News.am, Armenia
Jan 22 2020
11:32, 22.01.2020
Author: Ophelia Vardapetian
The California Courier Online, January 23, 2020
1 - Newly-Elected Patriarch of Turkey
Lashes Back at his Armenian Critics
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2- New Armenian Patriarch Sahak II Enthroned in Istanbul
3 - Catholicos Aram I Declares 2020 Year of Armenians with Special Needs
4- Danagoulian, MIT colleagues voted 2019 Arms Control Persons
of the Year
5- ARS Issues Emergency Appeal for Lebanese-Armenian Community
6- L.A.’s Little Armenia Cuisine Kicks Off January 20 on PBS
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1 - Newly-Elected Patriarch of Turkey
Lashes Back at his Armenian Critics
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
After giving a series of interviews to the Turkish press since his
election on December 11, 2019, the new Armenian Patriarch of Turkey,
Sahak II Mashalyan, responded to his Armenian critics on January 15,
2020, by issuing an official “Clarification” to Turkish-Armenian
newspapers.
It is important to point out that the Patriarch’s critics were not
simply those who live outside Turkey, unjustly accused of being
unaware of the repressive treatment of Istanbul Armenians by the
Turkish government. In addition to criticisms from Armenians in
Armenia and the Diaspora, the Patriarch was attacked by Armenians
living in Turkey as well as the Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos.
The Patriarch’s interview to the Turkish newspaper Aksham generated
the most controversy as he not only distanced Istanbul Armenians from
Diaspora Armenians, but also belittled the massive tragedy of the
Armenian Genocide. His Beatitude complained that a few of the
sentences in his interview with Aksham, drawing the most negative
interpretations and exceeding the limits of understanding, reached a
campaign of tarnishing his name.
The Patriarch made the excuse that in his 40-minute interview, he “had
provided lengthy explanations and details which naturally were not
included in the article. The words appearing in the newspaper were
filtered from those explanations which were given as answers for a
particular question. That style was the choice of the editor. Without
considering the questions, when only answers are provided, a change in
the meaning takes place, which is placed successively, one after
another. In this case, they become unclear expressions and failed
statements, which make the transmitted idea meaningless.”
The Patriarch then stated that he had given the following answer to
the question about Turkish Armenians: “Armenians of Turkey, unlike
Armenians in the Diaspora and Armenia, form a third segment. From the
point of view of administration and economy, the Armenian Diaspora has
no ties with us; we are self-sufficient.”
When his Beatitude was asked about the irreconcilable attitude of
Diaspora Armenians toward Turkey and the reasons for its negative
position, he claimed that the given answer does not belong to him, but
is a simple sociological correction—familiar to all—expressed as such:
‘One hundred years ago, the people who left these lands with a great
tragedy have transmitted the trauma they lived to future generations
and realized that for the Armenian identity and its preservation it is
beneficial and necessary to form a consciousness of the Genocide. They
continued to live for more than a hundred years in a status quo away
from Turkey and Turks. But, we—Armenians who have remained in
Turkey—continued to share our lives with Turks in these lands and
gained the experience of living together. In that sense, we are
distinct Armenians in the Armenian world.”
The Patriarch continued: “In such super sensitive subjects, the
priority of the people has been that they listen to what they want,
and not what the Patriarchs of Turkish Armenians say and under what
conditions. The fate of the Armenian Patriarchs of Turkey is like the
captain of a ship that is being crushed between two non-melting
icebergs. In that circumstance, it is not always possible to secure
harmony and errors appear to occur according to one of the sides.
Sahak Patriarch too, like his predecessors, has tried to give answers
regarding Armenian issues that are satisfactory to all sides. It is
never acceptable to any of the sides to take a rejectionist and
disregarding position. Each person must first understand correctly,
what in reality has been expressed in the uttered words and then
criticize.”
Some in the Diaspora may agree with the Patriarch’s words, emphasizing
the dire conditions that he and the Turkish community are in. Any
Armenian who is familiar with those repressive conditions can be
somewhat sympathetic to the Patriarch’s situation.
Our intent was never to urge the Patriarch to antagonize the
authorities in Turkey. After all, he is responsible for the safety of
his community. All we ask from the Patriarch is to be cautious in his
words, not to alienate his followers in Turkey and not insult the
memory of 1.5 million Armenian martyrs by engaging in outright
denialism. Whenever possible, the Patriarch should avoid giving
interviews to the Turkish press. He should appoint a press spokesman
who is capable of avoiding difficult and sensitive questions,
particularly on political issues. If the spokesman makes a mistake, it
is less consequential than if the Patriarch himself makes a mistake.
Spokesmen can be fired, but the Patriarch’s position is life-long.
Finally, it is unacceptable for the Patriarch to blame the Turkish
newspaper for allegedly misinterpreting his words. First of all, we do
not know what exactly the Patriarch told the Turkish newspaper and if
it was really misinterpreted. For example, in his above
“Clarification,” the Patriarch claims that he had used the word
“Genocide” in his interview with the Turkish newspaper. This is not
credible!
Secondly, the Patriarch is someone who is born and raised in Istanbul.
He knows the Turkish media well. He should have known that the Turkish
press often distorts the words of those they interview. Therefore,
giving an interview to the Turkish press and then complaining that his
words were distorted is not sincere. The Patriarch should have known
that in advance. Complaining about Turkish media distortions after the
interview is published is foolish!
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2- New Armenian Patriarch Sahak II Enthroned in Istanbul
ISTANBUL—Sahak Maşalyan (Mashalian), the 85th Patriarch of Turkey’s
Armenians, was enthroned as Sahak II in a ceremony held at the Surp
Asdvadzadzin Patriarchate Church in Istanbul on Jan 11.
Born in 1962 in Istanbul with the Turkish name Şahin Maşalı, he was
ordained a priest in 1992, receiving the name Sahak.
On Dec. 11, Sahak II won the election held among Armenian Gregorian
churches across the country after receiving 102 votes out of 119
against his rival Aram Ateşyan, who had served as acting patriarch
during the absence of Mesrob II, the previous patriarch who suffered
from Alzheimer’s disease from 2008 until his demise on March 8, 2019.
The congregation included Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew, the
spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, representatives of other
Christian denominations in Turkey and foreign diplomatic missions in
Istanbul.
Turkish Deputy Interior Minister Muhterem İnce and Chief Rabbi of
Turkey Rav Isak Haleva also took part in the ceremony.
Turkey’s President received Sahak II on January 14, Anadolu Agency
reports. The meeting was closed to the press.
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3 - Catholicos Aram I Declares 2020 Year of Armenians with Special Needs
The Monastery of Antelias of the Great House of Cilicia has declared
2020 as the Year of Armenians with Special Needs.
The pontifical statement explains that persons with special needs are
those “who are congenitally handicapped with physical, intellectual or
emotional inabilities, those with total or partial incapacity, who are
either born that way or have become so as a result of ulterior
incidents.” The statement goes on to note that the importance of
shifting societal views towards those who are “differently abled” and
that it “modern society emphasizes the principle of equality. In other
words, persons with special needs must have equal rights and
obligations in all spheres of life and at all levels of society.”
From a Christian standpoint, the statement explains that the Bible is
“full of similar expressions and definitions, events and figures,
which in different manners and with varying emphasis prove not only
the presence of persons with physical or mental inabilities in
society, but also about the careful treatment they received from the
prophets in the Old Testament as well as from the Son of God and the
Apostles in the New Testament.” The statement goes on to note that
“The Bible does not consider the physical incapacity a divine
punishment, but a trait of earthly life. God, as Heavenly Father,
treats persons exposed to that situation with special love.”
In considering the Armenian community, the pontifical statement notes
“that we should not approach people who need special care and
attention with a discriminatory spirit or ignoring them, but as
persons with equal rights and obligations. They have to feel that
their difficult conditions cannot become a cause for them to be
ignored or removed from our collective life, and we have to be aware
of that.”
The statement emphasizes that “We have to carry out consistent work
and create indispensable means to include them as a permanent and
active presence in our community life. We have to inspire their trust
with our approach, showing them that they do not have to be
marginalized from our life. On the contrary, they belong in the
mainstream and are an integral part of our community life. It is
imperative to include them in our organizations, structures and
committees, showing them respect and confidence in them and giving
them responsibilities. They are in charge of the highest offices in
several countries. What counts are the emotional and intellectual
virtues and abilities and the will to serve the nation. We must create
the specialized and material means for children and teenagers with
congenital and curable impairments for their definitive healing.”
The statement says it is “the sacred duty of every Armenian and the
entire Armenian nation to assist by all possible means… the members of
our nation who suffer from such condition.”
The Patriarchal Proclamation closed with a prayer: “Dispel the pain
and heal the sickness of thy people, Lord our God, and grant to all
perfect health by the sign of thine all-conquering cross through which
thou removed the weakness of mankind and condemned the enemy of our
life and salvation. Thou art our life and salvation, beneficent and
all merciful God, who alone can forgive us our sins and remove
diseases and sickness from us, to whom are known our needs and
necessities. Bestower of gifts, grant thy bounteous mercy to thy
creatures according to their individual needs, through whom thy Holy
Trinity is always glorified and praised, now and always and forever
and ever. Amen.”
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4- Danagoulian, MIT colleagues voted 2019 Arms Control Persons
of the Year
Professor Areg Danagoulian and colleagues at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) were selected as the 2019 Arms Control
Persons of the Year through an online poll that drew participants from
over 100 countries. The annual contest is organized by the
independent, nongovernmental Arms Control Association.
Prof. Danagoulian and his team were nominated for their work
developing an innovative new nuclear disarmament verification process
using neutron beams. This process addresses the fact that parties to
arms control treaties more often destroy delivery systems than
warheads (e.g., the U.S. dismantling B-52 bombers for compliance with
START).
This leaves large stockpiles of surplus nuclear weapons, increasing
risks of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. Instead, the
neutron beam test authenticates the warheads’ isotopic composition
without revealing it, enabling a verified dismantlement of nuclear
warheads.
Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association
remarked, “This innovation paves the way for more effective arms
control agreements, inspections, and enforcement. Professor
Danagoulian’s MIT team has brought the best science to arms control
and provided a creative solution that can reduce nuclear threats and
enhance security.”
This year, 10 individuals and groups were nominated by the Arms
Control Association staff and board of directors. All of the nominees
demonstrated extraordinary leadership in advancing effective arms
control solutions for the threats posed by mass casualty weapons
during the course of 2019.
This contest is a reminder of the diverse and creative ways that
dedicated individuals and organizations from around the globe can
contribute to meeting the difficult arms control challenges of today
and the coming decades.
Danagoulian is an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Science and
Engineering at MIT. He received his S.B. degree in physics from MIT.
He did his PhD research in Experimental Nuclear Physics at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His PhD thesis focused on
experiments which used real Compton scattering on the proton at 2-6
GeV, allowing to probe the proton's internal structure and how it
couples to external excitations.
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5- ARS Issues Emergency Appeal for Lebanese-Armenian Community
The economic crisis and the political instability in Lebanon have
taken an evident toll on the Lebanese-Armenian community.
The Armenian Relief Society’s Central Executive Board has closely
monitored the circumstances and, in November of 2019, already sent
$5,000 in order to help the Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon to ensure
the provided services remain uninterrupted.
However, the situation has gotten progressively worse, and the number
of Armenians asking for support from the Armenian Relief Cross of
Lebanon has exponentially increased. Therefore, the Central Executive
Board during its first Plenary Meeting (January 3 to 7) sent an
addition $10,000 and decided to initiate a campaign to collect
donations as part of an Emergency Appeal for Lebanon.
Through this project, entities and donors can sponsor the following
programs, projects:
The Hot Meal Program is distributed to 150 community members in need.
Although this program has been operating for many years (offered twice
a week), under these financial circumstances, the entity had to reduce
it to only one day per week. The Central Executive Board has deemed
this service a priority and it has reinstated the Hot Meal Program to
twice a week. With funding, the entity will continue to serve meals
twice a week. Donation: $500/per day for 150 people ($1,000 for both
days per week).
The Care Support project ($150) offers imminent aid such as
medication, one-month worth of groceries, and other basic needs will
be provided to individuals (who already rely on the entity for their
medication and nutrition) in order to help with the well-being of all
community members. The Hope Package ($150) provides families in need
with a box of groceries with a supply of food that can last them a
month.
As usual, any donation, regardless of how large it may be, can greatly
contribute to the cause. General donations will be distributed by the
Central Executive Board and the Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon,
wherever it is most needed.
Donations can be made to your local ARS entity or on https://ars1910.org/give/
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6- L.A.’s Little Armenia Cuisine Kicks Off January 20 on PBS
By Michele Stueven
No Passport Required with Marcus Samuelsson, which explores the food
and communities of America’s immigrant neighborhoods, kicks off season
2 on PBS January 20 with the premiere episode featuring L.A.’s
Armenian community and cuisine.
The Ethiopian-born chef raised in Sweden journeys from East Hollywood
to Glendale, visiting Phoenicia Restaurant, Mideast Tacos, Papillon
International Bakery, Sahag’s Basturma among others meeting Armenians
from Russia, Lebanon, Syria, Ethiopia and Egypt. From lule kabob to
ghapama (pumpkin stuffed with apricots, rice and Aleppo peppers,)
Samuelsson explores the rich Armenian history passed down from
generations in L.A.’s foothills in the series co-produced with Eater.
“I discovered how extremely diverse the community is, whether it’s
Persian Armenian or Turkish Armenian,” the New York-based Samuelsson
tells L.A. Weekly. “It has so many geographically different entry
points – which also means bringing a lot of different traditions
together and says a lot about the strength of the community and their
commitment to holding on to these traditions. I had some of the most
delicious food and best conversations and saw how deeply proud these
people are to be both Angelenos and Armenian.”
The premiere highlights the combination of younger chefs born in Los
Angeles, blending new ingredients and techniques with traditional
Armenian rituals passed down to them by their grandparents.
“You have the young caterer who is walking a walk between traditional
Armenian food and ingredients you might find in French restaurants,
balancing between rituals and spices and traditions,” says Samuelsson.
“Some are using foie gras in their sausage, for example. Then you see
things like how pumpkin is used, yogurt and different dairy products
combined with spice blends that have been used for hundreds of years.
There’s a fine line between holding on to your rituals which started
as cab driver food and create new versions of that for the Smorgasburg
crowd.
An immigrant himself, Samuelsson’s inspiration for the series came
from Jonathan Gold opening our eyes and our minds to immigrant
communities. Los Angeles offers what his adopted hometown of New York
doesn’t — it is vast and big and it’s not one thing.
“Restaurants are not the only way to express being a food town, and
L.A. is an incredible food city,” he says. “It can be food trucks or
markets. And especially in the Armenian community, which keeps it in
the home as a meeting point for people young and old to get together
to hold on to traditions. Restaurants might not be where all the food
is. Some of the best meals are kept at home. You find that a lot in
immigrant communities, rituals being kept. And that’s what we really
dive into in this episode — great food, tradition and conversation.”
Other upcoming episodes will journey to Houston for West African food,
the Italian American community in Philadelphia and the Chinese
community of Las Vegas. Samuelsson will also venture to the greater
Boston area to learn more about the Portuguese, Brazilian, and Cape
Verdean diasporas.
“Americans in general are always curious about their neighbors in
their cities and communities and eager to learn,” says the James Beard
Award-winning Top Chef Master. “The best way to learn about culture is
through food and I’m proud that this show highlights that.”
This article appeared in LA Weekly on January 8, 2020.
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A journey through history on Armenian Street in Singapore
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 17 2020
Society 11:42 17/01/2020 World
An in-depth look at Singapore’s history reveals a history of civic and commercial involvement by Armenian merchants and entrepreneurs who helped to develop this Asian hub in earlier times. This history is memorialized in part by the existence of Armenian Street in the central district of Singapore, Gus Gomez says in an article published by Asbarez on Thursday.
Armenian Street in Singapore first opened as Armenian Church Street sometime after the construction of the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The street is essentially tucked between Coleman Street and Stamford Road near what is now one of the largest financial districts in the world.
Today, the street serves primarily as a pedestrian mall with store facades featuring galleries, restaurants, and other attractions adjacent to the Singapore Art Museum. Singapore Management University School of Law is located at the northeast end of the street, housed in a modern sleek structure just east of the Singapore River and Fort Canning, famous for Raffles House and Fort Canning lighthouse.
The Armenian population in Singapore is described as a small community with a significant presence in the early history of Singapore, numbering about 100 individuals at their peak in the 1920s, according to Wikipedia. They were among the earliest merchants to arrive when Singapore was established as a trading post by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.
The first Armenian settlers in Singapore were descendants of Armenian people who migrated from Persia to other places including India and the Malay Peninsula. In the early 1800s, Armenian trading firms like Sarkies and Moses became more prominent in Singapore’s economy. Armenian merchants began investing in land by the 1830s.
In the 1880s, the Sarkies brothers—Martin, Tigran, Aviet, and Arshak—founded the Raffles Hotel (named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles). The colonial-style hotel is one of the most famous hotels in the world. Today the hotel’s main entrance still opens to Beach Road—what used to be a quieter street along the seashore but is now a busy shopping area along with other luxury hotels in Singapore.
In total, about 830 Armenians lived in Singapore between 1820 and 2000, as noted in Wright’s book, “Respected Citizens: The History of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia.” The Armenian community virtually disappeared by the 1970s. But the small Armenian diaspora’s contribution to business and cultural endeavors was significant.
Armenian Street is of further cultural significance in Singapore, which includes other thoroughfares representative of the ethnic, cultural, and spiritual diversity of this country. The Sultan Mosque, for example, is located at the end of Arab Street.
Gus Gomez is a former mayor and councilmember in Glendale and is now a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. He recently visited Singapore and came upon Armenian Street while exploring the city.
“Huge structure” – 2nd century aqueduct unearthed in Artashat
14:20,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. Archaeologists have discovered a 2nd century aqueduct during excavations in Artashat, a town in the province of Ararat 30 km southeast of Yerevan. The water bridge was constructed sometime between 114-117, according to Pavel Avetisyan – the Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences.
He said the finding is a “huge water supply structure”.
“We have unearthed the foundations of this aqueduct. 20 foundations were unearthed in one kilometer territory”, Avetisyan said.
He said studies will actively continue in 2020 to understand what has been preserved and what can be excavated in the “legendary capital city of Artashat”. Founded by King Artashes I in 176 BC, Artashat served as the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia from 185 BC until 120 AD.
Moreover, experts have revealed that several massive royal palace buildings have been recorded in what near the highway leading to Khor Virap outside Artashat. The foundations of these structures have been preserved and are currently on lands that is privately owned. Avetisyan said they will work in this direction also.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Artsakh Foreign Ministry welcomes adoption of US House resolution on Armenian Genocide
Artsakh Foreign Ministry welcomes adoption of US House resolution on Armenian Genocide
19:52,
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The foreign ministry of the Republic of Artsakh issued a statement, welcoming the adoption of the resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives on recognizing the Armenian Genocide, the Artsakh MFA told Armenpress.
The statement says:
“We welcome the adoption of H.Res.296 Resolution by the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress on recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 in the Ottoman Empire.
We express our deepest gratitude to members of the U.S. House of Representatives Adam Schiff and Gus Bilirakis for authoring and submitting the resolution, to the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues for its support of the resolution and consistent efforts towards its passing, as well as to all the Congressmen and Congresswomen who voted for the adoption of the resolution.
We convey our congratulations and highest gratitude to the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America for their coordinated work with Congressmen, as well as to all those whose consistent efforts led to the adoption of this historic Resolution by the overwhelming majority.
The adoption of the resolution is an important step aimed at thwarting Turkey's attempts to deny the first Genocide of the 20th century and a significant contribution to the universal struggle for preventing such crimes.
We are convinced that the adoption of the Resolution by the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress on recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 in the Ottoman Empire is not only of moral, but also of practical significance – it will contribute to ensuring peace and stability in our region”.
Հայաստան է ժամանել ՌԴ ԶՈՒ պատվիրակությունը
- 28.10.2019
- Հայաստան
- arm
- rus
71
Հոկտեմբերի 28-ին Հայաստան է ժամանել ՌԴ զինված ուժերի ավիացիայի թռիչքների անվտանգության ծառայության պետի գլխավորած պատվիրակությունը՝ երկկողմ քննարկումներին մասնակցելու նպատակով:
Այս մասին հայտնում են ՀՀ ՊՆ-ից:
Asbarez: Creative Armenia Offers ‘First Page’ Challenge for Screenwriters
Creative Armenia’s screenwriters challenge
YEREVAN—Creative Armenia is delighted to announce a new creative challenge for screenwriters, powered by Ucom. The $2,000 top prize will go to the screenwriter who can write the most compelling first page of a movie called Creative Armenia. Applicants are asked to draw inspiration from a poster, designed by Anahit Petrosyan, for that movie.
Petrosyan’s poster is the winner of Creative Armenia’s previous challenge in partnership with Ucom. The challenge awarded a $2,000 prize to the most compelling poster for a movie called Creative Armenia. So now the poster for that imaginary movie will inspire its first page.
The First Page screenwriting challenge is open to everyone. There are no restrictions of genre, age, nationality, or location. Applicants should submit only the first page of an original screenplay, together with a short application form. The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm on December 1, 2019, Armenia time. For more information and to apply, visit the website.
“Every one of our creative challenges takes us somewhere we don’t expect,” said Alec Mouhibian, Founding VP of Creative Armenia. “We are excited to read a variety of story-beginnings that make us want to turn the page.”
The First Page screenwriting challenge is the third collaboration of Creative Armenia and Ucom, following and linked with the Movie Poster design challenge.
“As usual Ucom encourages creative and innovative people to showcase their talent, Our company has many examples of talented screenwriters, directors and actors being highly praised internationally,” said Hayk Yesayan, Co-Founder and Director General at Ucom.
Creative Armenia, a global arts foundation for the Armenian people, pursues a mandate to discover, develop, and promote innovative talent.
Ucom, the fastest fixed and mobile services provider in Armenia and a member of Galaxy Group of Companies, along with the other members, implements social impact projects to support the creative culture in Armenia.
To learn more about the First Page screenwriting challenge and to apply, please visit the website.
Venice Commission: ratification of Istanbul Convention by Armenia would greatly benefit victims of domestic violence
ARKA, Armenia
Oct 15 2019
YEREVAN, October 15, / ARKA/ In response to a request by Armenian Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan to have the opinion of the Venice Commissionon the constitutional implications of the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) for Armenia, which raised hot debates in the country, the Venice Commission said Armenia signed the Istanbul Convention on 18 January 2018 and the process of ratification is pending.
The Venice Commission reiterated that the ratification of a treaty is a sovereign act of the State, which means that the State is entirely free in its choice of whether or not to ratify a treaty and, as a result, be bound by its obligations.
It also said that the assessment of the compatibility of a treaty, i.e. the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence –the Istanbul Convention, with the Constitution is, according to the Constitution of Armenia, the task of the Constitutional Court of Armenia, upon request by the Government of Armenia, before the treaty is ratified.
It said hence the views expressed by the Venice Commission may serve this Court in its task by providing an external legal analysis of the Istanbul Convention. It may also contribute to public debate on the ratification of this Convention.
It said with respect to the allegation that the Istanbul Convention is not needed there are three assertions to take into consideration.
The first assertion is of a factual nature. As domestic violence is a widespread and extensive phenomenon in Europe and affects all member States of the Council of Europe, including Armenia, ratifying this Convention would greatly benefit victims of such phenomena.
According to it, the second assertion relates to the alleged lack of new elements introduced by the Istanbul Convention, with the object being already adequately addressed in other international legal instruments. There are various human rights instruments, both at the universal and regional level, which have been ratified by Armenia and which deal with some of the issues covered by the Istanbul Convention. However, the Istanbul Convention builds on these instruments and is focused specifically on violence against women and domestic violence, which are not explicitly addressed by the older instruments, by introducing new provisions and adopting a comprehensive approach to the phenomenon, and provides a specific monitoring mechanism. The Istanbul Convention therefore presents a specific added value as compared to the previously ratified international treaties in this area.
The third assertion is that the Istanbul Convention is not needed because there already is a satisfactory national (legislative) framework in Armenia to combat all forms of violence against women. While it is up to each individual State to assess –in the light notably of factual data –what are the best means to tackle the phenomena covered by the Istanbul Convention at the national level, the presence of a sound internal infrastructure to safeguard human rights does not detract from the desirability and value of external scrutiny. Both are complementary, not contradictory elements.
With respect to the allegation that the Istanbul Convention contains certain terms and concepts that clash with the terms and concepts enshrined in the national constitution of the country under consideration. This assertion primarily concerns the terms of gender, gender identity, family, marriage and sexual orientation.
Gender:
The Constitution of Armenia does not refer to gender, but guarantees the equality of men and women (Article 30) and provides for “the promotion of factual equality between women and men”(Article 86(4)) as one of the objectives of State policy. The elimination of violence against women, including gender-based violence, and the promotion of measures aimed at achieving this, including measures seeking to change harmful gender stereotypes, is fully in line with this constitutional regulation.
Gender identity:
The Istanbul Convention does not require States Parties to take any measures to recognize these various categories of persons or to grant them any special legal status, but simply confirms that gender identity ranks among the prohibited grounds of discrimination. This regulation seems to be fully compatible with Article 28 (general equality before the law) and Article 29 (prohibition of discrimination) of the Constitution of Armenia.
Family:
The Istanbul Convention, however, does not contain any definition of the family nor of partner nor same-sex relationships, nor does it promote any particular form of such relationships. The Istanbul Convention therefore does not collide with national constitutions’ definition of the family.
Marriage:
The Istanbul Convention only mentions marriage in the context of forced marriage (Article 37) and therefore does not contradict national constitutions that define marriage as a union between a woman and a man –which is the case of Armenia.
Sexual orientation:
This term refers to individuals, who are members of a sexual minority, such as lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBT) as well as individuals who consider themselves to be heterosexual. The Istanbul Convention only refers to sexual orientation in the non-discrimination clause (Article 4(3)). It does not oppose the existence under domestic law in some States to legal entitlement or claim to this category –this does not per se mean that the Convention imposes a positive obligation on States, which do not acknowledge the existence of that legal entitlement, to actively introduce such a notion in their own domestic legal order.
With respect to the allegation that the Istanbul Convention would result in legislative changes that would contravene the national constitution of the country under consideration 108. The main changes foreseen in this context relate to same-sex marriage, education and reporting by professionals.
Same-sex marriage:
The Istanbul Convention does not refer to homosexuals at all nor does it refer to marriage, except in connection with forced marriage (Article 37). Therefore there is no obligation for States Parties to the Istanbul Convention to legalize same-sex marriage. Hence, there is no contradiction with the Constitution of Armenia.
Education:
The Istanbul Convention does not interfere with the right of parents to educate their children according to their own preferences. This matter, in fact, remains outside the scope of the Istanbul Convention, which merely encourages States to include teaching materials on issues mentioned in the provision in school curricula.
In this respect, the Istanbul Convention gives States Parties a large discretion in deciding how (to what extent and in which manner) they will educate their population about the matters covered by the Istanbul Convention. Therefore, there seems to be no contradiction between Article 14 of the Istanbul Convention and the Constitution of Armenia.
Reporting by professionals:
The Istanbul Convention does not get rid of professional confidentiality, but urges States Parties to facilitate certain professionals, primarily in the health sector, to report suspected cases of serious acts of violence against women or domestic violence, without running the risk of being sanctioned for breaching confidentiality. The Istanbul Convention leaves States Parties the discretion to decide which measures to take and under which “appropriate conditions ”to make reporting by professionals possible and does not foresee mandatory reporting. The Istanbul Convention therefore does not require States Parties to legislate in a manner that might be seen as incompatible with the constitutional provisions on confidentiality of communication.
With respect to the allegation that the Istanbul Convention introduces a body with excessive competences. The Istanbul Convention establishes a new international body, the Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO) to monitor the state of implementation.
GREVIO does not have any unusual competences for an international body and its competences are rather limited. It does not, for instance, have the right to receive inter-state or individual petition, i tmay not issue binding conclusions and the recommendations based on its reports are to be issued by the Committee of the Parties, not by GREVIO itself. There is thus no de facto, let alone de jure, surrender of national sovereignty to an external body involved in the ratification of the Istanbul Convention
With respect to the allegation that the Istanbul Convention introduces new commitments in the field of asylum law. With respect to asylum law, the ratification of the Istanbul Convention does not imply that all gender-based violence is automatically considered as “serious harm” or that adopting a gender-sensitive approach means that all women will automatically be entitled to refugee status. It merely acknowledges that women may face certain types of persecution that specifically affect them.
The introduction of a gender-sensitive understanding of violence against migrant and asylum-seeking women and girls seems to be in line with the Constitution of Armenia –creating two sub-categories of particularly vulnerable people to gender-based and domestic violence, needing protection from the State, which is inspired by the protection of basic human rights, notably the right to life, the right to health and the right to human dignity and complies with Article 30 and Article 86(4) of the Constitution of Armenia.
In conclusion, while it belongs to the Constitutional Court of Armenia to rule on the compatibility of the Istanbul Convention with the Constitution of Armenia, the Venice Commission is of the view that there are no provisions in that Convention that could be said to “contradict” the Constitution of Armenia. On the contrary, the main obligation of the Istanbul Convention, namely to prevent and combat any form of violence against women and domestic violence, already follows from the Constitution and from other human rights treaties to which Armenia is a state party. -0-
Pashinyan gifts Putin “Peace to Karabakh” book by V. Kazimirov
Pashinyan gifts Putin “Peace to Karabakh” book by V. Kazimirov
17:24,
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gifted Vladimir Kazimirov’s 2009 book called “Peace to Karabakh” to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the CIS summit in Turkmenistan on October 11.
Kazimirov is a retired Russian diplomat who served as Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group from 1994 to 1996.
The book contains official documents and the author’s analytical materials regarding the NK conflict settlement.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Glendale Community College can now commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
Glendale News Press, Los Angeles
Oct 10 2019
Glendale Community College can now commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
David Viar, left, superintendent/president of Glendale Community College, spoke in Sacramento in June in support of SB 568, which was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday evening. The bill was authored by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), right, and allows Glendale Community College to observe Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24 without having to take a $500,000 hit for closing the school.
(Courtesy of Anthony Portantino)
For years, while the Glendale Unified School District and other Jewel City public entities have observed Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day every April 24, Glendale Community College has remained open because of financial constraints.
That’s about to change, however, as Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 568 into law Tuesday evening, which allows the roughly 27,000-student community college to close its doors on April 24 without costing the school state funding.
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge).
“Two years ago, I was honored to have been asked by GCC board members to help offset the cost of closing on April 24,” Portantino said in a statement released Tuesday evening.
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“Today, I am very proud to have sent a bill to the governor to help our Armenian community, greater community, the faculty, administrators, and students of GCC solemnly and appropriately commemorate the Armenian Genocide without unnecessary financial pressure,” he added.
Glendale College board member Armine Hacopian was a key advocate in starting the process.
“When I first approached Sen. Portantino several years ago about this issue, he made a commitment to see it through as he appreciated its value for our students and employees to commemorate April 24th without causing loss of funding to GCC,” Hacopian said.
Prior to the bill, Glendale Community College held classes on April 24 because shutting down the campus would have cost approximately $500,000, according to school estimates.
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“GCC will use this legal day of remembrance, and other opportunities throughout the year, to educate our students and communities about the Armenian Genocide to assure such atrocities never happen again,” said David Viar, superintendent/president of Glendale Community College, who spoke to lawmakers in Sacramento in June.
An important day in Glendale, April 24 is annually dedicated worldwide to commemorate the 1.5 million Armenians murdered by the Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1923.
No other state in the country has a larger portion of the Armenian diaspora, with many calling Glendale home.
Approximately 37% of Glendale Community College‘s credit students and 49% of non-credit students are of Armenian heritage, according to staff reports, which is higher than the 39% of city residents and 36% of Glendale Unified students who are of Armenian descent.
“April 24 is of great significance to our student body and to know that our community leaders recognize this is of great importance to us,” said Sune Aghakian, Associated Student Body president at Glendale Community College, after Newsom’s approval of the measure.
“Acknowledging April 24th as a day of remembrance will allow us to educate and recognize the historic and significant perseverance of our Armenian-American community,” Aghakian added.
Portantino’s bill provides Glendale Community College with the same flexibility afforded the Glendale Unified School District.
Glendale Unified has recognized Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day since the 2013-14 school year as the California Education Code has allowed the district to swap the day of schooling with a holiday as long as the district completes 180 instructional service days.
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Glendale Community College has a lower threshold and can now exchange the day as long as the institution completes a minimum of 175 instructional service days. Last school year, Glendale Community College totaled 178 days.
Glendale Unified’s board wasn’t passive, however, in its support of the change at the local college and mailed a letter to state Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino), chair of the senate education committee, in favor for SB 568 in August.
“We are extremely grateful that the senator championed this issue and enabled us to commemorate the Armenian Genocide by closing our campuses without incurring a financial penalty,” said Vahe Peroomian, Glendale Community College board president, in a statement released Tuesday evening.