Author: John Hovhannisian

An Armenian civilian was repatriated today in an operation carried out under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Communication Programs Director of the ICRC Yerevan Office Zara Amatuni confirmed the news to

The woman had crossed the international border into Azerbaijan on 8 November 2015. Today’s handover took place on the road between the Azerbaijani town of Gazakh and the Armenian town of Ijevan, at the international border.

Acting as a neutral intermediary and in accordance with its mandate, the ICRC facilitated this repatriation in conjunction with the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities. The individual in question had previously confirmed to ICRC staff that she was returning of her own free will. ICRC representatives were also in contact with her family prior to the operation.

On the basis of its mandate under the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC has been working in the region since 19n92 in connectio with the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

FIFA said on Thursday it had admitted five candidates to stand for the world football body’s presidency at a Feb. 26 election, Reuters reports.

In a statement, Zurich-based FIFA said the candidates were: Prince Ali Al Hussein, Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino and Tokyo Sexwale.

Of the seven potential candidates named last month, Michel Platini and Musa Hassan Bility were not admitted. The decision can be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

 

 

 

Turkish author Pinar Selek’s book titled “Because they are Armenian” has been published in Armenian. The book reflects the author’s stance on the Armenian Genocide and the approaches of the Turkish public.

The French translation of the book was released in Strasburg in February.

“In the book I have written what it means to be Armenian in Turkey,” she told a press conference in Yerevan today.

In 1998 Pinar Selek was prosecuted in connection with an explosion that occurred at the Spice Bazaar, but was acquitted by the Istanbul High Criminal Court of Istanbul 16 years later. She had to move to France because of persecutions in Turkey.

The author said she faced the 1915 massacre of Armenians too late. “There can be nothing more precious than the struggle for truth,” Selek said.

When writing the book she was inspired by her late friends, who lived in Turkey. “They can’t speak today, and I’m speaking for them.”

“I have problems with justice, and I’m struggling for my own justice. That’s why I know how important every testimony is for achieving justice,” the author said.

“Believe, I’m not alone. I’m a representative of a whole generation, which questions many truths we have been taught in Turkey,” Selek added.

Director of Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan delivered a lecture at the Faculty of Protestant Theology of the Charles University in Prague on “The History and memory of the Genocides Committed in the Ottoman Empire against Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians”.

The lecture marked the start of genocide courses at Charles University.

The course is intended for BA and MA students at the faculties of history, political science, theology, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, medicine and law in Charles University. The course is being held for the first time and the lectures will be continued until the end of the academic year. Foreign and Czech experts studying genocides are invited; including; specialist of Holocaust and other genocides in history Dr. Paul Levine, and Academician Gerhard Baumgartner. During this course the students will learn about genocide causes, mass violence, history of mass genocides, and crimes against humanity.

AGMI Director handed the publications of AGMI to the faculty library.

Agreement for future cooperation has been made between AGMI and Faculty of Protestant Theology of the Charles University. –

President Serzh Sargsyan participated today in the opening session of the 31st Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of La Francophonie at Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. About 500 representatives from organization’s member countries and of the General Secretariat of the International Organization of La Francophonie have arrived in Armenia to take part in the 31st session of the conference. Armenia’s president delivered an address at the conference.
Address by President Serzh Sargsyan at the 31st Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie
Honorable Chairperson of the conference,
Mrs. Secretary-General,
Dear heads of delegation,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am greatly honored to herald the beginning of this representative meeting, the 31st Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of La Francophonie. This is an exceptional event for our country, and Armenia is hosting the members of the great Francophone family with the same exceptional sincerity and devotion. This conference is a wonderful chance for all of us to once again honor the Francophone culture and sum up the solemn Francophone atmosphere prevailing in Armenia during the whole year. I cordially welcome all of you to Yerevan.

Let me also congratulate Michaëlle Jean, the newly-elected secretary-general of the International Organization of La Francophonie, who is participating in the works of the organization’s ministerial conference for the first time since taking office. Throughout this brief period of tenure, Mrs. Jean has tried her best to present the organization and its constituent institutions in the international arena. I am confident that under her able leadership, the organization will continue the best traditions of more than decade-long activities carried out by previous Secretary-General Abdou Diouf, the former president of Senegal, and will achieve further success in the organization’s works. Congratulations, Mrs. Michaelle!

Armenia has ages-old ties with many of the Francophone family countries. About one millennium ago, French was the language of official business correspondence and arts in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia which was situated along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. Today Armenia consistently fulfills the commitment undertaken under its membership in the Francophonie to popularizing and advancing the French language.

Currently, being a part of an organization representing 80 states and governments from five continents, including also separate entities, affords us new opportunities to reinforce our historical ties and establish and deepen new ones.

Mr. Chairperson,

Presently, we live under conditions of new crises and threats that have emerged in the international arena, and can witness further widening of dividing lines. Hence, special importance have begun to acquire international and regional organizations which try to unite and not to divide. We must reinforce our institutions, raise their effectiveness and importance. In this respect, the International Organization of La Francophonie holds vital significance: our unity is grounded first of all on values – isn’t it? – which is a precious and eternal unifying factor in the present world.

Unfortunately, there are also conflicts and crises that continue to pose a threat to the security of some regions of the Francophone space and endanger their sustainable development. It was no accident that the main subject of the conference proposed by Armenia is “The Peace, Tolerance, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding in the Francophone Space.” We believe that through tolerance we can avoid a lot of problems and on the contrary, intolerance can result in crises, conflicts and even in the commitment of genocide, the gravest crime against humanity. We know about it from our own experience.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to stress the Francophone family’s solidarity and support for the Armenia people in the context of the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, which was expressed in the statement made by the organization’s secretary-general. We strongly believe that such crimes are possible to prevent only through concerted efforts and taking lessons from the past, preserve and respect universal values, including those of the Francophonie. Our goal is to build a society grounded on the principles of tolerance, peaceful existence and democracy.

There are other fields where we can work together – protection of human rights, migration, environmental protection, issues pertaining to economic development and youth: those all have long been classified as priorities by the Francophonie.

I would like to lay special emphasis on the problem of climate change monitoring. It is the overall responsibility of each and every one of us to secure a healthy and safe future for our generations. In this respect, I am confident that the Francophone community will made its contribution to the success of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris at the end of this year.

Mr. Chairperson,

Dear colleagues,

By hosting this conference in Yerevan three years after Armenia’s full-fledged membership, we want to reaffirm our country’s devotion to the International Organization of La Francophonie, a space of cooperation and dialogue, under the auspices of which flourishes the Francophonie’s treasure – its diversity. For us, the Francophonie is a culture, mentality and a set of moral values.

I wish the conference productive work, and I also wish you an active and pleasant cognitive stay in Armenia.

I welcome you!

Hacı Lokman Birlik, brother-in-law of pro-Kurdish, left wing HDP deputy Leyla Birlik, was killed during a clash with Turkish police earlier this week and was allegedly dragged behind a police vehicle. The Ministry of Interior Affairs has announced it has launched an investigation into the matter, BGN News reports. 

According to media reports, a clash broke out between Turkish security forces and the Revolutionary Patriotic Youth Movement (YDG-H) – the youth wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) – in the Dicle neighborhood of Şırnak earlier this week. Hacı Lokman Birlik, brother-in-law to HDP deputy Leyla Birlik, was killed during the clash.

The photograph of Hacı Lokman Birlik’s body tied to the back of a police vehicle and dragged through the streets of Şırnak has been shared by thousands of social media users, who have condemned the photograph as a disgrace.

A video that emerged on Sunday showed a special operations police officer putting his gun on the head of a journalist after the latter wanted to record a police raid on the municipal building in Silvan which has been under a curfew for three days, Today’s Zaman reports.

The video showed police threatening journalists in front of the Silvan Municipality after reporters from Özgür Gün TV wanted to take images from the raid. One of the policeman put his gun on Özgür Gün TV cameraman Murat Demir although he had said he shut down his camera.

Police detained Demir as well as Dicle News Agency (DİHA) reporter Sedat Yüce after seizing their cameras.

Frank Engel, member of the European Parliament, has tabled an urgent official enquiry to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica Morgherini following attacks by the Azerbaijani army against Armenian civilians.

The aggressions on villages in Armenia, which resulted in the death of three women, have already been condemned by several members of the European Parliament last Friday.

In his question, Mr Engel (MEP – EPP Group) underlines the fact that this is the second attack on civilian population perpetrated by Azerbaijan on the land of the Republic of Armenia this month and asks Ms Morgherini to pronounce herself on these military actions. He also highlights that this second aggression took place on the eve of the OSCE Minsk Group peace talks that the co-chairs are trying to organise in New York.

Mr Engel, who is also a member of the European Friends of Armenia’s Advisory Council, refers to the two latest resolutions on Azerbaijan adopted consecutively by the European Parliament (September 2014 and September 2015) and in particular to the recommendation to apply sanctions against this country’s officials.

“I think that Mr Engel’s step is essential. All European Union Institutions should react to such an aggression, especially when one country that is part of the EU neighbourhood and the Eastern Partnership attacks the population of another one”, explains Mr. Lorenzo Ochoa, director of European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA).

The questions by Mr Engel will be translated to the European Union working languages. Once the External Action Service receives the question it will answer within three weeks.

On 21 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in connection with the Independence Day.

The letter runs as follows:

“Your excellency, Mr. Sargsyan,

I cordially congratulate You and our whole nation on the 24^th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia, a holiday that symbolizes our century-long will and resolution to be free and independent.

Having lost the statehood the Armenian people were subjected to multiple trials for centuries, resisted encroachments of the enemies and suffered severe deprivations. However, they never despaired, never lost their national identity, faith, language and never relinquished their goals even for a moment.

These goals became reality in 1991 when the independent statehood was restored on the ancient Armenian land. That was the path to the salvation of our nation, a way to victories and achievements, realization and self-affirmation that the Armenians pass with dignity and overcome all the difficulties and hindrances due to their unity and unwavering spirit, day by day solidifying and strengthening the native country and carving its reliable future.

Respectful Mr. President,

I congratulate You and all our compatriots on the Day of Independence once again. I wish peace, successes and all the best to our people and Mother Armenia – the Motherland of all the Armenians, the source of pride and confidence”.

The Armenian scored a sublime hat-trick in Dortmund’s Europa League qualifier and the head coach has hailed his professionalism, Goal.com reports.

Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel says it is a pleasure to watch Henrikh Mkhitaryan play following his dismantling of Wolfsberger on Thursday.

Goals from Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provided the platform for a stunning Mkhitaryan hat-trick to cap a thrashing of the Austrians and seal a 5-0 victory on the night and 6-0 aggregate win to see Dortmund sail into the competition’s playoff round.

Mkhitaryan’s treble came within 13 breathless minutes late in the second half and Tuchel hailed the Armenian as a player he hopes can lead by example.

“Mkhitaryan is an absolute model professional. I’m very glad to have him in this team,” the head coach said.

“It’s a great pleasure for me to work with him and to watch him and see how he deals with his talent.”

All of Dortmund’s goals came in the second half after a first period of near misses and poor finishing had set pulses racing at Signal Iduna Park.

Aubameyang especially was guilty of spurning numerous chances throughout and, though pleased with his side’s efforts after the interval, Tuchel was keen to stress the need to strive for better.

“The second half was a good reaction to the first,” he added. “We played with great tempo, showed good temperament, created many chances and ended with five goals scored.

“I was pleased with the second half, but in the first half we had a lack of positional discipline and could not play our passes.

“In the second 45 minutes we showed great discipline in the spaces in which we want to combine. As a consequence we could play much faster passes and play between the lines.”

Harvey Nichols has pulled out of its first store in Azerbaijan just four months after opening in the oil-rich state widely criticised for human rights abuses, reports.

The seven-floor store in Baku’s Globus Plaza no longer runs under the upmarket department store’s name after a split with licence partner Perfomans, part of a local investment company.

A statement said: “Harvey Nichols has terminated its licence agreement with the operator of the Baku store. Consequently, the Baku store no longer operates under the Harvey Nichols brand.” The retailer said it could not comment further for legal reasons.

The Baku outlet was the department store’s eighth overseas venture, joining others in Turkey, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai. The 110,000 sq ft store was Harvey Nichols’ largest outside London, offering stylists, personal shoppers, restaurants, a beauty hall and more than 500 international designer brands.

At the time of the opening, Harvey Nichols’ chief executive, Stacey Cartwright, said: “This market is fast becoming one of the top luxury retail destinations in the world and we are excited to offer the ultimate in luxury shopping and hospitality to the discerning customer in Baku.”

But trade journal Retail Week reported that Harvey Nichols began moves to exit the store within weeks of opening.

Harvey Nichols’ exit from the country comes as it prepares to open a new store in Birmingham on Friday