Author: Paul Hambardsumian

ICRC visits Nagorno-Karabakh man kidnapped by Azerbaijan during medical evacuation

Paul Hambardsumian

 17:42, 7 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, ARMENPRESS. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have visited Vagif Khachatryan, the 68-year-old Nagorno-Karabakh resident who was kidnapped by Azeri border guards during his ICRC-facilitated medical evacuation to Armenia on July 29.

“Our delegates again visited Vagif Khachatryan, who is arrested by Azerbaijan, on August 5 in Baku,” ICRC Armenia communications manager Zara Amatuni told ARMENPRESS, adding that Khachatryan has contacted his family through a letter. Citing confidentiality, Amatuni did not disclose other information.

Szentendre Open Air Museum dedicated to the Armenians of Transylvania

Paul Hambardsumian
Hungary Today
Aug 7 2023
MTI-Hungary Today 2023.08.07

Culture and gastronomy of the small, but for the Hungarian history, important ethnic group is comprehensively presented. Under the title Armenians in Transylvania, the part of the Open Air Museum of Szentendre that presents Transylvania (Region in contemporary Romania), will be dedicated to the culture and gastronomy of the Armenians on August 12.

The event beginning at 1 p.m. will, among others, see a performance by the Kortárs & Ballet dance group, and a gastronomic demonstration in the main square of the Transylvanian building complex, where visitors will be able to see how the traditional Armenian dish, Angadjabur soup, is prepared.

Afterwards, the NUR band will perform Armenian songs; Mária Várady, the director of ANI – Armenian Theater Buda, will give a lecture on Armenian literature entitled Far from Ararat. The dancers of the Armenian Theater Urartu will present a traditional costume show, the band Nevetek will play Balkan melodies from 6:00 p.m., followed by a dance house with the band Bekecs.

“Erected to God and to Elizabeth, protector of Armenian Piety”. Elizabeth Town Armenian Catholic Church (Erzsébetváros, Dumbrăveni), Transylvania. Photo: Zsolt Lakatos Facebook.

Transylvanian Prince Michael Apafi, authorized the resettlement of about 600 Armenian families from Moldavia in 1672, of which 55 families were later elevated to the nobility. They were allowed to establish their own trading towns, the most famous of which was Szamosújvár (now Gherla, Romania), called Armenopolis/Armenian Town or Hayakaghak (Հայաքաղաք). In Hungary, Catholic Armenians played an important role as merchants, farmers, officers, civil servants, artists, poets and politicians. In cooking and worship, Armenian characteristics are guarded to this day, but surnames have been largely Magyarized.

Well-known Hungarian personalities of Transylvanian-Armenian origin: Vilmos Lázár (1817-1849) and Ernő Kiss (1799-1849), both generals and martyrs of Arad, Pongrác Kacsóh (1873-1923), composer, Gergely Csiky (1842- 1891), playwright, Gergely Pongrátz (1932-2005), hero of the 1956 revolution.

Armenian Catholic High Mass in the cathedral of Armenian Town (Hungarian: Szamosújvár, Roman: Gherla) in Transylvania. In front: the so-called “Guardians of the Armenian Church”. Photo: Kulcsár László Facebook

The origins and urban traditions of Transylvanian Armenians are presented in the special exhibition The 1001 Fibers and Forms of Armenian Culture and through thematic walks through the Transylvanian part of the open-air museum. Visitors will be accompanied by Tamás Szegedy-Kloska, curator, and Dávid Fabók, editor of the Transylvanian Armenian Cultural Center.

Armenians in Transylvania around 1850. photo: Castelul Apafi, Facebook.

On this day, visitors can also learn about famous Hungarians of Armenian descent and Hungarian words of Armenian origin. Craft activities include the making of a red-robed doll in Armenian costume, an Armenian noble coat of arms and plate jewelry. Café Korzó offers typical Armenian dishes.

The oldest manuscript of the Armenian Catholic parish in Niklasmarkt (Gyergyószentmiklós, Gheorgheni), Transylvania. Photo: Armenian Art Festival Facebook.

https://hungarytoday.hu/szentendre-open-air-museum-dedicated-to-the-armenians-of-transylvania/

BTA. President Doubts that "Parliament of Low Legitimacy" Should Amend Constitution

Paul Hambardsumian

 17:44,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS/BTA. President Rumen Radev doubts that what he considers "a parliament of low public approval and low legitimacy" should amend the Constitution. "Let us see what they are going to propose. There is a majority but there have been no proposals about amending the Constitution," Radev said on Wednesday, taking a question from BTA about whether amending Bulgaria's basic law is on the agenda.

He was also asked to comment on a remark by Hristo Ivanov of Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, one of two coalitions which have worked out the formula of the present government. Ivanov said recently that Radev's opinion that "Ukraine insists on waging the war" against Russia puts the Bulgarian President in the same league as the pro-Russian President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, which Ivanov described as "irresponsible and dangerous for Bulgaria".

Radev said: "Mr Ivanov is doing everything possible, using all possible cards to make us forget the lowly way in which he deceived his voters and betrayed his own principles and values. He had built his entire political image as a fighter against the mafia, which he identified with [GERB party leader Boyko] Borissov, and against backstage politics, which he identified with [businessman and MP Delyan] Peevski. And now, he is not just locked in an embrace with them, he is their running dog."

Radev expects the government to defend Bulgaria's interests and to follow the Bulgarian agenda, paying attention to the problems of the people. "This will determine my attitude to the incumbents," he said.

(This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.)




Khanandyan speaks about the need for actions by international partners and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Paul Hambardsumian

 13:15,

YEREVAN, 14 JULY, ARMENPRESS: The severe humanitarian problem in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade requires concrete actions by international partners and they comprehend this, Armenpress reports, Sargis Khandanyan, the chairman of the Armenian National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, said at the press conference, reflecting on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is becoming more terrible day by day. We constantly speak out about this in the parliament. Recently I was in France as a member of the National Assembly President's delegation, and we discussed these issues in great detail with our French colleagues. Concrete actions are needed by international partners and they comprehend this", said Khandanyan

He assured that the position of the Armenian authorities regarding the protection of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh remains unchanged. The MP emphasized the need for dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, within the framework of which security and rights issues should be discussed, and they should have international visibility.

Khandanyan stressed that the provisions of the November 9 declaration must be followed. Now the decision of the UN International Court of Justice is added to that, which was reaffirmed by a recently made new decision.

"Our role is to raise these issues through diplomacy, including parliamentary diplomacy, try to increase the pressure on Azerbaijan and achieve concrete decisions on a number of platforms, including the UN Security Council, which will also imply actions, for example, a wider international presence in Nagorno-Karabakh, which will expressly guarantee the protection of the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians," the chairman of the committee emphasized.

Armenpress: France demands that no violence be used against NK population, whose aspiration is only to live peacefully. Ambassador

Paul Hambardsumian

 21:48,

YEREVAN, 14 JULY, ARMENPRESS․ France demands that no violence be used against the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade and is currently holding a rally in Stepanakert, whose only desire is to live in peace, ARMENPRESS reports at the event organized at the French Embassy in Armenia on the occasion of the French National Day, French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot, who is finishing her diplomatic mission in Armenia in the coming days, said.

Louyot also hailed the Armenian government's courageous commitment to peace and democracy despite an extremely difficult context.

Photos by Mkhitar Khachatryan

"France is sorry for the ongoing aggression on the borders of Armenia, as well as against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. A population that has been greatly affected by the blocking of the Lachin Corridor and whose rights must be respected in accordance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice. We know that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are currently holding a rally in Stepanakert, demanding to restore their rights, and we demand that no violence be used against the civilian population, whose only desire is to live in peace," said the Ambassador.

ABMDR Participates in Two Pan-National Medical Conferences in Armenia

Paul Hambardsumian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan during his presentation at the Medical Congress of Armenia. Photos courtesy of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry


Events Showcased Latest Medical Advances

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry took part in two globally-significant medical conferences in July that were held in Yerevan.

The ABMDR participated in the sixth International Medical Congress of Armenia from July 6 to 8.

Speaking at the event were ABMDR Executive Director Dr. Sevak Avagyan, Medical Director Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan, and Senior Lab Technician and Database Manager Alina Sirunyan. The speakers highlighted ABMDR’s latest achievements, not only in terms of matching donors for bone marrow/stem cell transplantation and research, but also in helping patients in Armenia with state-of-the-art molecular testing for diagnosis and treatment.

Main partners of the sixth International Medical Congress of Armenia included the Armenian Medical International Committee and the Armenian American Medical Society. In his remarks, AAMS President Dr. Vicken Sepilian, one of the event’s keynote speakers, stated, “What we’re trying to accomplish through this global conference is to bring the very latest achievements of medical science to the Armenian homeland.”

ABMDR also participated in the third Pan-Armenian Hematology satellite Symposium, which was held on July 5 in Yerevan. Representing ABMDR at the event was Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan, who spoke about the organization’s various areas of expertise and most recent achievements. During the symposium, a number of potential bone marrow donors joined the registry. All event participants also received informative pamphlets about ABMDR activities.

Commenting on the importance of the two medical conferences in Yerevan, ABMDR President Dr. Frieda Jordan said, “With their focus on scientific and technical progress, these events bring the global Armenian medical community together, for the very noble goal of promoting the health and well-being of our nation. It is an honor to take part in these pan-national events.”  

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 33,500 donors in 44 countries across four continents, identified over 9,000 patients, and facilitated 40 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.

President Khachaturyan visits US Ambassador’s residence to congratulate on upcoming Independence Day

Paul Hambardsumian

 16:42,

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan visited on June 29 the residence of U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien to extend congratulations ahead of the U.S. Independence Day.

President Khachaturyan congratulated Ambassador Kvien, the Embassy Staff and the people of the United States on the national holiday and wished them success, Khachaturyan’s Office said in a press release.

The President emphasized the importance of US support in the implementation of democratic reforms in Armenia and the development of Armenia following independence.

During the discussion, ideas were exchanged on the current agenda of Armenian-American relations and the consistent development of multi-level cooperation.

Aliyev continues to demonstrate his plans for ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. French MP

Paul Hambardsumian

 18:45,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Member of the French National Assembly, head of the France-Armenia friendship group Anne-Laurence Petel condemned the Azerbaijani attack in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"On behalf of the France-Armenia friendship group, I strongly condemn the Azerbaijani attack, which took the lives of four soldiers from Artsakh last night. Now that the blockade has lasted 200 days, Aliyev continues to demonstrate his plans for ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. What do (President of the European Commission) Ursula von der Leyen and (Head of the European Council) Charles Michel think about this "reliable partner", ARMENPRESS reports, the French MP wrote on her Twitter page.

On June 28, from 01:30, the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces opened artillery fire in the direction of the Armenian positions of Martuni and Martakert, using drones as well. The Armenian side has 4 victims.




Existential Crisis: Christian Communities at Risk in Azerbaijan-Armenia War

Paul Hambardsumian
TDPel Media
Judah Olanisebee

By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.

Christian Communities in Near East Face Existential Threat Amid Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict

Prominent Christian leaders, including former ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback, have issued a warning that the ongoing war between Azerbaijan and Armenia poses a grave risk to the Christian communities in the near east.

Brownback’s concerns were expressed following his recent visit to Armenia with the Christian human rights group Philos Project, where he witnessed the impact of the conflict firsthand.

Religious Cleansing and Blockade:

Brownback, a Catholic, denounced Islamic Azerbaijan’s invasion of Armenia and its ongoing blockade of the Nagorno-Karabakh region as an attempt at “religious cleansing” targeting the Christian nation.

Backed by Turkey, Azerbaijan is gradually strangling Nagorno-Karabakh, aiming to make the region unlivable for its Armenian-Christian population and force their displacement.

Urgent Call for Intervention:

To prevent the expulsion of another ancient Christian population from its homeland, Brownback urged the United States to intervene.

He called on Congress to pass a “Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Act” to provide essential security guarantees for the Nagorno-Karabakh population.

Additionally, Brownback emphasized the need for the U.S. to reinstate previously imposed sanctions on Azerbaijan if it continues its blockade.

Similar Attacks and Current Support:

According to Brownback, Christians in the near east have faced similar attacks in the past.

However, this time the religious cleansing is being carried out with U.S.-supplied weaponry and with the support of Turkey, a NATO member.

The location of Armenia, sandwiched between Turkey and Azerbaijan, makes it vulnerable to these regional dynamics.

With over 90% of the population being Christian, Armenia has deep-rooted Christian heritage dating back to ancient times.

Historical Context and Conflict:

The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dates back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when both Armenia and Azerbaijan claimed the land for themselves.

Following the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994, Armenia gained primary control of the region.

However, tensions between the two nations reignited in September 2020, resulting in a brief but intense military conflict.

Russia facilitated a peace deal in November, but Azerbaijan gained significant control, leaving Armenia with limited access to Nagorno-Karabakh through the “Lachin corridor.”

Humanitarian Crisis and Urgent Need for Assistance:

The ongoing Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor since December has severely impacted Armenian infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The situation is dire, with limited access to essential supplies, such as natural gas and electricity, causing immense suffering for the region’s population.

Philos Project President Robert Nicholson highlighted the urgent need for assistance, emphasizing that families have been separated, surgeries have been canceled, and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are in desperate need of help.

Conflict as an Ideological Struggle:

Contrary to the territorial dispute narrative often portrayed in media coverage, Brownback and Nicholson stress that the conflict in Azerbaijan and Armenia is rooted in ideology and religion.

It is not merely a question of land but also a clash of values.

The Armenian people, according to Nicholson, have modest demands: the desire to live securely in their homeland.

Room for Peaceful Resolution:

Despite the challenges and threats faced by Armenian Christian communities, Nicholson maintains that their plight is not a lost cause.

Armenia continues to demonstrate vibrancy amidst the hardships.

Nicholson believes that the United States can play a constructive role in facilitating a peaceful and just solution to the conflict, considering the alliance with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Conclusion:

The Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict poses a significant threat to Christian communities in the near east.

Religious cleansing and the ongoing blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh are pushing Armenia’s Armenian-Christian population towards displacement.

Urgent intervention is necessary to safeguard their rights and security.

The international community, including the United States, has a crucial role to play in bringing about a peaceful resolution and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

PACE Calls on Azerbaijan to ‘Ensure Free and Safe Movement Along Lachin Corridor’

Paul Hambardsumian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

With a vote of 48 to 16 the PACE called on Baku to end Artsakh blockade


The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in a vote of 48 to 16 and one abstention adopted a resolution on ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor.

Speaker of Parliament of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Artur Tovmasyan welcomed the adoption of the PACE resolution.

“We welcome the adoption of the resolution by PACE calling on Azerbaijan to unblock the Lachin Corridor, immediately fulfill the ECHR and ICJ rulings, restore power and gas supply into Nagorno Karabakh, ensure the movement of persons and vehicles along the Lachin Corridor in both directions,” Yovmasyan said.

He highlighted the fact that Azerbaijan is being called out to abandon its belligerent and threatening rhetoric against Armenians and resolve the issue of rights and security of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh through dialogue with Stepanakert, and neutral international involvement.

“Any mechanism aimed at peace is acceptable for us, we welcome international monitoring and fact-finding missions that would shed light on the existing situation and suppress Azerbaijan’s aggressive policy.”

Below are excerpts from the resolution.

Recognizing that the absence of free and safe access through the Lachin corridor is part of a much broader issue, the Assembly is convinced that a humanitarian response alone is not sufficient and that a political solution is needed.

Welcoming the negotiations underway between Armenia and Azerbaijan under the auspices notably of the European Union and the United States of America, the Assembly stresses that the current situation is not sustainable and may well lead to the Armenian population being forced to leave their homes and communities if there is no resolution to the conflict. In this context, it urgently calls for addressing the issues of the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh through dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert and a neutral international involvement in any peace implementation mechanism to be put in place.

Noting the interim measures decided by the European Court of Human Rights on 21 December 2022 under Rule 39 of the Rules of the Court calling on the Government of Azerbaijan “to take all measures that are within their jurisdiction to ensure safe passage through the Lachin Corridor of seriously ill persons in need of medical treatment in Armenia and others who were stranded on the road without shelter or means of subsistence,” the Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to implement this decision with no further delay.

Noting that the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to urgently “take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions”, the Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to also comply with this order urgently.

While noting that the mirror applications brought by Azerbaijan against Armenia were rejected by both international courts, the Assembly believes that Armenia must also play a role in de-escalating the tensions, and that it should be open to some form of international monitoring with the aim of assessing the veracity of Azerbaijan’s allegations regarding the illegal weapons being brought into Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to invite a Council of Europe delegation to visit the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh for a fact-finding mission, to assess the situation on the ground. It also calls on Azerbaijan to let other international organizations access the region, including United Nations agencies, in particular the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in line with their respective mandates and relevant principles regulating international humanitarian assistance.

The Assembly recognizes the crucial role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in transporting patients through the Lachin corridor, reuniting separated families and transporting medicines, medical equipment, seeds and food to the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh, as far as it was able. It recognizes, as a key point, that such interventions should not be required, and that the fact that they are is a clear evidence that there is no free and safe access through the Lachin corridor.

In the full recognition of Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, the Assembly calls Azerbaijan for a genuinely constructive and peaceful approach towards its neighbor Armenia and the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. It strongly encourages Azerbaijan to invest all efforts for a free and safe movement both ways along the Lachin corridor. In the meantime, it urges Azerbaijan to restore electricity and gas supplies without delay or impediment, and to agree with Armenians a new route for gas supplies and the electricity grid through Armenian and not Azerbaijani territory.

The Assembly is extremely worried by the hostile and threatening rhetoric used against Armenians at the highest level of Azerbaijan’s leadership and urges Azerbaijan to repudiate such rhetoric and take steps to tackle both hate speech, including by public and high-level officials, and hate crimes. To this end, Azerbaijan is encouraged to introduce and implement appropriate legislation with the assistance of the Council of Europe.

The consequences of the absence of free and safe access through the Lachin corridor have shown that confidence-building measures would certainly be useful in addressing certain situations. The Assembly therefore recommends Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage in confidence building measures under the auspices of the Council of Europe, notably with the involvement of medical doctors, journalists, youth and civil society. It also invites the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe to offer her good services to establish and foster dialogue and co-operation between the Human Rights Defender of Armenia and the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan.

The Assembly invites both Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentary delegations to discuss the possible steps towards the establishment of a conducive and fruitful dialogue based on topics of mutual interest, with a view to decreasing tensions and building sincere co-operation, which would help to dispel fears and mistrust.