Author: Maral Takmazian

Azerbaijani Press: Report on Armenian war crimes circulated at United Nations

Maral Takmazian
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
March 2 2020
2 March 2020 17:10 (UTC+04:00)
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By Akbar Mammadov

The Report on “War crimes in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia’s responsibility” prepared by the eminent international lawyer Malcolm Shaw and Naomi Hart was circulated as the document of the UN General Assembly and of the Security Council, Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry reported. 

The report examines the war crimes committed by Armenia in the territories of Azerbaijan currently under occupation and the responsibility of the Republic of Armenia, said MFA of Azerbaijan.

“Besides the theoretical overview of the relevant legal norms, the report contains convincing evidences and factual information of violation of these norms by Armenia”. 

Referring to the documents of international organizations, decisions of European Court of Human Rights, the report also allude to investigations of non-governmental organizations, information of mass media, independent sources such as analysis by individual authors, as well as the documents and materials of relevant state agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

Being divided into two sections, the report covers both the historical and factual background and analysis of the war crimes. While the first section includes a general overview of international humanitarian law and an analysis of the responsibility of Armenia, the second section consists of the following order of war crimes committed by Armenia. First, war crimes relating to civilian deaths and injuries; also war crimes related to civilian property, mistreatment of detainees and prisoners of war, as well as war crimes relating to the taking hostages, ethnic cleansing, the forced displacement and changing the character of the occupied territories, war crimes relating to destruction of cultural heritage and damage to the natural environment.

The report also refers to the UN Security Council resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993), emphasizing an unambiguous support of the UN Security Council to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of international borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In the meantime, the document highlights that Nagorno-Karabakh region is an integral part of Azerbaijan and demanding immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and providing conditions for the return of the displaced persons to their homes.

Underlying that Armenia ignore all these demands and resolutions, the report also mentions that it continues to maintain the territories of Azerbaijan under occupation. Additionally, the report shows that Armenia even violates norms of international law and carries out various illegal activities in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

In this regard, the distribution of the report on “Illegal activities in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2016 and a joint report of the Azercosmos OJSC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled “Illegal activities in the territories of Azerbaijan under Armenia’s occupation: evidence from satellite imagery” of 2019 within the UN is noted in the report.

The report also provides legal opinion for the illegal economic and other activities run by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, legal arguments of the illegality of actions of Armenia and Armenia’s international responsibility.

The report together with the letter from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN addressed to the Secretary General was published as official document of the UN General Assembly and Security Council on 7 February 2020.


Jordanian minister: Armenia, Jordan can cooperate in various sectors

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 10 2020

Armenia and Jordan pursue close political ties, which should also have an impact on economic relations, Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Tariq Hammouri told reporters in Yerevan on Monday on the sidelines of Armenia-Jordan Business Forum.

“This time we are on a visit to Armenia led by King Abdullah II of Jordan. Our delegation includes representatives of the private sector, who will hold meetings with the private sector of Armenia to further strengthen ties between them. The meetings should focus on trade and economic exchanges, which we call B2B meetings,” the minister said. 

Tariq Hammouri noted that Armenia and Jordan can cooperate in various sectors, especially in the IT sector, since both Armenia is quite advanced in this field, while Jordan has made serious achievements in the IT sector.

“I see great prospects in this area. There are also prospects for cooperation with Armenia in the field of tourism. There is a sanctuary in Jordan where Jesus Christ was baptized, and there are numerous sights,” Hammouri said.

A Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed between Armenia’s Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply of Jordan during the business forum.

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan will arrive in Armenia on a two-day official visit on Monday evening. 

Sports: Roma lost despite Mkhitaryan’s goal

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 8 2020

Roma's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League suffered another blow on Friday as a 3-2 home defeat by Bologna extended the capital club's winless streak to three Serie A games.

Riccardo Orsolini took advantage of an error by English defender Chris Smalling to grab a 16th-minute advantage for Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico, before Stefano Denswil's dreadful own goal drew Roma level just six minutes later. But Gambian international Musa Barrow scored excellent individual efforts either side of half-time to send Bologna on their way to victory.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's header gave the home side hope with 18 minutes remaining, but Bryan Cristante was sent off shortly afterwards to end any thoughts of a comeback.

Bologna climbed to sixth in the table after their third straight win, one point above Cagliari and Parma in the race to qualify for the Europa League.

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Asbarez: Western Prelacy Lends Support to Lebanese-Armenian Community

Maral Takmazian
February 7, 2020

The Western Prelacy has donated $25,000 to the Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon to show its support for the Armenian community in Lebanon

Taking into account the recent economic crisis in Lebanon, and as a show of support and solidarity to the Armenian community in Lebanon, Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and the Religious and Executive Councils announce that the Western Prelacy has donated a sum of $25,000 to the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon for social services needs.

“Any crisis faced by any of our communities is a crisis for us all, and the Armenian people have always approached such crises with united and immediate efforts,” stated the Prelate, expressing hope that our people will once again lend their support to the Armenians in Lebanon.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 29-01-20

Maral Takmazian

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 17:28, 29 January, 2020

YEREVAN, 29 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 29 January, USD exchange rate down by 0.29 drams to 478.58 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.90 drams to 526.53 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.10 drams to 7.65 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.92 drams to 622.87 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price вup by 156.22 drams to 24218.67 drams. Silver price вup by 5.61 drams to 276.58 drams. Platinum price down by 301.68 drams to 15109.74 drams.

Armenian MP talks about political prisoners and democracy in Azerbaijan at PACE

Maral Takmazian
News.am, Armenia
Jan 30 2020

18:04, 30.01.2020
                  

Today the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) considered the issue of political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Talking about political prisoners in Azerbaijan, deputy of the Prosperous Armenia faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Naira Zohrabyan stated that this has always been one of the big topics being considered by the Council of Europe. She also stated that for years Azerbaijan has tried to overturn the reports that don’t favor Baku through its caviar-loving lobbyists and voiced hope that the independent investigative body of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will disclose the trace of caviar carriers. Zohrabyan touched upon the issue of democracy in Azerbaijan and cited Aliyev, who has declared that democracy is not an apple that one can easily buy in a market.

Court of Appeal leaves decision of Razmik Abrahamyan’s pre-trial preventive measure unchanged

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 1 2020

Court of Appeal denied the motion to arrest Armenian maternity hospital chief Razmik Abrahamyan accused of arranging illegal adoptions of Armenian children by foreigners. The Court confirmed the first instance court ruling to release him. The decision was announced on Saturday under presiding Judge Andranik Mnatsakanyan.
“The petition on the pre-trial preventive measure filed by prosecutors was denied, and the judge kept the ruling of the first instance court unchanged,” Abrahamyan’s attorney Samvel Dilbandyan told reporters.

Razmik Abrahamyan, Director of Republican Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology (Republican Maternity Hospital) is charged with involvement in the scheme of arranging the illegal separation of children from parents in a previous agreement with a group of people under Part 2.2 of Article 167 of Armenia’s Criminal Code and accepting bribes in return for the transaction under Part 3 of Article 200 of the same code (Commercial Bribe).

Russia to drop murder charge against Khachaturyan sisters

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 31 2020

Law 13:55 31/01/2020World

Investigators in the case of three sisters accused of killing their abusive father have been ordered by Russia's Prosecutor General's office to drop the murder charge against them and instead classify their actions as self-defense, their lawyer said Friday, according to The Associated Press.

The case elicited widespread outcry after reports emerged that the sisters — 17, 18 and 19 years old at the time — acted after years of being beaten and raped. In December, Russia's Investigative Committee charged Maria, Angelina and Krestina Khachaturyan with premeditated murder, despite their lawyers arguing that young women acted in self-defense.

On Friday, their lawyer, Alexei Parshin, was quoted by the TASS news agency as saying that the Prosecutor General's office refused to support the Investigative Committee's case and ordered the murder charged to be dropped.

Prosecutors concluded the sisters' actions were “carried out within the legal limits of the necessary self-defense," Parshin said and suggested the case against the sisters might be closed altogether.

More than 350,000 people signed a petition this year demanding the sisters' release. Women's rights activists rallied in their support both in Russia and abroad.

The case prompted Russian lawmakers this year to start working on a law against domestic violence, something women's rights advocates have been unsuccessfully fighting for since 2016.

Citizens of Armenia warned against visiting China

Maral Takmazian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 27 2020

The Foreign Ministry is recommending citizens of the Republic of Armenia are recommended not to visit China, except in cases of urgent need.

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in China, the Ministry of Health and specialized agencies keep following  the situation connected with the new type of coronavirus

The agencies are in contact with international organizations as well as the authorities of the People’s Republic of China and with other partner countries to exchange necessary information.

“Given the current situation with the coronavirus infection, we urge Armenian citizens to temporarily avoid visits to China, except in cases of urgent need,” the Consular service of the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It also urged Armenians in the Republic of China to keep in touch with the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Armenia FM receives Kansas Army National Guard delegation

Maral Takmazian
News.am, Armenia
Jan 27 2020

18:12, 27.01.2020
                  

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan today received the delegation led by Adjutant General of the Kansas Army National Guard, commander of the Army National Guard, Major General Lee Tafanelli.

As reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, greeting the guests, with satisfaction, Minister Mnatsakanyan underscored the participation of the US representational delegation in the events dedicated to Armenian Army Day.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the US-Armenia strategic dialogue and emphasized the importance of implementation of the agreements reached through that dialogue. The parties indicated the development and expansion of decentralized cooperation as a key component of the bilateral agenda, the best example of which is the cooperation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia established with Kansas in 2003. They also expressed willingness to take joint steps in already traditional directions, including peacekeeping and military medicine and, in this context, Armenia’s foreign minister highly appreciated the US government’s significant contributions to the strengthening of Armenia’s peacekeeping capacities.