10:30,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Filmmaker Hayk Ordyan’s Zulali will be screened September 13-18 at the Tashkent International Film Festival’s World Cinema program.
The National Cinema Center of Armenia provided partial financial assistance for the film, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport said in a statement.
Aghavno residents gather their belongings to leave the village in Artsakh's Berdzor region (Armenpress photo by Tatev Duryan)
In a report submitted to the OSCE Minks Group Co-Chairs, Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan detailed more rights violations by Azerbaijan in August 2022. The report was also sent to organizations with a primary mandate of human rights protection and other human rights institutions.
The first section of the report presents details on the systematic and continuous crimes committed by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh after the November 9, 2020 Statement. After the establishment of the ceasefire, Azerbaijan committed more than 112 crimes that caused human casualties and significant material damage. As a result of those crimes 3 civilians and 15 military servicemen were killed, 126 persons were subjected to attempted murders (48 civilians, 78 military personnel), and 65 people (14 civilians, 51 military personnel) were wounded in various degrees. The section also made a reference to the Azerbaijani aggression launched against the people of Artsakh in August 2022 and its consequences.
The second section provides details on the existential importance of the Corridor connecting the Republic of Artsakh to the Republic of Armenia (Lachin Corridor) for the people of Artsakh, the inadmissibility of changing its legal regime, and Azerbaijan’s illegal demand of changing the route of the Corridor much earlier than was agreed under the November 9, 2020 Statement. It has been stated in the section that to advance its illegal demands, Azerbaijan continuously uses or threats to use force, grossly violating international law.
The third section introduces details on the depopulation of Berdzor, Aghavno, and Nerkin Sus communities of the Kashatagh region of Artsakh, resulting in gross violations of fundamental human rights, also referring to the European Court of Human Rights’ interim measures issued on August 19, 2022, and expanded on November 3 of the same year, which call on the parties “to refrain from such actions that could lead to a violation of the rights of civilians protected by the Convention.”
The fourth section provides some proof of the drastic increase in hate speech and other manifestations of Armenophobia by the state officials and public figures of Azerbaijan, parallel to the August escalation. It has been stated that Azerbaijan is clearly violating the order of the International Court of Justice issued on December 7, 2021, particularly paragraph 2, according to which Azerbaijan must “refrain from engaging in or tolerating hate speech against Armenians… punishing all acts of racial discrimination, both public and private, against Armenians, including those taken by public officials.”
The fifth section makes a reference to the necessity of clarifying the mandate of the Russian peacekeeping mission, which will provide effective mechanisms for properly countering the ceasefire violations and for ensuring stable and lasting peace.
The report was prepared on the basis of studies conducted by the Human Rights Defender’s Office, on the visits to various communities, citizens’ houses, on private conversations with citizens, and information received from state-authorized bodies. The aim is to document the cases of violation of the rights of the people of Artsakh by Azerbaijan and their various manifestations and to draw the attention of international institutions and human rights organizations to the situation in Artsakh.
Read the complete report.
16:36,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. According to preliminary data, around 40,000 first graders will start school in Armenia on September 1, the ministry of education, science, culture and sport said.
The ministry added that the final number of the 1st graders will be known on September 10 as the schools will complete the entry of the data into the electronic system.
PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States has responded to Azerbaijan's threats to remove Washington from the process of normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.
On Wednesday, August 24, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken appointed Ambassador Philip Reeker as Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations and Minsk Group Co-Chair. Blinken noted that Reeker’s appointment reaffirms Washington's commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts in the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva took to Twitter to respond to Blinken's appointment and repeat Azerbaijan's narrative that "the Karabakh conflict has been resolved" and that "Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan."
"Attempts to 'resuscitate' the de-facto non-functioning Minsk Group may result the USA to be estranged from the process of normalization of the Azerbaijani-Armenian relations," the spokesperson wrote.
However, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Bureau of Global Public Affairs, later defended the appointment, maintaining that Blinken appointed Reeker to serve as the senior advisor for Caucasus negotiations to underscore the United States' commitment to facilitating peace in the South Caucasus.
"As a country, we are committed to facilitating direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia bilaterally, multilaterally, and in cooperation with likeminded partners to achieve a comprehensive peace settlement between the two countries," Patel added.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, noting the role of Russian peacekeepers in ensuring stability in the region, the Kremlin press service reported.
"The discussion of the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh continued. The importance of the consistent implementation of the trilateral agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan dated November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021 was confirmed," it said, RIA Novosti reported.
At the same time, the role of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in ensuring stability in the region was noted," it added.
In addition, some issues of further development of the relations of strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Armenia were touched upon, according to the report.
If Azerbaijan considers itself the legal successor of the Azerbaijan Republic of 1918-1920 and does not recognize the Azerbaijan SSR within its borders, then we can remember that Nakhchivan was transferred to Azerbaijan during the USSR. In this case, let them return it to Armenians, famous cartographer Rouben Galichian told NEWS.am.
He reminded that from 1918 to 1936, there were no enclaves in Armenia and the USSR had created them.
"So the Azerbaijanis should not talk about them either, as well as about Allich, which was also handed over to them by the USSR. Everything that was handed over by the Soviet authorities should be returned to Armenians," Galichian noted.
The expert reminded once again that the document on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was ratified back in 1969 on the basis of the maps of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces.
"The Azerbaijanis have seriously advanced from this border deep into Armenia in the areas of Sevlich, Shroja, David Bek. Until they withdraw their troops beyond the border line, the document on which Azerbaijan itself ratified, we should not start the process of delimitation and demarcation," he said.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent deep condolences to the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturian and the Prime Minister of this country Nikol Pashinyan in connection with the loss of life as a result of the explosion in the territory of the “Surmalu” shopping center in Yerevan, announced the “Watan” news program of the Turkmen television today.
On behalf of the people and the Government of the country, and also on his own behalf, the head of Turkmenistan conveyed words of empathy and support at this difficult moment to the families and friends of the victims, and wishes for a speedy recovery to the victims.
On August 14, a warehouse of pyrotechnic materials exploded in the “Surmalu” shopping center. According to the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the explosion killed 16 people, injured more than 60, and 18 are considered missing, including a Russian citizen and an Iranian citizen.
Investigators completely ruled out the version of the attack. The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia opened a criminal case on violation of the rules for storing flammable substances and fire safety rules.
https://turkmenportal.com/en/blog/50653/serdar-berdimuhamedov-expressed-condolences-to-the-leadership-of-armenia-in-connection-with-the-tragedy-in-yerevan
UPDATED: Death toll in Yerevan market explosion reaches 5
08:16,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. The death toll in the market explosion reached 5, with another 16 people missing, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said.
One of the 5 victims is still unidentified.
185 firefighter-rescuers, 20 water tanks from City Hall, a dozen trucks, tractors and multiple other equipment are working on the scene.
The urban search and rescue teams from the provinces of Shirak and Tavush are also dispatched to the area.
The Russian-Armenian Humanitarian Response Center is assisting the Rescue Service of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations in overcoming the consequences of the explosion and determining the cause.
A strong explosion ripped through the Surmalu market just outside the city center around 13:23, August 14.
The prosecution said the investigators are looking into all possible versions. However the criminal case is opened on Violation of Fire Safety Rules Causing Deaths and Violating of Safety Rules for Storing, Transporting, Using or Supplying Flammable or Incendiary Materials Causing Death.
Initially it was reported that the building which caught fire and subsequently exploded was a fireworks warehouse.
UPDATES:
08:58 – Authorities report the death toll reached 6
12:36,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of Japan in Armenia offered condolences over the Surmalu market explosion in Yerevan.
“The Embassy of Japan extends heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the people of Armenia over the terrible blast at the “Surmalu” market. At this hard moment of bereavement the people of Japan sincerely share the grief and pain of the families of victims and wish swift recovery to the injured people,” the Embassy of Japan said in a statement.
ArmInfo. The strengthening of control on the section of the Meghri-Agarak (M2) highway, along the state border of the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, is associated with an increase in attempts to illegally import hard drugs and psychotropic substances (hashish, methamphetamine, heroin) from Iran to the Republic of Armenia.
This was stated at the request of ArmInfo by the press service of the Border Guards of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSS) in the Republic of Armenia, referring to the reasons for strengthening control on the Meghri-Agarak section of the highway, along the border with Iran.
It should be noted that earlier, a number of Armenian media, referring to head of the enlarged Meghri community, Bagrat Zakaryan, in order to cross the road from Meghri to Agarak, it is necessary to pass through checkpoints. He clarified that Russian peacekeepers have formed about 5 modular checkpoints in Meghri, where Russian border troops carry out border service. They were established 8-9 months ago.
The head of community specified that one of the checkpoints was established on the Meghri-Agarak road, on the banks of the Araks, the other one on the road leading to Agarak, another checkpoint was also established on the road leading to Shvanidzor, two more checkpoints were established on intercommunal roads leading to villages. In this regard, the Border Guards of the Russian FSS in RA reminded that they carry out their activities to protect the state border of Armenia with the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the basis of the interstate agreement "On the status of the border troops of the Russian Federation deployed on the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and the conditions for their functioning signed between the two countries in 1992. "Recently, a tense operational situation has developed on the Armenian-Iranian section of the state border, caused by an increase in attempts to illegally transfer heavy narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (hashish, methamphetamine, heroin) from Iran to Armenia. In addition, cases of violation of the state border by representatives of extremist and terrorist organizations are recorded. Thus, in 2021, the Russian Border Guards arrested two militants in the territory of the border guard detachment of Meghri – armed with weapons, grenades and a large amount of ammunition, which came illegally from Iran.
In order to ensure the security of the Republic of Armenia, in accordance with the RA law "On the State Border", in agreement with the Government, the National Security Service and other competent bodies of Armenia, since the beginning of this year, a number of equipped posts on duty of border guards have been established to carry out selective (and in case of search and prosecution of violators of the border – all without to carry out selective verification actions related to persons and vehicles in order to identify(and in the case of the search and prosecution of border violators, all persons, without exception), prevent and suppress the facts of smuggling, organization of illegal migration and other offenses. We ask citizens moving in the border zone to treat with understanding the legitimate requirements of law enforcement agencies," the Border Guards said.