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

France to continue developing defense cooperation with Armenia: Macron

Emil Lazarian

 21:33,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. France will continue developing cooperation with Armenia in the field of defense.

French President Emmanuel Macron said this during a joint statement with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for media representatives.

“We will continue to develop cooperation in the field of defense. France has given its consent to the supply of defense equipment and France will continue in the spirit of its commitment in this area, aiming to prevent any escalation,” Macron said.

He added that France also continues its humanitarian commitment to the refugees of Nagorno-Karabakh by providing 29 million euros in 2023.

According to him, France will decisively continue to support the development of relations between the European Union and Armenia.

Macron deems Azerbaijan’s retaliatory strike on Armenian positions disproportionate

Emil Lazarian

 21:48,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Macron called the attack by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against the Armenian positions in the Nerkin Hand on February 13 disproportionate. French President Emmanuel Macron said this during a press conference with the Prime Minister of Armenia.

“France regrets that an Azerbaijani was injured as a result of the shooting on February 12, which was also accepted by the leadership of Armenia with full transparency. However, France regrets the disproportionate response by Azerbaijan, which resulted in four deaths and injuries on the Armenian side,” Macron said.

UNICEF and partners to develop legal and policy framework to strengthen resilience and protection of children from cyber-enabled crime and online harm

Emil Lazarian
UNICEF
Feb 19 2024
09 February 2024

YEREVAN, 9 February – Marking Safe Internet Day, UNICEF was joined by partners, adolescents and young people at Echmiadzin open youth house to present its work on strengthening the resilience and protection of children in Armenia from organized cyber-enabled crime and online harm.  The young participants discussed cyber safety and security literacy with UNICEF Representative in Armenia Mrs Christine Weigand, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Mr John Gallagher, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Ms Arpine Sargsyan and First Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry Mr Gevorg Mantashyan.

Within the framework of this new initiative, UNICEF will work with partners to support the Government of Armenia to develop legislation, policies, and standards to protect children from online risks and harms. UNICEF will also address the need to enhance the capacities of law enforcement and child protection professionals, and empower children and adolescents, parents and teachers to better protect children from online risks and harms.

“In a world where 71% of 15 to 24-year-olds are using the Internet, it becomes of outstanding importance that every person, especially adolescents and young people, have the capabilities to make the most of digital opportunities and of the internet. Experts agree that children in Armenia are exposed to online threats more often, than it is reported. At the same time, not all children have access to information about online safety,” noted Mrs Weigand. “As we mark the 30th anniversary of UNICEF in Armenia this year, we hope that through this new programme and together with all partners from adolescents to the Armenian and British Governments, we will make a lasting impact for children in Armenia.”

In 2023, with financial support from the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, UNICEF analyzed Armenia’s legislation and policy framework on the protection of children in the digital environment, as well as the risks and opportunities. While there is still a need to get more in-depth data on particular risks that children face online, such as online sexual exploitation and abuse, the existing evidence already enables policymakers to explore solutions for children to use digital opportunities more equally and safely. children.


“As we mark Safe Internet Day, we are proud to support this project, helping UNICEF to address the implications of cyber-enabled crime impacting children. In the increasingly tech-dependent world, this generation of children spend more time online than previous generations. The internet has shaped children’s lives profoundly, informing the way they think, learn, behave, and purchase. While this offers a range of opportunities for children, increased use of the internet also exposes them to various online risks” said Ambassador Gallagher. “In order to have an effective system to protect children online, we need to make sure that legislative frameworks and law enforcement capacity, as well as awareness raising measures among children are part of that package. Pleased to see that our project today includes a wide variety of participants not only from the Government, but also civil society, teachers, and crucially children themselves.”

Besides joint work on the policy framework, UNICEF will also contribute to increased collaboration between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and INTERPOL given the transnational nature of organised crime against children.


“While the world, including Armenia, is consistently making steps towards ensuring a safe environment online for children, there is still a lot that needs to be tackled to develop solutions specific to children and their engagement. As technologies evolve very fast, the opportunity to benefit from the online world and the potential risks that it imposes also evolve. We need to all work together, each from our perspective, to move forward and mitigate the relevant risks. At the moment, the Ministry is in the process of restructuring its division on combating cyber-crime, and we look forward to working with all partners, as well as engage children in thematic discussions to adapt online behaviors with the strategic vision we hold for a safe digital environment for them,” informed Ms Sargsyan.

UNICEF will work with the Ministry of High-Tech Industry to not only propose and develop solutions to eliminate online harm, but also make sure that it is aligned with the existing strategies and roadmaps in the wider context of digital development and cyber security. “The present generation is adept at developing and using various technologies but with this come big risks, such as mis- or disinformation, which can have implications for the wider society. We are already working on draft legislation on cyber security and crime. Within that context, it is our job to work with members of the society who are most vulnerable to this and devise ways to ensure their safety. The younger generation is often more media literate so we also hope that they will take on the calling to support the older generations to overcome barriers,” said Mr Mantashyan.

Participants heard from CoMedia start-up, established by young people with the support of UNICEF, who presented their media literacy board game through which children and young people can learn more about common mistakes or misconceptions online. Through the programme, UNICEF will work with adolescents and young people to empower the development of youth-led solutions and support them in learning more about safety online and being the advocates of online safety with their parents and families.

Together with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, UNICEF will work to develop the capacity of social services in responding to cases of online crimes involving children and delivering responses with a victim-centred approach for child victims. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, UNICEF will also enhance the skills and knowledge of teachers to prevent online risks for children.

7-8% growth in case of favorable conditions in 2024, forecasts Armenian economist

Emil Lazarian

 16:33,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian economy could grow in between 3 to 8 percent in 2024 depending on various factors, according to economist Tatul Manaseryan. Speaking at a press conference, Manaseryan, the Director of the Alternative Research Center, said that growth would comprise 7-8% in case of favorable conditions, and 3-4% in case of unfavorable ones.

He said that a number of contradictory trends could impact the Armenian economy in 2024.

“The main locomotive could be the utilization of the country’s competitive advantages, if the real opportunities arising from the creation of the free economic zone between Iran and the EEU are used, as well as further intensification of ties between Russia and other EEU countries. Effective management of the economy, as well as the use of the professional potential of the Armenian Diaspora, are no less important. As a result of possible positive changes in these directions we can forecast business [sic] activity growth between seven and eight percent. Otherwise, the maximum growth would seemingly be around three or four percent,” he said.

He pointed out the following trends in analyzing the economy: geopolitical factors, stronger domestic demand, remittance inflow, fiscal policy, the traditional growth in services, IT, real estate, finance and tourism sector (which could be insufficient without improvement in the real sector – industry and agriculture). As to foreign factors, he pointed out the processes in the Chinese economy, the Ukraine crisis, which could impact the Armenian currency. A lot would also depend on the employment and social status of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh who are now living in Armenia. Foreign policy and foreign economic policy could also affect growth, he said.

The Eurasian Development Bank has predicted 5,7% growth for 2024 in Armenia, while the IMF predicted up to 5% growth. The Armenian government seeks to achieve at least 7% growth.

Weightlifter Varazdat Lalayan – European champion, Simon Martirosyan – vice-champion

Emil Lazarian

 19:51,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS.  The European Weightlifting Championships in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, have come to an end. On the last, the 9th day of the competition, super heavyweight weightlifters entered the fight.

Varazdat Lalayan won the gold medal in the weight category +109 kg at the European Weightlifting Championships in Sofia, lifting 455 kg (205+250).

Another representative of Armenia in this weight category Simon Martirosyan became the silver medalist with the result of 437 kg (190+247).

Armenian Ambassador to Bulgaria Armen Yedigaryan took part in the award ceremony of the heavyweight category.

Armenia’s GDP grew by 8.7%

Emil Lazarian

 20:57,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia's gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices in 2023 amounted to 9 trillion 502 billion 778.6 million Armenian drams, compared to 8 trillion 501 billion 436  million drams for the same period last year, the Government of Armenia said.

Compared to the previous year, the GDP increased by 8.7%.

It is noted that in 2023, the GDP per capita in Armenia was 3 million 205 thousand 849 drams, while this indicator was 2 million 863 thousand 304 drams last year.

Artsakh Leaders Mark Liberation Movement Anniversary, Discuss ‘Mass Repatriation’

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

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

Artsakh leaders visit Yerablur National Cemetery on Feb. 20


February 20 marks the anniversary of the beginning of Artsakh’s National Liberation Movement. To mark the occasion, President Samvel Shahramanyan and other exiled leaders of Artsakh visited the Yerablur National Cemetery Tuesday.

The Artsakh Parliament held a special session at the Artsakh representative office in Yerevan, with an agenda of marking the anniversary of the Liberation Movement and discussing issues related to the mass repatriation of the displaced Artsakh Armenians.

Gagik Baghunts, the acting Speaker of the Artsakh Parliament, told Azatutyun.am after the session that the Artsakh leadership is taking “concrete steps” for the eventual repatriation of Artsakh Armenians.

“Our struggle will continue,” Baghunts told Azatutyun.

“The Armenians of Artsakh will not accept the idea that we have closed the page of Artsakh, and the desire to return will always stay with us. I hope that we will have significant success in that direction already in the not-so-distant future,” he added.

“We are taking concrete steps, we will continue to do everything possible so that the Artsakh Armenians return to the homeland, our historical homeland, and I hope that despite my rather old age, I will return, not my grandchildren,” Baghunts said without specifying the steps, only to say that they are ready for  “cooperation with world powers” and even “contacts with the Azerbaijani authorities.”

The Deputy Speaker of the Artsakh Parliament, Vahram Balayan, echoed the sentiments of his colleague when he told reporters on Tuesday that the Artsakh chapter of history is not yet closed.

“Today we are in a disillusioned and broken state, but there is a need to use the available opportunities and strengthen Armenia. And in the context of all this, try to continue our further struggle, liberate a part of our historical homeland,” Balayan told reporters.

He also emphasized that the Artsakh issue had no correlation with the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, saying the the self-determination of the people of Artsakh, and the struggle that began in 1988, did not seek to lay claim on territory, but rather stemmed from the special status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast during the Soviet Period.

Balayan said that the NKAO had the same status as Azerbaijan SSR did under the Soviet Union, with its own constitution and Armenian as its state language.

“Due to many factors, we could not keep, protect what we had,” said Badalyan about the current fate of Artsakh.

“In general, history is not only a lesson, but also a punishment for all those who do not take the lessons of history into account. Unfortunately, we did not take into account the lessons we learned, we could not preserve our statehood,” he added.

He called the forced exodus of Armenians from Artsakh in September, following Azerbaijan’s large-scale attack, a genocide.

“In reality, it [the attack] was a genocidal act against our people. This is an obvious fact that we must present to the world, and demonstrate that our people have the right to full return [to Artsakh], and must fight to exercise that right,” said Balayan.

“We still have a ways to go. It seems to me that we should not be deprived of existing opportunities, we should continue to work from the viewpoint of ensuring our full return,” added the deputy speaker.

Why I’m Voting “Uncommitted” in Michigan’s Democratic Primary

Emil Lazarian
 Dzovinar Hatsakordzian Op-Eds 0

Joe Biden made his decisions.

Now I’m making mine.

I will be voting “uncommitted” in Michigan’s February 27 Democratic presidential primary, because I simply cannot vote for the man who armed Azerbaijan’s genocide of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenians. My ballot will represent my protest against his complicity in this crime and his utter abandonment of Armenians – in Artsakh, across Armenia and around the world. His actions run counter to his own campaign statements and, more importantly, to our basic values as a nation – our shared humanity. 

I will be casting my “uncommitted” vote along with my fellow Armenians and countless others who share in our outrage over Biden’s genocidal policies. Together, we will send a message that crimes come with costs, and enabling ethnic cleansing is not “business-as-usual.” To cast a vote for Biden is to endorse his actions. To support him as the lesser of two evils is to accept evil. I will not do that.

I am fortunate to live in the Wolverine State, a must-win political battleground in the 2024 presidential contest. If our votes tip the scale against Biden’s re-election, it will send a powerful message that America stands against genocide, that our people will not allow our government to tolerate such crimes. Not in our name.

Biden’s genocidal record is as reckless as it is irresponsible:

– Biden materially armed and morally emboldened Azerbaijan’s genocide of Artsakh.

– Biden has refused to condemn Azerbaijan’s crimes. He conducts business-as-usual with its genocidal government, and he refuses to enforce sanctions against its leaders.

– Biden sent zero aid to Artsakh prior to Azerbaijan’s blockade and has sent almost no aid to the refugees created by Azerbaijan’s aggression.

– Biden blocked United Nations initiatives to condemn Azerbaijan and has, post-genocide, failed to lead, introduce or even support U.N. resolutions to enable the safe return of Armenians to Artsakh under an international mandate. 

– Biden has opposed each and every congressional measure aimed at holding Azerbaijan accountable, supporting Artsakh refugees or securing the release of Armenian POWs.

– Add to this that Biden just approved the sale of F-16s to Turkey, even though Turkey illegally deployed these advanced fighters to Azerbaijan during its 2020 attack.

For all these reasons, and many others, I invite my fellow Michiganders to join me in voting “uncommitted” on February 27.

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Dzovinar Hatsakordzian (Hamakorzian) is a national board member of the Armenian National Committee of America and a regular contributor to the Armenian Weekly


Armenian community of Jerusalem initiates legal action to protect the historic Cows’ Garden

Emil Lazarian
 Guest Contributor Diaspora 0

JERUSALEM—On February 18, the Armenian community of the historic Armenian Quarter officially filed a lawsuit to invalidate the lease between the Armenian Patriarchate and Xana Capital.

The community’s legal action asserts that the property is held in trust specifically for the benefit of the Armenian community pursuant to a waqf trust established more than 400 years ago. Under the waqf trust, which is legally enforceable, the property cannot be leased or sold by the Patriarchate if the transaction does not inure to the direct benefit of the Armenian community and if the transaction is not consented to by the Armenian community. Here, the transaction has neither been consented to by the Armenian community nor does it inure to the benefit of the Armenian community.

The Armenian community’s position aligns squarely with the stance of the Saint James Brotherhood. In 2021, 17 members of the Brotherhood, a majority of the members of the supreme body of the Patriarchate, issued a statement publicly opposing the deal and declaring that the Patriarch lacked the requisite authority and conditions to execute the purported agreement. As such, the Armenian community’s legal case underlines the Patriarchate’s lack of authority to enter into this specific deal.

The community’s lawsuit gives necessary legal voice and crucial legal strength to the objective of canceling the purported agreement and protecting the land – a goal the Armenian community, the Armenian Patriarchate and the global Armenian diaspora share. The Armenian community has specific rights that must be raised and protected by the Armenian community itself. This land holds immense historical and cultural significance, symbolizing the community’s and the Patriarchate’s enduring presence in the region, and the community is committed to preserving the integrity of the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem and protecting itself from the existential threat posed by this purported deal with Xana Capital.

Since the community learned of the illegal lease, community members had weekly demonstrations to vocalize their stance against the deal. The community has remained on the ground for over 100 days, camping in tents 24/7 to defend against physical threats and attacks on the land. The community understands that its very survival hinges on protecting this land. It now presses forward to enforce its historic rights on the land itself and to confirm the invalidity of the lease in the District Court of Jerusalem. Importantly, the community’s lawsuit bolsters the Patriarchate’s existing lawsuit with crucial arguments that are within the community’s rights in order to halt this attack on the community’s historic presence, heritage and existence in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The Armenian community of Jerusalem stands as one united voice. It stands together for the principle that only justice will suffice. It stands firmly on the belief that the lack of transparency and collaboration with the community is what has brought the Armenian Quarter to this existential moment – and that it is enough. The community will fight until the end to ensure that the Armenian Quarter remains untouched, that it remains Armenian and that it remains for the benefit of the Armenian people. These are the very principles that have united the global Armenian world – and our allies who understand the value of that unique mosaic that is the Old City of Jerusalem – to save the Armenian Quarter.

The community has been committed to carrying out this powerfully unifying mandate on the ground, and it is now establishing its legal rights in the courts. Hundreds of community members have signed in support of the legal fight to protect their historic rights and to protect this crucial property that has served the Armenian community for generations over the centuries, from a place for sustenance and social life to a refuge to house Armenian Genocide survivors, to providing access to the people to their schools, churches and community institutions. The Armenian community will stand in defense of its rights on the ground and in the courts.

The community insists that the parties to the lawsuit, and those under their direction, refrain from any and all retaliatory measures against community members. To this end, the people ask the international community to remain vigilant, to stand with the Armenian community against any such threats and to continue to voice their support for the Armenian community in its unwavering commitment to protect the Cows’ Garden, to protect the rights of the Armenian community and to protect the very future of the Armenian people in Jerusalem.




Armenpress: Thousands of relics found in 6,000-year-old tomb in Armenian village

Emil Lazarian

 09:47,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Archaeologists have uncovered over 30,000 relics from a 6,000-year-old tomb in Yeghegis, Armenia. The tomb was discovered during excavations which began in 2020.

Professor Levon Yepiskoposyan, the Head of the Evolutionary Genomics Laboratory at the Institute of Molecular Biology, told Armenpress that the 6,000-year-old relics reflect the transitional period when hunter-gatherers shifted to agriculture.

The discovered items include remains of both domesticated and wild animals, with the latter evidencing that humans were engaged in hunting at that time, according to junior researcher Satenik Mkrtchyan.

The Yeghegis 1 archeological site has drawn much interest among international expedition teams and experts, which once again proves that ‘Armenia has always been an interesting location on the world’s archaeological map’, Professor Yepiskoposyan said.

“Armenia’s territory is situated is such a location which, according to experts, has always been the crossroads of migration of people and animals during all periods of time,” the professor added.

The excavations will continue in July 2024.