Author: Suren Karakhanian

 10:53,

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. A former convict applied to the Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman, noting that he had been homeless for days after his release from the penitentiary and asked for the Ombudsman’s assistance in resolving the issue, the Ombudsman’s Office told Armenpress.

As a result of the effective cooperation between the Ombudsman’s staff and the Ministry of Labor, Social and Housing Affairs, the relevant documents of the citizen were quickly prepared and he settled in the nursing home of Stepanakert.

With the Human Rights Ombudsman's intervention, the payment of the person's pension was also resumed, which was suspended for several months due to procedural issues.

Artsakh

 13:06,

YEREVAN, JULY 23, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Artsakh Masis Mayilyan addressed a congratulatory message on the 27^th anniversary of the foundation of the Artsakh MFA, the ministry told Armenpress.

The message runs as follows:

“July 23 marks the 27th anniversary of the foundation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh. And although the date is not a jubilee, however, following the established tradition, I would like to congratulate sincerely the staff of the Central Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Artsakh abroad, as well as all those that in different years have worked in the structure of the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh and contributed to its formation and to the protection of the interests of our state and its citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh was established in a fateful period for our people – in the midst of the military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the young independent state – and immediately assumed the most difficult mission of defending the vital interests of the country, including negotiating with official Baku aimed at ceasing the hostilities and ensuring the security of our citizens. It should be noted that thanks to the victories of the Defense Army of Artsakh and our diplomatic efforts, the mission on forcing Azerbaijan to peace was successfully fulfilled – in May 1994, under the mediation of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia signed a termless ceasefire agreement. Unfortunately, over the past years, due to the destructive position and outright hostility of the top military-political leadership of Azerbaijan, the ceasefire has not been transformed into a lasting and sustainable peace.

Today, in the conditions of the ongoing confrontation with the authorities of Baku, which in tandem with Turkey are pursuing an outright hate policy against Armenians, the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh faces no less important and responsible tasks. In accordance with the Program of President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunian for 2020-2025, the priority directions of the foreign policy include the international recognition of our state, the peaceful settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict, the development and deepening of the Republic's international relations, the counteraction to any attempts to isolate it, the further strengthening of the trinity of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, which will collectively create favorable conditions for the progressive political and social-economic development of Artsakh. The tasks, I should repeat, are responsible, but I’d like to state confidently that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh, as an established state institution, in close cooperation with Armenia and the Diaspora, will use its full potential for their successful implementation, for addressing the current serious challenges, and properly presenting our state in the international arena.

Once again, I congratulate the staff of the diplomatic service of the Republic of Artsakh on this significant date and wish everyone peace and prosperity, good luck and success in their professional activities”.

 10:41,

YEREVAN, JULY 17, ARMENPRESS. American-Armenian reality TV superstar Kim Kardashian West once again expressed her support for Armenia on the background of the recent escalation of tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Kim Kardashain called on Senators and Representatives to support Armenia.

“Despite an ongoing global pandemic, Azerbaijan has violated the UN’s appeal for global ceasefire against the Republic of Armenia. Civilian structures in Armenia have been targeted, and Azerbaijan has now threatened to bomb the nuclear power plant in Armenia”, Kim Kardashian said on an Instagram story.

She noted that in the meantime, the US congressional amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act will be voted on next week to ensure that the US does not enable Azerbaijan with military aid that would be used against Armenia and Artsakh.

“The international community needs to pay attention and intervene now with such political and diplomatic measures to prevent unnecessary escalation and the loss of human life.

I stand with my fellow Armenians and pray for those that are involved in recent tensions on the border of the country”, Kim Kardashian said.

She urged for a peaceful resolution during this already very difficult pandemic.

“Please call on your Senators and Representatives to support Armenia”, Kardashian said.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

A historic step, solution to CC crisis: Judge Vahe Grigoryan on constitutional amendments

 10:18,

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. Judge of the Constitutional Court of Armenia Vahe Grigoryan says the adoption of the Constitutional amendments by the Parliament, according to which the President of the Court and three judges who served 12 years are being replaced, is a courageous and historic step and is solving the crisis around the Court.

“I think this is a solution to the crisis around the Constitutional Court. And I definitely welcome this step of the Parliament. This has been a courageous step for various reasons, I think this has been a historic step because by making these changes the Parliament for the first time donated this change to the highest court – the Constitutional Court, with this highlighting the Court’s importance in Armenia’s public administration system and viewing it as a major crisis which needs to be solved”, the judge told reporters today outside the Constitutional Court.

He said there are currently 6 judges in the Court.

On June 22 the Armenian Parliament adopted the Constitutional amendments bill which proposes to replace the Constitutional Court President and CC judges who have served no less than 12 years in their position.

The bill was passed unanimously with 89 votes in favor.

With the adoption of the bill, the tenures of Constitutional Court Judges Alvina Gyulumyan, Feliks Tokhyan and Hrant Nazaryan were suspended, while the current President of the Court Hrayr Tovmasyan will continue serving as Constitutional Court member.

The bill has been drafted by more than 50 MPs of the ruling My Step faction.

The Constitutional amendments have already entered into force. Three new judges of the Court must be elected within two months.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 11:36,

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Boris Johnson on the occasion of Queen’s Birthday, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The message reads, in part:

“I warmly congratulate you and the friendly people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the occasion of Queen’s Birthday.

Armenia is eager to develop and further strengthen friendly ties with the United Kingdom, expand cooperation on bilateral and multilateral platforms.

I am hopeful that as anchored on deep-rooted affinities and shared values, the Armenian-British relations will continue to develop and expand, complemented by new future-oriented programs of mutual interest.

I wish Your Excellency robust health and fruitful activity, as well as progress and prosperity – to the friendly people of the United Kingdom.”