

    In this capacity, the Senator visited Armenia and Artsakh on multiple occasions, and most recently led efforts to establish a California-Armenia Trade Desk in Yerevan. He has authored countless legislation and resolutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide and has been a strong proponent of including the Armenian Genocide as part of the state’s curriculum.

    California has the largest population of Armenian Americans in the United States, with the 25th Senate District having the largest concentration of Armenians in the diaspora.

    “It was a pleasure to welcome Senator Portantino at one of our Prelacy Armenian Schools and Preschools,” said the Board of Regents Chairperson Sarkis Ourfalian. “We are honored that the Senator was interested in visiting Tavlian Armenian Preschool and had the opportunity to personally interact with our beloved students, teachers, and staff.”

    “On behalf of the Board of Regents and the entire Prelacy Armenian Schools family we thank Senator Portantino for being one of the devoted supporters of the Armenian American community and for the commitment he has shown towards our community,” concluded Ourfalian.

    L. & H. Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten was established in 1992 in Pasadena, California. The school held its first semester and class instructions with four students. Since its establishment 30 years ago, Tavlian has graduated nearly 2,000 students. The school is licensed by the State of California and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Tavlian Preschool and Kindergarten offers an all-day developmentally appropriate program for children ages two through five. Currently, the school serves 70 students with 16 faculty and staff.

    Azerbiajan Makes Military Incursion Into Russian-Controlled Territory In Nagorno-Karabakh After Russian Peacekeepers Leave For Ukraine

    Christine Harutyunian
    by Tsarizm Staff

    Azerbaijani Armed Forces went on the offensive in Karabakh, taking advantage of the departure of a Russian soldiers to Ukraine, – reported UA Insider in Ukraine, Azerbaijan decided to take this step, since the Russian military “peacekeepers” (who entered the disputed territories in 2020) went to war in Ukraine. It is reported that in the neighboring village of Pirlyar (Khramort), Armenian separatists are gathering for defense.

    The Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement on December 9 that two of its soldiers were wounded after Azerbaijani armed forces “opened intensive fire from firearms of different calibers” at Armenian military positions in the Gegharkunik region, reported RFERL.

    Ucom provided technical assistance to Shengavit Administrative District of Yerevan

    Christine Harutyunian

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     15:56,

    YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. (Ucom Press Release) Ucom has provided technical assistance to the staff of Shengavit administrative district of Yerevan, thanks to which the relevant department of the administrative district will be able to detect environmental issues more quickly with the surveillance cameras installed at 20 addresses. This, in turn, will allow to respond faster to problems and prevent possible violations. 

    “Today, it is difficult to imagine any field where telecommunication infrastructures are not a basis for innovative solutions, and for setting new benchmarks in the quality of work. With the active support of operators, we can plan and design smart cities, by engaging specialists from many fields”, said Ara Khachatryan, Director General at Ucom. 

    “We are glad that Ucom expressed readiness to act as a technical supporter of our initiative. We are full of hope that as a result of this cooperation, a number of urgent problems of our administrative district will be solved more substantially”, noted Razmik Mkrtchyan, the head of Shengavit administrative district. 

    During current year the staff of Shengavit administrative district plans to increase the number of existing cameras.

    Weekly COVID-19 cases up 8% worldwide – WHO

    Christine Harutyunian

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     13:10, 16 March, 2022

    YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Over 11 mln people contracted the novel coronavirus infection worldwide over the past week, more than 43,000 patients died, TASS reports citing the World Health Organization (WHO).

    The number of new infections increased by 8%, while the number of fatalities declined by 17% compared to the previous seven-day period.

    At the same time, mortality continues to decline. The past seven days saw 17% less deaths than during the previous seven-day period.

    According to the WHO COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, a total of 11,407,714 new cases and 43,097 deaths were reported to the global organization between February 28 and March 6.

    The growth in cases was reported in the Western Pacific region (up 29%), Africa (up 12%) and Europe (up 2%). In the remaining three WHO regions, cases have declined.

    Mortality grew in Western Pacific (up 12%), but declined in all other regions, most noticeably in Eastern Mediterranean (down 49%) and Africa (down 41%). Europe saw the decline of 23%, America – of 15%.

    Europe accounts for 44% of all new cases registered worldwide in the past week.

    The biggest number of infections was reported by the Republic of Korea (2,100,171), followed by Vietnam (1,670,627), Germany (1,350,362), the Netherlands (475,290) and France (419,632). The United States accounts for the majority of coronavirus-related deaths between February 28 and March 6 (9,078), followed by Russia (4,530), Brazil (3,301), Indonesia (1,994) and China (1,955).

    As of March 15, the WHO cumulative global statistics indicated 458,479,635 cases and 6,047,653 fatalities worldwide. The number of new cases grew by 1,413,309 in the past day, while fatalities increased by 3,805.

    Armenia overhauls criminal legislation aligning it with ECHR judgments

    Christine Harutyunian
    Council of Europe

    By its decision of 9 March in the Virabyan group of cases the Committee of Ministers welcomed the adoption by Armenia in 2021 of the new Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure which will enter into force in July this year.

    This new legislation addresses multiple issues raised by ECHR judgments in cases concerning notably torture in law enforcement and unlawful detention. It eliminates statutes of limitation for torture, provides for additional procedural guarantees against ill-treatment and unlawful detention, as well as for fair trial safeguards.

    The importance of rapid adoption of this legislation had been highlighted by the Committee of Ministers on several occasions in its decisions related to the Mushegh Saghatelyan, Virabyan and Muradyan groups of cases. The Council of Europe supported the preparation of the new codes with legal expertise in order for them to be aligned with the ECHR standards.

    NGOs of persons with disabilities reflect on difficult humanitarian situation in Karabakh

    Christine Harutyunian
    News.am, Armenia
    14:19, 16.03.2022

    The Coalition for Inclusive Legal Reforms has issued a statement on the difficult humanitarian situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The statement reads as follows:   The Coalition for Inclusive Legal Reforms, which is a union of organizations of persons with disabilities, is outraged by the difficult humanitarian situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) since March 8. Due to the damage of the [natural] gas pipeline entering from the Republic of Armenia, the gas supply to the Republic of Artsakh has been suspended since then. The damaged part of the gas pipeline is under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces, which makes it impossible for Armenians to enter the mentioned territories in the circumstances of the anti-Armenian policy of the Azerbaijani government.  

    The disruption of the gas supply has led to massive human rights violations of more than a hundred thousand people, having a disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities and their families.   The lack of gas supply, exacerbating the humanitarian difficulties of the post-war situation and the pandemic, hinders the realization of the rights to education, health and independent living of the persons with disabilities living in Artsakh. In particular, in the absence of affordable gas and public transport, the rise in gasoline prices has led to an increase in the price of taxi services, which hinders the free movement of citizens, especially those with mobility difficulties. Organizations providing rehabilitation and care services are forced to act with restrictions, failing to provide a completely safe environment for citizens with health conditions. Incomplete operation of pre-school and secondary education institutions may impair the exercise of children's right to inclusive education, leading to the exclusion of children with disabilities from education.  

    We are deeply concerned about the security and protection of all persons in the Artsakh Republic (Nagorno-Karabakh), as well as the well-founded fear that now pervades the daily life of every member of the society.   We demand from the Republic of Azerbaijan to listen to the collective voice of the people of Artsakh, to take all necessary actions for the urgent restoration of gas supply, intimidation of the civilian population and abandonment of the policy based on Armenophobia, and for peaceful coexistence. We reiterate our call for the observance of the principles of international law, including the rules of war for the protection of the civilian population, for the immediate and unconditional cessation of all hostilities and the demonstrative deployment of heavy military equipment.  

    We urge the Republic of Armenia to continue the implementation of emergency humanitarian assistance programs in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), prioritizing the support of persons with disabilities and their families, the right to independent living and the security of persons living in institutions. We urge the government to work with organizations for persons with disabilities in Armenia and Artsakh to make all humanitarian assistance programs more inclusive, effective, and accessible.  

    We expect the international organizations and diplomatic missions to clearly condemn the massive human rights violations by the Azerbaijani authorities, in case of deliberate obstruction of the obstacles, if possible, to impose economic, other obstacles and restrictions, to study, respond to the needs of children and adults with disabilities. We consider the strengthening of organizations created and led by persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) as a priority to protect human rights.  

    We expect the Russian peacekeeping mission to coordinate the efforts of all stakeholders to achieve the restoration of vital guarantees of social security in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), including the restoration of the gas supply.   We urge humanitarian organizations and individuals to increase their assistance to persons with disabilities while promoting employment for them and their families. It is urgent to provide the Artsakh care nursing home, psychiatric center, and organizations providing child care services with electric heating devices. At the same time, we urge you not to make investments that could indefinitely prolong the isolation of persons with disabilities in the institutions, but to support their right to live in the community and the development of community-based services.  

    Signatory organizations:   "Emili Aregak" Center for Children and Youth with Multiple Disabilities "Full Life" NGO "Salvation" NGO  "White Hawk" NGO for the protection of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities "The Voice of Silence" NGO "Armenian Camp"  NGO  "Astghatsolk" NGO "EasyLife Benevolent" NGO  "We Can" NGO "Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor" NGO "Agate Rights Defense Center For Women with Disabilities" NGO "Equal Right, Equal Opportunities" NGO

    Azerbaijan is trying to aggravate the situation on the border with Armenia and in Nagorno Karabakh. Ambassador Mkrtchyan

    Christine Harutyunian

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     16:44,

    YEREVAN, 12 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is trying to take advantage of the extremely tense international situation to aggravate the situation both on the border with Armenia and in Nagorno Karabakh, ARMENPRESS reports Armenian Ambassador to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan said in an interview with TV100 Thessaloniki, one of the largest Greek TV channels, referring to the recent ceasefire violations by the Azerbaijani armed forces.

    Speaking about the adoption of the resolution "On the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno Karabakh" by the European Parliament, the Ambassador highly appreciated the involvement of Greek and Cypriot MEPs in its adoption.

    Answering the journalist's question on the Armenia-Turkey normalisation process, Ambassador Mkrtchyan noted that two meetings of special representatives have already taken place, and the parties agreed to continue the negotiations aimed at a full normalisation without preconditions.

    Ambassador Mkrtchyan referred to the current level of relations between Armenia and Greece, noting that they can be considered sufficient, at the same time emphasizing the need for continuous work in all possible spheres.

    In his speech, Ambassador Mkrtchyan also presented the centuries-old cultural ties between the two countries, the progress made in Armenia in recent years in various fields, spoke about the opportunities for scientific cooperation and tourism, and praised the role of the Greek-Armenian community in developing relations between the two countries.