Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Catholic Armenian prisoner sends open letter to Pope Francis

Emil Lazarian
Christian Post
feb 22 2024
By Uzay Bulut and Luciana Minassian, Op-ed contributor Thursday,

A man prays in Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shusha, Azerbaijan after it was partly destroyed by shelling in October 2020. | Christian Solidarity International

Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) have been illegally detained and tortured in Azerbaijan’s jails for the past three years in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws.

These prisoners were arrested by Azeri forces during Azerbaijan's war against the Armenian Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh in 2020 as well as its aftermath.

The military of Azerbaijan — with the help of Turkey — attacked Artsakh between 27 September 2020 and 10 November 2020. The war was suspended through an agreement mediated by Russia and signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia.

According to the agreement, all prisoners of war should have been returned and none other arrested after the agreement’s enactment. Azerbaijan, however, refuses to honor this and continues to illegally hold and abuse Armenian POWs.

One is a Catholic Armenian prisoner of war who through an open letter has called on Pope Francis and the Vatican to help him.

Gevorg Sujyan is the founding president of the “New Armenia Homeland-Diaspora Charitable NGO.” Along with another humanitarian worker, Davit Davtyan, Sujyan was arrested by Azeri forces in Artsakh after the November 2020 ceasefire agreement.

Both were part of the non-governmental organization that was providing humanitarian aid near the Shushi region of Arsakh, which was under attack by Azerbaijan.

Sujyan and Davtyan faced an unjust trial in 2021, resulting in a 15-year imprisonment sentence at a Baku detention center. The charges against them, including accusations of “espionage,” were based on a series of articles from the Azerbaijani criminal code. The Baku Court on Grave Crimes orchestrated these trials, which were marked by illegal, illegitimate, and improper proceedings.

Through his family, Sujyan sent an open letter to Pope Francis, asking for help to secure his release:

The Reverend Father,

I offer you the bitter sorrow and the tragic plea of my heart. Please receive these concise and sincere words with kindness, and not with anger. May my heartfelt appeal reach you now, and may the prisoner’s wish be granted in the name of God.

I repent of my sin. I am not a murderer. I have not cheated, yet I am condemned as a criminal. I am misunderstood. I am left with no hope of survival, I am trapped in endless despair…

And now I humbly beg you, merciful Father, to release me from the prison of sins for I have repented for my wrongdoings. Grant me, the undeserving, salvation and freedom. Alleviate my sadness with your mercy. I implore you, take me out of the profound abyss.

I have a family, a son who awaits my return, shedding endless tears. My pleas are filled with anguish, and they resonate from the very depths of my soul. Where will I find my salvation?

Please help me, be the mediator who will save my soul …

Gevorg Ruben Sujyan

The first Armenian genocide in modern history occurred in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. Approximately 1.5 million Armenians perished.

Over 100 years later, from 2020 to 2023, Armenians faced Turkish and Azeri military assaults, illegal blockades, and forced displacements. Azerbaijan and Turkey carried out an ethnic cleansing campaign against Armenians in Artsakh. This included methods such as starving, indiscriminately bombing and forcibly displacing around 120,000 Armenians. Azeri forces beheaded and mutilated Armenians — both civilians and soldiers — and posted videos of these beheadings on social media.

The subsequent mistreatment of Armenian captives is deeply concerning. Accused of violating various articles of Azerbaijan's Penal Code, Sujyan and Davtyan underwent sham trials in Baku's Serious Crimes Court. These trials were shaped by unlawfulness, arbitrariness, and a lack of due process. Armenian detainees faced false accusations and were denied basic guarantees, including the right to a defense lawyer from the moment of their arrest. This contravenes fundamental principles of justice and human rights.

Under the Geneva Convention, these individuals, classified as prisoners of war, should have been promptly repatriated after their arrest. The deliberate disregard for these international norms by Azerbaijan is a blatant violation of humanitarian principles.

A report by the University Network for Human Rights entitled “How Three Years of Atrocities Against Ethnic Armenians Led to Ethnic Cleansing” details the types of torture that the Armenian POWs are routinely exposed to in Azeri jails:

“Armenians captured by Azerbaijan during and after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, as well as in the course of fighting on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in September 2022, have been subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment while in Azerbaijani custody.

Forms of torture and mistreatment have included prolonged and repeated beatings with batons, skewers, brooms, and firearms; laceration of wrists with zip-ties; employment of electro-shock and stress positions; sleep deprivation; confiscation of warm clothing during extreme cold; deprivation of food, water, and hygiene products; and infliction of mental suffering and humiliation.”

The actual number of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan is unknown because Azerbaijan refuses to be transparent about the number. It is also unknown how many POWs were executed after their capture.

According to the Center for Truth and Justice,

“Twenty-three Armenians are being illegally detained in Azerbaijan … However, it is suspected that many more POWs and civilian hostages are lingering in Azerbaijani prisons. Now that both wars have ended, all detainees must be freed immediately under the Geneva Conventions. However, Azerbaijan refuses to comply.”

Sujyan, Davtyan and other Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan are tortured for being Christian and Armenian. Governments across the world and international human rights organizations appear to abandon them and ignore their plight. Will Pope Francis and the Vatican hear their call and help liberate them from the captivity and torture they have been suffering for the past three years?

Uzay Bulut is a Turkish journalist formerly based in Ankara.

Luciana Minassian is a human rights lawyer based in Argentina.

https://www.christianpost.com/voices/catholic-armenian-prisoner-sends-open-letter-to-pope-francis.html

Armenia, France will always maintain special relations – French Prime Minister

Emil Lazarian

 20:49,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and France have had and will always maintain special relations, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said in a post on X, publishing a photo from the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"Infrastructures, energy, education, culture. Thank you, dear Nikol Pashinyan, for the exchange of views, which reaffirm our mutual desire to strengthen cooperation between our two countries.

We will continue to fully support Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Attal posted.

Kristina Kvien: U.S. stands with Armenia

Emil Lazarian
MediaMax
Armenia – Feb 22 2024

“The past year has brought challenges to Armenia. Despite this, the US-Armenia partnership is strong and getting stronger,” the Ambassador Kvien said in a video summing up one year of her activity in Armenia.

She noted that the United States stands with Armenia as a partner and friend.

“I work every day to help Armenia thrive as a strong, independent member of the world’s community of democracies,” U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien said.


Armenia’s Triumph at the European Weightlifting Championships: The Story of Dedication and Strength

Emil Lazarian
Feb 22 2024
Salman Khan

When the Armenian weightlifting team touched down at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport, a wave of pride and joy swept through the air. Fresh from their remarkable performance at the European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, the athletes were not just carrying their luggage, but also an impressive haul of medals that testified to their strength, dedication, and the spirit of a nation. Leading the medal count with a total of 11 gold, 7 silver, and 8 bronze medals, Armenia had once again proven its mettle in the realm of weightlifting on the European stage.

Among the heroes welcomed home, Hripsime Khurshudyan, a 36-year-old mother of two, stood out for her extraordinary achievement. Competing in the women's 87kg category, Khurshudyan lifted a total of 227kg to secure the bronze medal. Her performance was not just a testament to her physical strength but also her unyielding spirit. Despite facing serious injuries and the looming thought of retirement, Khurshudyan's dedication to her sport and her country remained unwavering. "This medal is more than a piece of metal; it's the fulfillment of a promise I made to raise the Armenian flag," Khurshudyan reflected, her satisfaction with her performance shining through her words.

The European Championships were a rollercoaster of emotions for Khurshudyan. After her final attempt, she kissed the barbell, a gesture of farewell to the sport she loved, and removed her sneakers – a symbol in weightlifting that typically signifies retirement. Yet, in a twist of fate, she later discovered she had won a bronze medal. This unexpected victory has given Khurshudyan a new perspective, leaving her undecided about ending her illustrious career. "I'm focusing on my recovery now," she mentioned, hinting at her intention to compete in the upcoming World Championships in December.

The championships also highlighted the emergence of new talents and the consistent brilliance of veteran athletes. Samvel Gasparyan, with his silver medal in the men's 102kg category, and Varazdat Lalayan's gold in the super-heavyweights, underscored Armenia's depth in weightlifting talent. Gasparyan's achievement was particularly noteworthy, adding a silver to his collection of medals from previous years and signifying his role as a stalwart in the sport. Lalayan's victory was equally compelling, marking him as a strong contender for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

As the Armenian team reflects on their achievements and looks towards future challenges, their success at the European Championships serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. It's a reminder of the power of dedication, the importance of resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of athletes who, against all odds, continue to strive for excellence. While the journey of Hripsime Khurshudyan and her teammates is far from over, their story of triumph in Sofia will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of weightlifters in Armenia and beyond.

https://bnnbreaking.com/sports/armenias-triumph-at-the-european-weightlifting-championships-the-story-of-dedication-and-strength

Europeans for Artsakh movement calls for banning Azerbaijan from 2024 Olympics

Emil Lazarian

 15:03,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. The Europeans for Artsakh movement has urged the International Olympic Committee to take a stand against Azerbaijan's participation in the 2024 Olympic Games.

The movement has sent a letter to the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concerning Azerbaijan's participation in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris and has called on the IOC to undertake concrete measures. The letter was also sent to the French National Olympic Committee, the French Olympic Games Organising Committee, the City of Paris, the President of the French Republic and the Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Europeans for Artsakh said in a press release.

Referring to the ongoing conflict and the ethnic cleansing committed by Azerbaijan against the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Europeans for Artsakh movement urged the IOC to ban Azerbaijan from being represented as a state at the forthcoming Olympic Games and to allow Azerbaijani athletes to compete only under a neutral banner. “This call comes in the wake of Azerbaijan's genocidal policy and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh, which led to the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians from their ancestral lands and homeland in September 2023,” the movement said.

Only the French National Olympic Committee replied to the letter, according to the press release, acknowledging the situation and indicating that its position was in line with that of the French government and its diplomatic efforts, while stating: "we cannot remain insensitive to such a catastrophe."

“Europeans for Artsakh expects a clear position from the International Olympic Committee, since a failure to respond would undermine the integrity of the Olympic Games and pave the way for warmongering states.The movement will continue to put pressure for the sake of integrity and justice in this regard.”

Europeans for Artsakh is a pan-European movement bringing together the representative bodies of the 15 Armenian communities in Europe. It was the initiator of an appeal addressed to the leaders of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as to the leaders of the Member States of the Council of Europe, in support of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. This appeal was co-signed by more than 500 European associations.

The mission of this movement is to mobilise citizens and take the necessary action to ensure that the fundamental rights of the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) are exercised and guaranteed.

Asbarez: Ferrahian, Cabayan, and Pilavjian Schools Gala Blossoms with Success

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 

 

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

A scene from the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian, Cabayan, and Pilavjian Schools Gala held on Feb. 3


Nearly 300 community members gathered at Republic Venue in Sherman Oaks on February 3 for the annual gala of the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian, Cabayan, and Pilavjian Schools, celebrating the theme “Where Young Minds Blossom.” The evening, emceed by Gerard Kassabian, was a resounding success, raising an impressive $300,000 to support the schools’ continued growth and excellence.

The event opened with prayers and blessings from Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian. This was followed by a stirring performance of the Armenian and American national anthems along with the Ferrahian school song by students Areni Ekmekjian, Maya Kazandjian, and Krystal Kojaoghlanian setting the stage for a night of celebration and community spirit.

School board chairman Vahe Benlian welcomed guests and highlighted the schools’ recent accomplishments. These include continued enrollment growth of more than 40 percent within the past two years from Preschool to High School, exciting expansion plans of North Hills Campus Cabayan Elementary and Pilavjian Preschool by the way of purchasing adjacent 1.7 acre property for $3.5 million and plans to start building the long awaited new elementary classrooms, administration, cafeteria, lab and gymnasium. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award to Zaven Keuroghlian and Van Der Megerdichian of Zartonk Media News Service, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the global Armenian community.

Guests generously pledged their support throughout the evening, culminating in a remarkable $300,000 raised. This included a significant $100,000 endowment established by the Cabayan family, longtime benefactors of Cabayan Elementary. To further engage the community in this exciting journey, a new “Brick Project” fundraiser was unveiled. This initiative allows individuals to purchase personalized commemorative bricks that will be laid on the footsteps of the new campus expansion in Encino, creating a lasting legacy of support.

“The success of this gala is a testament to the incredible spirit of our school community,” remarked Sossi Shanlian, principal of Ferrahian. “The funds raised will allow us to continue providing our students with the highest quality education and nurture their intellectual, emotional, and cultural growth.”

Beyond the fundraising, the evening provided a platform for community connection and celebration. Attendees enjoyed delicious food, lively entertainment, and the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, parents, and supporters.

The Holy Martyrs Ferrahian, Cabayan, and Pilavjian Schools’ gala was a resounding success, solidifying the schools’ commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a vibrant community.

Aurora Humanitarian Initiative events to take place in Los Angeles

Emil Lazarian

 14:06,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative announced that a special series of events will be held from May 8–10, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. The events, including the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony and the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum, are being organized in partnership with The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA.

The events are co-chaired by Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, and Co-Founder and Chairman of Moderna, and Dr. Eric Esrailian, UCLA professor and Chief of the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases. Dr. Esrailian, also an Emmy-nominated film producer and entrepreneur, led the efforts to establish The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA in 2017.

“We are honored to join forces with The Promise Institute for Human Rights to support outstanding humanitarians and human rights defenders putting themselves at risk to help others,” said Dr. Afeyan. “Over the past eight years, Aurora has fostered a global network of like-minded individuals committed to this important work, and we look forward to the events in Los Angeles to further elevate the voices of grassroots activists everywhere and show the world the power of each individual to bring about positive change.”

“The 2024 Aurora Prize events in Los Angeles will offer guests and participants a chance to express their appreciation to those who selflessly help others in need. People will hopefully come away inspired to channel that gratitude into action, join us in this global movement, and contribute to our common cause,” said Dr. Esrailian, co-chair of the events. “By shining a light on the best of humanity, which often emerges in the darkest of times, we intend to raise awareness – both in the US and around the world – of ordinary human beings whose sense of compassion and justice motivates them to do extraordinary things.”

The 2024 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Laureate will be announced during the Aurora Prize Ceremony, with the Laureate selected from the Aurora Humanitarians shortlisted in September 2023.  The prize award will enable the Laureate to continue the cycle of giving and supporting grassroots humanitarians and organizations that give a second chance to people in need. 

The Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum and other events will bring together leading experts in the field for insightful discussions on a range of topics including gender justice, women’s empowerment, global health crisis and education.

Russia releases Azerbaijani national wanted by Armenia after brief arrest

Emil Lazarian

 16:17,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Russian authorities have released Azerbaijani national Kamil Zeynalli after briefly detaining him at a Moscow airport pursuant to an Armenian international arrest warrant, his lawyer has said.

Kamil Zeynalli’s lawyer Alekber Garayev told Azeri media that his client is wanted by Armenia under Article 135 (crimes against humanity), 147 (mercenaryism) and 149 (aggression) of the Armenian Criminal Code.

Other media reports said Zeynalli is also wanted under Article 140 (war crimes committed through prohibited methods of warfare).

The general prosecution of Armenia, however, told Armenpress that they don’t have any official information about Zeynalli’s arrest in Moscow.

Zeynalli is on Armenia’s interstate wanted list, Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson Narek Sargsyan told Armenpress. He did not elaborate. “The mentioned individual is on the interstate wanted list on a murder charge,” he said.

Armenia, EU explore security cooperation options – Vassilis Maragos

Emil Lazarian

 18:04,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and the European Union are exploring options for cooperation in the field of security.

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos said at the press conference organized on the occasion of the first anniversary of the EU Mission in Armenia, addressing the issue of the expansion of Armenia-EU relations.

"We are now working on a new agenda for Armenia-EU partnership. The Council of the European Union has asked the European Commission and the High Representative to develop options for further enhancing Armenia-EU relations in all directions. We are talking about the ongoing process, it concerns both sides," said Maragos.

The EU ambassador said that they are discussing what the wish of Armenian citizens in this regard. He highly praised the partnership based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

"We are a very important partner in many reforms for Armenia. We are also exploring options to collaborate in the security field. We are specifically discussing the possibility of Armenia's participation in the European Peace Facility," said the Ambassador.

He said that after the development of the agenda is completed, Armenia and the EU will be able to issue a statement. Maragos emphasized that the EU should address the ambitions of the Armenian people.