Author: Garo Vardanian

How taking one’s own life is a solution? – stories and stats from Armenia

Garo Vardanian
  • Sona Martirosyan
  • Yerevan

Suicide in Armenia

Around 900,000 people worldwide commit suicide each year. According to statistics, the number of suicides in Armenia has increased in recent years, especially after the 2020 war; in the last decade the number of suicides per year ranged from 150 to 215.

  • More tenderness than in youth: Stories of couples who have been together for half a century
  • Demand for surrogacy on the rise in Armenia
  • “Cancer can be beaten”: personal stories from Armenia

In a small bedroom of the Karapetyans’ house, there is much to remind one of happiness. A large photo of newlyweds hangs on the wall, the bed is carefully made, Lilith’s perfume and a small jewelry box are on the dressing table. There is not a speck of dust in the room; mother-in-law cleans up every day. Nothing has changed after the deaths of Armen and Lilith.

A story reminiscent of Shakespearean tragedy is now a permanent feature of the village of Artsvanist in the Gegharkunik region.

“It happened because of love.” This is how the suicide of 23-year-old Lilith is explained in the village. Her husband, Armen, died in September 2022 during the war in Karabakh. It hadn’t been a year since they were married.

The couple dreamed of children. In the village the young couple’s relationship was considered an example for everyone. Lilith was a teacher, Armen was a soldier. They were happy, purposeful young people.

“Both grew up before our eyes, both from our village, from intelligent families. Everyone at school loved Lilith. After the death of Armen, of course, she changed a lot. Always sad. On the day of the funeral, Lilith tried to commit suicide by overdosing, but they saved her. She told her relatives: I will follow Armen anyway. And that’s just what she did” a neighbor says.

After the death of Armen, Lilith continued to live with her husband’s parents, but often visited her own. On November 12, 2022, she stayed overnight with them. In the morning her parents found Lilith in the bathroom; she had hanged herself.

A JAMNews deep dive into the Armenian Apostolic Church and its influence on Armenian society

The Prosecutor General’s Office conducted a study, which found that “a number of suicides and suicide attempts recorded in the recent period are directly related to the psychological problems caused by the 2020 war.”

Not only those who saw war experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as insomnia and hallucinations. Members of their families – wives, children, parents – are also at risk for various reasons associated with the loss of their fathers, husbands and brothers.

Considering all factors, the Prosecutor General’s Office turned to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs with a proposal

  • “discuss the current situation with professional circles involved in solving psychological problems,
  • provide more effective psychological and psychiatric assistance to combatants and their families,
  • expand the range of mental health services provided.”

Psychiatrist and lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry of the State Medical University Aram Mamikonyan says:

“There is an interesting feature associated with wars. During wartime, there is a sharp drop in the number of suicides in all countries of the world, because during wartime the idea of social cohesion arises.

This phenomenon of social cooperation creates harmony, there are fewer isolated people, society becomes more open, because everyone is trying to overcome one problem. We see a completely different picture with the end of wars, especially in countries that have suffered defeat. Loss becomes a very strong trigger for an increase in the number of suicides. Approximately the same picture is observed during revolutions.

Contrary to alleged reforms, murder and suicide are rife within the Armenian armed forces, along with combat deaths. JAMNews digs into the numbers.

According to statistics, unemployed men and pensioners most often commit suicide in Armenia. Vulnerable groups are also

  • teenagers,
  • middle aged men,
  • aged people,
  • those held in closed institutions such as prisons,
  • cultural minorities, including members of the LGBT community.

The main cause of suicide in adolescence is an existential crisis that is not controlled by professionals, family or environment, and adolescents are left alone with problems they do not understand. The second most common cause is drug use, which has risen in recent years.

In the case of the elderly, the age crisis also becomes the cause of suicide, when, after retirement, people lose a comfortable communication environment, a well-functioning life schedule, the opportunity to be financially independent and a sense of usefulness.

70% of suicides in Armenia are committed by men, whereas women are more likely to attempt suicide.

Poverty in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia – an investigation into how authorities and the people disagree about assessing its extent

“In psychiatry suicide is viewed as a pathology. And it doesn’t matter whether the person who committed suicide or attempted suicide was previously diagnosed with mental problems or not,” psychiatrist Aram Mamikonyan says.

The American Psychological Association has included this phenomenon in the classification of diseases as suicidal conduct disorder.

“This pathology is self-directed aggressive behavior in which a person has a clear goal of committing suicide. At the same time, it is immaterial whether its action will end with death or not. A person can be saved, an attempt can be prevented, or they may simply not be able to carry out their plan. The end goal is essential,” the psychiatrist explains.

Mamikonyan says that in the case of suicide, we often deal with “comorbidity”, when one disease is due to the presence of another or makes the body more vulnerable to a second disease. In the case of suicides, depressive spectrum disorders are the most common primary illness. That is, the suicide rate among people with depression is much higher.

“In fact, the process goes in stages. First, a person has passive suicidal thoughts: a feeling of meaninglessness, emptiness, lack of motivation, loss of the meaning of life. The second stage is active suicidal thoughts, when there is not only this feeling, desire, but also a clear plan is drawn up.

The third stage, the most dangerous, is called the trap stage, when suicide becomes the only and best way out for a person. The trap is that for a person at this stage, death becomes the light at the end of the tunnel,” the doctor says.

Aram Mamikonyan says there is a common stereotype about suicide that after several failed attempts, they will stop. According to Mamikonyan in fact, among those who have committed suicide, the number of those who have made one or more unsuccessful attempts in the past predominates.

“We often confuse self-harm with suicidal behavior. Sometimes patients say that they just wanted to see blood at that moment, relax, or harm themselves and calm down, but their ultimate goal is not death. In this case, yes, there are usually no retries.

But in the case of suicide, the likelihood that someone will repeat their step is very high. So people who have attempted suicide are immediately at risk. It is very important that psychologists and psychiatrists are involved in the treatment of these people.”

According to Mamikonyan, at the heart of suicide is always a bitter sense of loss. This is not only about relationships, but also, for example, loss of work, a familiar environment, and so on.

In any case, according to the doctor, it is possible to prevent suicide.

That is why the National Suicide Prevention Plan is being developed in Armenia. The preventative measures included therein have already proved effective.

https://jam-news.net/suicide-in-armenia/

Asbarez: ARS-WUSA Raises Over $600,000 During Gala with 550 Guests

Garo Vardanian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories
From l to r: ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian, Hagop Koujakian, Siroun Bedirian, Terenik Koujakian, Arda Yemenidjian
ARS Chairperson Vicky Marshlian honors benefactors Jack and Zarig Youredjian

GLENDALE— More than $600,000 was raised during the ARS Gala 2023 held on March 12 at Taglyan Compex in Los Angeles, marking the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA. In a show of support for the many local and international needs that the ARS is spearheading throughout Artsakh, Armenia, Javakhk, Lebanon, and earthquake-ravaged Syria, 550 guests were in attendance, including elected officials, community leaders, representatives of sister and local organizations, ARS members, and generous supporters.

The program began with Mistress of Ceremonies Tatevik Ekezian and Vruir Tadevosian inviting tenor Raffi Kerbabian to sing the America, Armenian and ARS anthems, which was followed by the invocation by Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan. The Prelate blessed the ARS leadership and chapters, as well as the benefactors, for upholding the unique character and mission of the ARS with unparalleled local and international service delivery to Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and the Diaspora.

ARS Regional Executive with Sen. Anthony Portantino ARS Chair Vicky Marashlian with Assemblymember Laura Friedman

The program continued with the observance of a moment of silence for the fallen heroes who defended the homeland and the victims of the earthquake in Syria.

Other guests included, Archbishop Barkev Martirosyan (former Prelate of Artsakh), Very Rev. Armenag Bedrossian representing Bishop Mikael Mouradian of the Armenian Catholic Church; ARS Central Executive Board Chairperson Dr. Nyree Derderian and board members Maral Matossian and Arousyak Melkonian; Central Executive Council member of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia Rostom Aintablian; Western Prelacy Executive Council member Dzovig Zetlian.

ARS Central and Regional executive members with Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan

Elected officials, who attended the gala, included California State Senator Anthony Portantino; California State Assemblymember Laura Friedman; Anna Mouradian, Chief Deputy of the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger; City of Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian and Councilmember Elen Asatryan; City of Burbank Councilmember Zizette Mullins; and Mary Hovaguimian, representative of the Office of Congressman Adam Schiff.

ARS of Western USA Regional Executive Chairperson, Vicky Marashlian, delivered the board’s message, thanking supporters and dedicated volunteers for enabling the ARS to meet the challenges of individuals and communities in need in Armenia, Artsakh, and Diasporan communities worldwide, including Lebanon and Syria — a sad reminder to the similar circumstances that the ARS encountered when it was founded over a century ago.

ARS Regional Executive Board and Gala Organizing Committee Members

She extended appreciation to Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Zarig Youredjian, who have become the Banquet Sponsors for two consecutive years. She also thanked the Yemenidjian and Koujakian families, as well as the ARS Las Vegas Shoushi Chapter Verjine Koujakian Saturday School, for their grand contribution in memory of their beloved mother and school’s founder Ungh. Verjine Koujakian. Marashlian stated that “your mother’s legacy remains in our hearts and will make a monumental impact on the lives of so many in our young and future generation. The support we collectively provide inspires hope for a better tomorrow for generations to come. We will continue to advance our mission in serving the educational, humanitarian, cultural, health and welfare needs for the betterment of our society while standing true to our motto: With the People, for the People.”

Marashlian acknowledge the efforts of the event organizing committee, headed by Annie Kechichian, as well as the assistance from the ARS regional office General Manager, Jasik Jarahian, and Director of Operations of the ARS Social Services, Talar Aintablian.

The candle lighting ceremony was a chance to remember those who came before and to reaffirm our commitment to continue their legacy. A video presentation about the history and present programs of the ARS of Western USA, as well as one dedicated to the memory of Ungerouhi Verjine Koujakian were shown.

More than 600 community members attend the ARS Gala

Gala banquet sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Zarig Youredjian were honored with a plaque presented by Vicky Marashlian for their continued support. This year, the couple donated $50,000 to the ARS. Mr. Youredjian, whose wife is a member of the “Gars” chapter, upon receiving the plaque, thanked all the ARS chapters for the amazing work that they do for the community.

Gala benefactors, the Yemenidjian and Koujakian families, donated $250,000 in memory of Verjine Koujakian, who was an ARS member and a steadfast supporter of Armenian education. During the event, a surprise announcement was made that Alex and Arda Yemenidjian’s son, Mr. & Mrs. Armen and Anoush Yemenidjian, made a $25,000 donation in their grandmother’s memory.

Marashlian handed a plaque in memory of Ungerouhi Verjine Koujakian to Arda Yemenidjian, who passed it on to the ARS Las Vegas “Shoushi” Chapter Executive Chairperson Siroun Bedirian. Bedirian expressed her appreciation to the Regional Executive and the Koujakian family, her fellow-members’ delight that the seeds of education that Ungh. Verjine Koujakian planted 30 years ago in the desert of Las Vegas continues to yield new generations, who ensure that the Armenian language and culture prosper.

On behalf of the Koujakian and Yemenidjian families, Arda Yemenidjian expressed her gratitude to the ARS for the beautiful tribute honoring their mother’s legacy. She recalled that her mother “was ahead of her time, always educating herself, and always making sure we prepare and educate the next generation. ARS was very close to her heart. With her devotion to the ARS cause, our mother stood on the shoulders of thousands of ARS volunteers around the world…Those volunteers are our real heroes of this humanitarian triumph that is the ARS and we are very proud of our mother for having played a small role in the selfless charitable mission of the ARS.”

Marashlian then made an announcement that a second anonymous donation of $25,000 was made, raising the total amount of donations to $600,000.

The entertainment program continued with performers such as 9-year-old Darren Chilingirian, Andre and Ani Ohanyan, Sofi Mkheyan, Aida Sargsyan, and Gevorg Sirekanyan.

As the program ended, guests who had participated in the silent auction with many donated items picked up their winnings.

The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, split from the ARS of North America to become a separate region in 1984 and with regional headquarters in Glendale, Calif., has 23 chapters with 1,100 members in four western states. The ARS operates a Social Services Division and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center, 15 one-day schools, a day-care, and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief efforts.

Asbarez: Varant and Hoori Melkonian Become Lead Benefactors of New Crescenta Valley Armenian Church

Garo Vardanian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

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

Varant and Hoori Melkonian, accompanied by Angel Melkonian visited Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan


The Couple also donates $50,000 for Syrian-Armenian relief

Long-time activists, advocates, community leaders and philanthropists Mr. & Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian are the lead benefactors of the new Crescenta Valley Armenian Church, the plans for which were announced last week by the Western Prelacy.

The couple, accompanied with Varant Melkonian’s mother, Angel, visited the Prelacy on Tuesday to ask the Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan for the honor of becoming the main benefactors of the new church.

In welcoming his guests, Prelate Donoyan praised them and commended the Melkonians for this generous contribution—the latest of a number of donations they already have made in the Western United States.

“Varant and Hoori Melkonian are not only a permanent presence in our community through their hard work and support, they are also always ready to ensure that community projects are successful. They bring their unwavering contribution to projects that aim to elevate our nation, homeland and the Western Prelacy through their generosity,” the Prelate said of the couple who have been bestowed with the “Cilician Prince” media by the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia.

During their visit to the Prelacy, the Melkonians welcomed the latest achievements of the Western Prelacy and congratulated the Prelate, reaffirming their commitment to always support the Prelacy’s activities.

Prelate Donoyan blessed his guests and the entire Melkonian family, wishing them health, happiness and prosperity.

During their visit on Tuesday, the Prelate briefed the Melkonians about the current challenges facing the Armenian community of Syria following the devastating February 6 earthquake

Varant and Hoori Melkonian announced a donation of $50,000 to the Syrian-Armenian community, which will be tranfered through the Western Prelacy to the Cilician Catholicosate.

U.S. reiterates bilateral and trilateral support to Armenia and Azerbaijan in peace process

Garo Vardanian

Save

Share

 10:19,

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. There’s always been urgency to achieve peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the United States State Department said on March 9, describing the situation as “delicate”.

“There’s always been urgency with this,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a press briefing. “And there’s been urgency because this is a delicate situation.”

Price was asked to comment on the U.S. intelligence report which predicts tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the absence of a peace treaty and how much urgency the report adds on in terms of the US efforts to bring about peace.

“It’s a situation that is far too prone to violence, as we’ve seen in recent days in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and it is a longstanding conflict that the United States would like to do everything we can to support its resolution. We’re going to continue to do that by working bilaterally with these countries, trilaterally with Armenia and Azerbaijan, supporting their own efforts at dialogue and diplomacy, but also through all appropriate mechanisms to help these countries themselves conduct the diplomacy and reach the agreements that we hope that they will be able to make,” Price added.

Asbarez: NAASR to Host Talk on New English Translation of Soghomon Tehlirian’s Memoir

Garo Vardanian
by Contributor

 

 March 6, 2023

 

in Arts & Culture, Books, Community, Latest, News, Top Stories


Book cover of the English translation of Soghomon Tehlirian’s memoir, Remembrances: The Assassination of Talaat Pasha”

The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research will host an online program marking the publication of the first English translation of Soghomon Tehlirian’s memoir, “Remembrances: The Assassination of Talaat Pasha” (Gomidas Institute, 2022), on Wednesday, March 15, at 10 a.m. PST. This program is co-sponsored by NAASR, the Armenian Film Foundation, and the Ararat-Eskijian Museum.

The webinar will be accessible live on Zoom (registration required) and on NAASR’s YouTube page.

Dr. Carla Garapedian, who wrote the preface to this new edition, will provide a general introduction and Bedo Demirdjian, translator of the memoir, will talk about the challenges of working with this manuscript.

Marking the 102nd anniversary of the shooting of Talaat Pasha in Berlin, this program will focus on the process and the complexities of translating Tehlirian’s memoir, originally published in Armenian in Cairo in 1953 as “Soghomon Tehlirean: Verhishumner,” and its repercussions.  The assassination and Tehlirian’s trial had far-reaching consequences, including a direct impact on Raphael Lemkin, who coined the word “genocide” and worked for the adoption of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1948.

Bedo Demirdjian was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He is a graduate of Melkonian Educational Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus, and studied Economics and European Union Integration at the University of Peireaus in Greece. He has worked as a journalist, as Communications and Public Relations Director at the ANC Europe, and as the office coordinator of the Artsakh Republic permanent representative to the Middle East. In 2020 Bedo settled in Armenia, in the province of Lori, where he headed the COAF SMART Center. He is currently in Yerevan promoting “Remembrances.” 

For more information contact NAASR at [email protected].

Armenian MP: Azerbaijan’s plans, which don’t exclude use of force, will remain unchanged

Garo Vardanian
Panorama
Armenia – Feb 28 2023

Azerbaijan continues doing everything it can to extort the maximum concessions from Armenia and Artsakh, opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan claims.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Abrahamyan, the secretary of the Pativ Unem faction, underscored the international efforts to suppress Azerbaijan's actions proved inefficient during the 2020 war in Artsakh as well as the three subsequent Azerbaijani attacks against Armenia’s sovereign territory.

"Thus, regardless of what the Armenian and Artsakh authorities say, Azerbaijan's intentions, which do not rule out the resolution of its problems through the use of force, will remain unchanged," the deputy stated.

Abrahamyan also noted that the Armenian authorities had already unveiled their main approaches to the Artsakh issue.

"The publicly expressed approaches are enough to suggest that the processes focus on concessions regarding the Artsakh people’s right to self-determination and a settlement in line with the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” the MP charged.

Armenian President awards Mkhitar Gosh medal to Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister

Garo Vardanian

Save

Share

 15:35,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn was awarded the Mkhitar Gosh medal by Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan for his significant contributions in strengthening the friendly ties between Armenia and Luxembourg and defending universal values.

FM Asselborn was awarded today, during his meeting with President Khachaturyan in Yerevan, Khachaturyan's Office said in a press release. 

“The relations of our countries are on a very high level and are dynamically developing, as a result of which we have a friendly country in the European Union which is with us in these difficult conditions, which appreciates our country’s policy, our adopted values based on democratic principles, where the development of democratic institutions is a priority. We don’t imagine our future in any other way. 30 years ago, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when Armenia declared independence, we took this direction at once. After some deviations, we are now clearly headed on that path. I am sure that our cooperation will be to the benefit of the development of these democratic institutions in Armenia as well,” the Armenian President said.

FM Asselborn said he visited Armenia back in 2018 as well. “As a result of my meetings during this visit with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and representatives of the public sector I can say that the changes which have been done over these years are noticeable,” he said.

Steps and programs aimed at fostering cooperation both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU were discussed.

Regional issues were also discussed, such as the urgent need to unblock the humanitarian Lachin corridor and the importance of a peaceful and negotiated solution to existing conflicts.

IOM Armenia Mission Strategy (2022–2025)

Garo Vardanian
Feb 24 2023
 

Source

  • IOM

 

 

Posted

23 Feb 2023 

 

Originally published

9 Sep 2022 

 

Origin

View original

1.1. ABOUT IOM

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN’s leading agency on migration and the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, working closely with its key stakeholders – migrants and Member States – to promote humane, safe, and orderly migration. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants from an integral and holistic perspective, including links to development, in order to maximize the benefits and opportunities of migration and reduce its challenges. Established in 1951, IOM now has more than 170 Member States, offices in over 400 field locations and more than 14,000 staff – 90 percent of IOM’s staff being deployed in the field. In the South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, IOM has 19 country offices. In Armenia, IOM has a main office and two sub-offices in Yerevan, and 18 staff.

As recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, human mobility is indivisible from sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and the commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind – will not be achieved without due consideration of migration. Additionally, the Global Compact for Migration is grounded in the 2030 Agenda and promotes the principles of having a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to address this intrinsic link. This Strategy will support the Member States to achieve this, ultimately leveraging the potential of migration through a whole-of-government approach to achieve sustainable development outcomes for all. It is a direct contribution to the Decade of Action to fast-track progress for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. It brings greater coherence and development impact to IOM’s activities and allows for a joined-up approach to the way the Organization designs and delivers its operations, as called for in IOM’s Strategic Vision.

IOM’s Strategic Vision, presented to IOM Member States in 2019, spans the period of 2019 to 2023. The Vision articulates how IOM plans to meet its new and emerging responsibilities, including IOM’s mandated role as Network Coordinator. It sets out the ‘direction of travel’ for IOM, is forward looking and encourages ‘joined up thinking’. This Strategy is aligned with the Vision, its corresponding Regional Strategy for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the IOM Strategic Results Framework, which are anchored in the overall framework of the 2030 Agenda and the Global Compact for Migration.

1.2. IOM IN ARMENIA

IOM Armenia, one of the first UN offices in Armenia, opened in 1993, when the Republic of Armenia (RA) became an IOM Member State. IOM activities in the country are designed and implemented in line with the key documents signed with the Government of Armenia (GoA), including the Cooperation Agreement on Privileges and Immunities in 1994 and the Memorandum of Understanding in 2001 and the overall UN-Armenia framework agreements.

An advocate of strong partnerships with key stakeholders in migration nationally and internationally, IOM Armenia enjoys an excellent reputation and the trust of the Government of Armenia and partners. Since 2021, IOM has assumed the role of the Coordinator and Secretariat of the UN Network on Migration in the Republic of Armenia.

For three decades, IOM Armenia has been a key contributor to the reforms of migration policies and management in Armenia through policy advice; generation of quality evidence; extensive capacity building; technical assistance; awareness raising, and importantly, assistance to various groups of migrants.

With well-established, reliable operations and programming in Armenia, and experienced and professional staff, IOM Armenia is a competitive, result-oriented organization, committed to results-based management and value for money principles for the projects and programmes it manages. It has a sound institutional setup, with policies on data protection, ethics, rights-based approach, gender-sensitivity, values, monitoring and learning systems in place.

IOM Armenia’s programming addresses a large scope of migration issues, in line with Armenia’s international, regional, and bilateral agreements, and in support of Armenia’s Government Program, relevant strategies, concepts and national action plans. IOM Armenia’s migration management and humanitarian programmes take a multi-faceted approach to migration, in line with the Government of Armenia priorities in labour migration and human development, migration and social cohesion, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, integrated border management and counter-trafficking, towards securing sustainable and human-centred solutions. IOM Armenia is well positioned to mobilize the resources of the IOM globally to ensure rapid response to emerging country needs, including emergency response and management of compound crisis situations in Armenia.

With excellent knowledge of migration and development in Armenia, expertise in data collection and analysis, including facilitated access to a variety of data sources on migration management, as well as strong technical capacity, IOM Armenia provides strategic direction, technical advice and support to the GoA in the areas of policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks of comprehensive, human rights-based and effective migration management, prevention of irregular migration, labour migration and pre-departure support, negotiations of bilateral labour agreements (BLAs), assisted voluntary return and reintegration, readmission management, humanitarian border management, counter-trafficking response, migration data and management information systems, as well as COVID-19 vulnerabilities related to migration. It serves as a knowledge hub in the sector for the government, development partners, civil society and private sector.

IOM Armenia has assisted the GoA in developing and reforming its migration governance system through providing assistance to stakeholders for enhancing the relevant policy and regulatory frameworks. Specifically, IOM Armenia assisted the Government of Armenia in its border management reform by supporting expansion of the Border Management Information System to all border crossing points of the Republic of Armenia, and improvement of the security standards in Zvartnots International Airport. IOM Armenia supported the reforms in migration management, including introduction of the system of electronic passports and biometric identification cards. Recently, it supported the GoA in developing the Conceptual Framework of Migration Management. IOM provided technical assistance to the Government of Armenia in elaboration of policy and legislative frameworks to regulate labour migration, including amendments to the Law on Foreigners, Administrative Offences Code, and Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia. As a result of IOM Armenia’s advocacy, Armenia became a signatory to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families in 2013. IOM Armenia has consistently supported the Government of Armenia in its efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking by supporting the development of the National Plans of Action to Combat Human Trafficking; and lobbying for the ratification of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols; and criminalization of human trafficking.

IOM Armenia has made significant contributions to the development of the institutional framework for migration governance in Armenia by developing the Work Permit Issuance System in Armenia in line with the best international standards and practices; establishing the Migration Resource Centre, which provides free consultations to potential migrants and informs returnees about the existing reintegration programmes; and facilitating the connection of the central units at the Police Headquarters and Yerevan Zvartnots Airport to the Interpol I-24/7 telecommunication database system. IOM Armenia developed knowledge products and practical toolkits to raise awareness of migration issues, challenges and support mechanisms in the country, such as the counter trafficking course, currently included in the middle and high school, as well as a university curriculum; and a toolkit for processing readmission cases in Armenia. In collaboration with UNFPA Armenia, IOM supported the Government of Armenia and the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (Armstat) in development of the SDG National Reporting Platform.

IOM Armenia has played a key role in ensuring Armenia’s international presence and cooperation in migration. It supported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the negotiations of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), which Armenia subsequently voted in favour of in 2018, and has since submitted two Voluntary National Progress Reviews on Implementation of GCM in 2018 and 2021. To enable a safe environment for circular migration of Armenians, IOM facilitated negotiations for bilateral labour agreements between Armenia and destination countries. In 2011-2013 IOM facilitated policy seminars on migration between Armenia and the EU, furthering the dialogue between Armenia and the EU in the context of the EU-Armenia Mobility Partnership, Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements.

https://reliefweb.int/report/armenia/iom-armenia-mission-strategy-2022-2025

EuroNest calls on Azerbaijan to release Armenian POWs, solve outstanding humanitarian issues in NK

Garo Vardanian

Save

Share

 11:00,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. A resolution related to Nagorno Karabakh and the Armenian prisoners of war was adopted at the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly, Arman Yeghoyan, the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on European Integration said on social media.

MP Yeghoyan said that the document calls for an urgent and complete resolution of outstanding humanitarian issues, such as the release of all Armenian detainees, determining the fate of the missing persons and victims of forced disappearances and the launch of a UNESCO mission for preserving the cultural heritage in the region. The resolution welcomes the EU support for the humanitarian de-mining efforts and emphasizes that the rights and security issues of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh must be solved, ensuring lasting peace in the region.

MP Yeghoyan also posted a video of his speech during the debates.

[see video]

‘We have no right to despair’, Serzh Sargsyan says on Artsakh Revival Day

Garo Vardanian
Panorama
Armenia – Feb 20 2023

Armenia’s third President Serzh Sargsyan issued a message on Artsakh Revival Day and the 35th anniversary of the Karabakh movement marked on February 20. His full message is below.

"Dear Compatriots,

The Karabakh movement became the beginning of Artsakh’s revival and prevented the extinction of a part of the Armenian nation which has been living in its cradle for ages. Thirty-five years ago by the demand of the Armenian population of the Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous region (NKAO) the issue of removing the region from the jurisdiction of the Azerbaijani Soviet Republic and placing it under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Soviet Republic was put on the agenda. The demand of the Armenians of Artsakh was legal and justified. On February 20 of 1988, the delegates of a special session of the 20th Convention of the NKAO Soviet Council adopted a decision which sealed the will of the people of Artsakh to fulfill their right of self-determination. It was a momentous event in the history of the Armenian people and its historical and political significance is undeniable.

Many sons of our nation in Artsakh, Mother Armenia, and Spyurq, who viewed the defense of Fatherland as their greatest mission, united to achieve the national goal and were victorious in their endeavor.  The Karabakh movement turned into a national awakening and one of the pivotal episodes of our history.

The Karabakh movement and the 1994 glorious victory of our national liberation struggle manifested first and foremost the dignity of the Armenian people and our resolve to defend our right to live on our own land free, independent, and secure.

For me and many of my friends those were the most difficult, most demanding but also the most gratifying years of our lives. We knew what we were fighting for, what for were organizing the defense of Artsakh, what for we were sacrificing our young years, what for our families and compatriots were going through hardship. We witnessed the Armenophobic attitude of the Azeri leaders, discrimination against Armenians, we had before our eyes the fate of another Armenian region – Nakhichevan, which was totally cleansed of its Armenian population, and were determined to prevent the same happening to Artsakh.

To a peaceful and legitimate demand of our people Azerbaijan responded with ethnic cleansing in Sumgait, Baku, other towns with a dense Armenian population as well as in some areas of Northern Artsakh. Armenians were subjected to the most devious barbarities, massacres, and expulsions. The same fate awaited the Armenians of Artsakh, but we won in the war imposed on us.

The aggressor – Azerbaijan, in war, which it unleashed against us, received a heavy blow of the united Armenian fist, and begged for a ceasefire.

Glory to all the brave men who created that victory! We bow our heads to the memory of all our heroes who gave their lives for Fatherland.

In 1991, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh declared independence and started the process of state-building. Since then it has been developing as a modern and democratic state.

Unfortunately, Azerbaijan did not come to terms with the heavy defeat it suffered in 1994, or that in 2016 April Four-Day War. It used the opportunity and took advantage of the state ruining policies of the anti-national forces, which usurped power with the support from abroad, and unleashed a new war in 2020, which ended with the signing of a capitulation paper on November 9.

In recent years, the achievements of the Karabakh movement were greatly wasted, a considerable part of the territories liberated during the first, victorious Artsakh war were handed to the enemy, nearly five thousand young men perished, many became disabled, tens of them are still in captivity, the very future of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia is in peril, the enemy has unobstructedly occupied territories in Armenia’s border areas. The national revival turned into national disappointment, for some it even turned into despair.

Armenia’s ruling authority continues to persistently depreciate the just struggle of the Armenian people, deliberately compromises the victorious heroes and continues to weaken the Armenian Army, undermines national unity, adding its voice to the enemy’s and through the false peace slogans diminishes within the country the awareness for resisting possible outside threats.

Compatriots,

This jubilee of the Karabakh movement presents yet another opportunity to awaken our languid national self-consciousness as a shield against the present challenges and new impeding threats. Thirty-five years ago that very self-consciousness became potent force in the seemingly desperate and impossible situations, and we won because of our national unity. None of us, who is a part of our nation, has a right to despair, retreat in the face of hardship, or move away from the struggle, just as Artsakh, which is adamant in its determination to live free and independent on its own land, is surviving today under blockade and hardship.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Artsakh,

Thirty-five years ago the Lachin corridor was closed just as today. But with your staunch will and courage, together with  the support of the entire Armenian nation, it was opened. I have no doubt it will happen again because today too, Artsakh’s struggle has become the struggle for Armenian dignity, which we, just as before, have to defend together. This is a struggle for the Armenian statehood, for our existence, for our identity, this is a life and death fight which  we are destined to win.

God bless our Fatherland!"