Author: Shushan Frangulian

Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh holds meeting with head of Russian community

Shushan Frangulian

 12:57,

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Davit Ishkhanyan held a meeting on August 21 with the Head of the Russian Community of Nagorno-Karabakh Alexander Bordov.

Bordov presented the activities of the Russian community in Nagorno-Karabakh and issues pertaining to the community life, the NK parliament’s press service said in a readout.

Issues aimed at the ties between the Russian community and the parliament, as well as strengthening of cooperation were discussed.

Azerbaijan violates Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire

Shushan Frangulian

 10:55,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military violated the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh on August 16, the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Defense Ministry said in a statement Thursday. 

The Azeri forces used small arms in the shooting in Martakert region around 22:10. Nagorno-Karabakh did not suffer casualties.

The Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said they’ve notified the Russian peacekeepers on the shooting.

Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of troop buildup for ‘another military adventure’

Shushan Frangulian
i24 Israel
Aug 14 2023

'In recent days there has been a large concentration of weapons, military equipment and personnel along the state border' says Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry

Azerbaijan accused Armenia on Monday of seeking “another military adventure,” with a buildup of troops along their shared border, a claim dismissed by Yerevan as disinformation.

"In recent days there has been a large concentration of weapons, military equipment and personnel along the state border in order to carry out another military adventure," Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry said.

Baku said Yerevan also built up military infrastructure within the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh, further accusing Armenia of undermining peace efforts and appealed to the UN.

"Azerbaijan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity by all legitimate means provided for by the UN Charter and other universal instruments of international law," the foreign ministry concluded.

Tensions escalated in recent days with fresh accusations from Armenia against Azerbaijan, saying Baku blockaded Armenians in a separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and also urged the UN to intervene.

Yerevan in turn denied Baku’s claim that it had amassed weapons and troops near the border, or in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia said Azerbaijan's statement did "not correspond to reality,” according to AFP.

The two Caucasus neighbors have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as Azerbaijan, since the 1980s. Russian peacekeepers have been based in the area since 2020, but have lately been preoccupied with the “special operation” in Ukraine.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been unable to reach a lasting peace settlement despite mediation efforts by the European Union, United States and Russia.

Meanwhile, Yerevan has warned that the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is deteriorating and dire, with international aid groups echoing the shortages of food, medicines and energy. Furthermore, it accused Baku of blocking traffic through a road linking Armenia to Armenian-populated settlements in the territory.

Lachin Corridor Blockade Starves Nagorno-Karabakh

Shushan Frangulian
Forbes
Aug 8 2023
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab

Contributor

Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab is a lawyer, human rights advocate, and author.

On August 7, 2023, a group of United Nations experts raised the alarming situation in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. As they emphasized, the blockade, which has been obstructing the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia since December 2022, has left the population facing “acute shortages of food staples, medication, and hygiene products, impacted the functioning of medical and educational institutions, and placed the lives of the residents – especially children, persons with disabilities, older persons, pregnant women, and the sick – at significant risk.” Furthermore, as hospital reserves are depleting, hospitals were struggling to provide care. The U.N. experts called upon Azerbaijan to immediately restore the free and secure movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin corridor, as per the ceasefire agreement of November 2020.

The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijani protesters since December 12, 2022, reportedly protesting about the issue of alleged illegal mining of natural resources in Nagorno-Karabakh. The protest, blocking the Lachin Corridor, halts the normal movement of people and goods in or out of the enclave, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, resulting in shortages of the products in the enclave. Eight months later, the situation of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh turned into a humanitarian emergency requiring an urgent response and Azerbaijan continues to ignore the calls to address the situation.

On December 21, 2022, the European Court of Human Rights decided to indicate to the Government of Azerbaijan, under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, 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.

In February 2023, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, ordered provisional measures to ensure that Azerbaijan ends the blockage of the Lachin Corridor. The order, which has a binding effect, states that the Republic of Azerbaijan shall, pending the final decision in the case and in accordance with its obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan did not act upon the order and the Lachin Corridor continues to be blocked.

On July 30, 3023, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to express deep concern for the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Reportedly, “Secretary Blinken underscored the urgent need for free transit of commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles through the Lachin corridor, and emphasized the need for compromise on alternative routes so humanitarian supplies can reach the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.” It is not clear what was the resolution of that conversation.

On August 8, 2023, Luis Moreno Ocampo, an Argentine lawyer who served as the first Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, published an opinion about the blockage of the Lachin Corridor, arguing that “there is a reasonable basis to believe that a genocide is being committed against Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023.” As he indicated, the blockade of the Lachin Corridor impeding access to any food, medical supplies, and other essentials “should be considered a genocide under Article II (c) of the [UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide] (Genocide Convention): ‘Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.’” Ocampo further added that “There are no crematories, and there are no machete attacks. Starvation is the invisible genocide weapon. Without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks.” He called upon States to act in accordance with their duty to prevent genocide, as per Article I of the Genocide Convention.

The reports of the dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh must be taken seriously at last and acted upon. As Nagorno-Karabakh is being starved, the international community cannot continue looking away as it has done for the last eight months. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh require urgent assistance without any further excuses.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2023/08/08/lachin-corridor-blockade-starves-nagorno-karabakh/?sh=132b610933b6

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2023/08/08/lachin-corridor-blockade-starves-nagorno-karabakh/?sh=132b610933b6

Lillian Avedian appointed assistant editor at The Armenian Weekly

Shushan Frangulian
August 9, 2023 Weekly Staff Announcements 0

Lillian Avedian

WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Weekly is delighted to announce the appointment of staff writer Lillian Avedian as the newspaper’s new assistant editor.

Avedian joined the Weekly three years ago as a summer intern and quickly became an integral part of the team. As the 2020 Artsakh War broke out in September, Avedian began her position as staff writer, assisting the editorial team in pivoting from the paper’s traditional weekly format to a daily report of events as they unfolded during the war.

After the war’s devastating conclusion, Avedian’s weekly front page news reporting on the events in Armenia and Artsakh, as well as the South Caucasus and the geopolitics of the region, have become required reading for Armenian Weekly subscribers and supporters. Avedian has also authored incisive investigative reports, stories about the global diaspora communities, and opinion pieces tackling culture and identity. 

“It has been an honor to work for the Armenian Weekly for the last three years, and I am grateful to continue serving this historic publication in a new capacity as assistant editor,” Avedian says. “The Weekly is unique in our modern media landscape. It is a publication in which Armenians can trust that their experiences and opinions will be reflected. From stories with global implications to local community features, the Weekly will always spotlight the Armenian perspective, led by journalistic integrity and a personal understanding of the nuanced issues facing our community. This perspective is multiple, as the global Armenian community is rich and diverse in geography, language, identity, religion and political affiliation. It is my wish that Armenians of all identities feel represented by the Weekly.”

Avedian came to the attention of the editorial team as one of two winners of an essay contest held by the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) in 2019. She read her award-winning essay to resounding applause at NAASR’s gala celebration of its 65th anniversary and inauguration of its new Vartan Gregorian building on November 2, 2019. 

Avedian graduated in May this year from New York University with master’s degrees in journalism and Near Eastern studies. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in peace and conflict studies and Armenian studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

Avedian’s writing has been published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Democracy in Exile and Girls on Key.




Court jails Sergey and Armen Smbatyan in pre-trial detention

Shushan Frangulian

 10:09, 31 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. A Yerevan court has approved a customary 2-month remand term for Sergey Smbatyan, the Principal Conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and his father Armen Smbatyan, a former Armenian ambassador to Russia and Israel, a day after the two men were arrested.

The prosecution said that the Smbatyans are suspected of large-scale real estate fraud which caused nearly 1 billion drams in damages to the state.

Authorities said that a third suspect is also in custody. The latter was identified as entrepreneur Arman Petrosyan.

Athletes prevail during a rainy AYF Midwest Junior Olympics

Shushan Frangulian
August 3, 2023 AYF-YOARF Diaspora, Youth 0

The winning home team: Detroit AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” Junior Chapter (Photo: Raffi Sarrafian)

The 57th annual AYF-YOARF Midwest Junior Olympics, held on July 14-15, were hosted by the Detroit AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter. The games brought together Junior members from across the midwest regional chapters of Detroit, Racine, Chicago and Granite City to engage in a weekend of competition and socializing with their fellow AYF members. 

The weekend began with a picnic on Friday at Marshbank Park in West Bloomfield, Michigan, a nice setting near Cass Lake. Athletes and alumni were treated to food and music and a great evening of meeting new people and catching up with familiar folks. 

The Olympics began Saturday morning at the Hawk Community Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Although it was a rainy day of events, the passion and spirit of the Juniors prevailed, and they had great performances in their competitions throughout the day.

The solid Chicago AYF “Ararat” Junior Chapter Team (Photo: Raffi Sarrafian)

As the host chapter, the Detroit “Kopernik Tandourjian” team had a great showing of athletes competing in the Junior Olympics. However, this did not mean that Chicago, Racine and Granite City would go down easily. Athletes, who also included two members-at-large, competed in a variety of track and field events, including races, shot put, long jump and the baseball throw. 

Unfortunately, due to the poor weather, the opening ceremony was delayed until the evening’s dance to ensure all of the events were completed in good time. Nevertheless, the kiddie race was still held, and many future AYFers had the opportunity to experience competing at the Midwest Junior Olympics.

The Racine AYF “Armen Garo” Junior Chapter Team (Photo: Raffi Sarrafian)

Racine and Granite City put up a great effort throughout the day; however, it was clear that the winner of Midwest Junior Olympics would come down to Chicago and Detroit. Chicago’s younger and older boys made a strong statement, garnering many of the points in their respective events, while Detroit’s older and younger girls stepped up in a big way to earn significant points in their events. Due to the rain, the medal ceremony was moved to the evening dance, leaving plenty of excitement for who would be receiving a medal on the podium.

After a great day of competing, it was time for the Midwest Junior Olympics dance at the Sarkis Lillian Arakelian Hall in Dearborn, Michigan. Musical entertainment was provided by Detroit’s very own Nigosian Band, which was a perfect cap on an eventful day of competition. Later at night the medals were awarded, and the high scorers received their trophies and recognition for their strong performances during the games. 

Tina Peltekian Sportsmanship Award recipient Aline Killian (Photo: Raffi Sarrafian)

Just prior to the final results being announced, the Chicago and Detroit chapters gave out their two special awards. First was the Tina Peltekian Sportsmanship Award, which was awarded to a Junior who showed great sportsmanship and involvement during both Olympic practices and the games themselves. Presented in honor of Tina Peltekian, a member of the Chicago “Ararat” Chapter who passed away from cancer, the award was announced by coach Mike Jerikian and awarded to Aline Killian. 

The next special award was the Uncle Herman Sportsmanship Award, which was presented by the Detroit chapter. Named in honor of ARF advisor Herman Torigian, who spent over 40 years being a mentor for Juniors in the Detroit chapter, the award was announced by coach Laura Nigoghosian and awarded to Sevana Derderian.

At long last, it was the moment everyone was waiting for: the final results. In fourth place was Granite City, led by siblings Nick and Sarah Varadian who put up a solid 23 points. In third place was Racine, who had outstanding performances throughout the events with 49 points. Although Chicago put together a high-point total, their 112 points were not enough to take first place from host chapter Detroit. Detroit’s Juniors delivered an excellent performance during the events, bolstering 159 points as they defended their home in a fantastic manner.

The high-scorers of the Midwest AYF Junior Olympics (Photo: Raffi Sarrafian)

As is tradition for Midwest Junior Olympics, each chapter performed its chapter dance, and the crowd was generous with donations for all the competing teams.

As the weekend came to a close, some of the Juniors offered their thoughts about their experiences at Midwest Junior Olympics:

“This Junior Olympics was my first time competing, and I thought it was the greatest experience. The weather was a challenge, but it made the whole team come together. We all supported each other to do our best!” Aline Killian of the Chicago “Ararat” Chapter

Granite City “Antranig” Chapter athletes Sarah and Nick Varadian (Photo: Raffi Sarrafian)

“I had so much fun participating and cheering everyone on at the games and dancing all night long.” Ani Sarafian of the Detroit “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter

“This past weekend at Junior Olympics in Detroit, my brother Nick and I had a fun weekend making memories at the picnic on Friday, the track and field events, and the dance on Saturday night. I met a lot of new friends and hung out with old friends. I was fortunate enough to bring home some medals from all of my races, and I won the high score in my age category. I am sad that I am too old to participate in Juniors next year, but I will never forget all the memories I made from Junior Olympics, and now I get to participate in Senior Olympics. Even though my brother Nick and I were the only ones from Granite City, I think we represented Granite City well.” Sarah Varadian of the Granite City “Antranig” Chapter 

“I loved Junior Olympics because I got to see my friends from out of town. It is very fun to participate in different events and compete with other people.” Mourad Bagdasarian of the Detroit “Kopernik Tandorujian” Chapter

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Founded in 1933, The Armenian Youth Federation is an international, non-profit, youth organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). The AYF-YOARF Eastern United States stands on five pillars that guide its central activities and initiatives: Educational, Hai Tahd, Social, Athletic and Cultural. The AYF also promotes a fraternal attitude of respect for ideas and individuals amongst its membership. Unity and cooperation are essential traits that allow members of the organization to work together to realize the AYF’s objectives.


Armenpress: Armenian humanitarian aid convoy for Nagorno-Karabakh remains blocked by Azerbaijan

Shushan Frangulian

 22:05, 1 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. An Armenian humanitarian aid convoy for Nagorno-Karabakh remains blocked by Azerbaijan at the entrance of Lachin Corridor for already a week.

On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying over 360 tons of emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan refused to let the trucks through Lachin Corridor. Armenia requested the Russian peacekeepers to escort the goods. 

The trucks are stuck on the road in Kornidzor.

Vardan Sargsyan, a member of the Armenian government’s Humanitarian Crisis Management Working Group for Nagorno-Karabakh, told reporters in Kornidzor that there’s been an increasing level of concern and attention by the international community for the situation.

He said that the international community clearly understands that the deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh is real and that lives are in danger.

“We see statements and calls from the United States, various EU institutions, international human rights organizations, various French political parties. These statements very clearly call upon Azerbaijan to open the Lachin Corridor, which has been blocked for nearly eight months, and not impede the transport of humanitarian cargo,” Sargsyan told reporters.

Sargsyan also commented on the increasing cases of fainting in Nagorno-Karabakh among people waiting in breadlines for hours.

“There’s a severe shortage of food, medications and other essential goods, whereas our humanitarian aid consisting of nineteen trucks, which carry flour, other foodstuffs and medication, could contribute to avoiding such incidents there and meet their needs, however it remains [blocked] and the goods can’t reach their destination,” he added.

There’s been no response from the Russian peacekeepers either and the situation regarding the convoy remains the same.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

Asbarez: Calls for Sanctions Against Baku, Fact-Finding Mission to Artsakh Ring Out from EU

Shushan Frangulian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

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

A convoy of truck carrying humanitarian aid to Artsakh is not being allowed passage through the Lachin Corridor


As the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh caused by Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor intensifies calls for sanctions against Baku and the imperative for a fact-finding mission to Artsakh were amplified in various corners of the European Union.

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe called for the dispatch of a fact-finding mission to Karabakh, while more than 60 French lawmakers called on President Emmanuel Macron to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan.

“Given the further deterioration of the humanitarian and human rights situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, I recall the Assembly’s request of June 20, to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, to organize a fact-finding mission to Azerbaijan as early as possible, with the aim of assessing the situation where Armenians live and have been affected by the absence of free and safe access through the Lachin corridor since December 12 2022,” Tiny Box, the PACE President said in a statement on Monday.

“I join the call for dialogue voiced by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on July, 28 2023, and urge both Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Council of Europe member States, to finally live up to their mutual commitment, made on their accession in 1991, to de-escalate tension and restore peace between their countries,” Kox added.

In France, more than 60 legislators from both the National Assembly and the Senate penned a letter to Macron, which was published in the Le Monde newspaper, calling on the president to impose sanctions of Azerbaijan.

The effort, spearheaded by Gilbert-Luc Devinaz and Pierre Ouzoulias, wasco-signed by 59 other legislators.

“The Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are on the verge of disappearing,” warned the appeal from the French lawmakers. “Nagorno-Karabakh, which represents in the South Caucasus the values that we claim to embody, deserves more than indifferent attention. Its citizens deserve to be able to exercise their right to self-determination.”

“We ask Emmanuel Macron to impose sanctions against Ilham Aliyev and his regime, without any ramifications toward its people, so that the Armenians and Azerbaijanis will finally be able to coexist in a peaceful and fraternal atmosphere in the South Caucasus, where they live side by side,” the appeal added.

The lawmakers emphasized that the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh is trying not only to survive in the South Caucasus but also embodies the democratic values which France considers to be its own. The appeal also urged Macron that steps were needed to prevent ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan.

The chair of the German Bundestag’s foreign affairs committee, Michael Roth, also accused Azerbaijan of committing ethnic cleansing Artsakh.

“Azerbaijan is blocking humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. This is a violation of international law. Even if Nagorno-Karabakh is in Azerbaijan, it doesn’t justify ethnic cleansing. The EU and US must state their positions clearly. Armenia must not become Russia’s prey,” Roth said in a social media post.

Kidnapping of patient by Azerbaijan constitutes flagrant violation of international humanitarian law – Armenian MFA

Shushan Frangulian

 17:18,

YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian foreign ministry has described the kidnapping of a Nagorno-Karabakh patient by Azerbaijani border guards as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.”

“Troubled by news that 68-year-old patient, being transported from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia for medical treatment, accompanied by ICRC, was abducted at illegally installed checkpoint by border guard service of Azerbaijan. Abduction of person under international humanitarian protection is flagrant violation of IHL,” Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan tweeted.

A senior Armenian diplomat earlier that the whereabouts of the kidnapped patient remain unknown.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1116447.html?fbclid=IwAR2LkqTGgAMzUewFjV9QJN1j46iG-5HhCx9RnUHnPBJCvMsiWyxd98-oa6M