Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan Committee against Torture protests against Human Rights Watch’s report

Tatoyan Vazgen
POLITICS23 March 2021 20:33 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar.23

Trend:

The Azerbaijan Committee against Torture issued a statement protesting Human Rights Watch's claims that Azerbaijan allegedly does not treat prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, Trend reports.

"We regret to state that the latest report of this organization, which refers to the cruel treatment of Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, is biased and does not reflect reality. Representatives of the Azerbaijan Committee against Torture after the First Karabakh War and until now have repeatedly visited families who voluntarily crossed into the territory of Azerbaijan, as well as persons who surrendered by raising a white flag, captured military saboteurs and civilians, held individual meetings with them and inquired about the conditions of their treatment. We strongly declare that these prisoners of war were treated in full compliance with the requirements of the Geneva Conventions.

However, despite the fact that dozens of criminal cases were initiated in connection with torture, cruel and degrading treatment of Azerbaijani prisoners of war and hostages held in Armenia, many international organizations have closed and continue to close their eyes to these facts. Unfortunately, the Armenian side has repeatedly used torture, degrading treatment and punishment against Azerbaijani prisoners of war. For some reason, the organization that disseminates such biased statements is not interested in the footage of the torture of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, who were taken prisoner while visiting their native lands, as well as the video footage released by the Armenian side about torture and ill-treatment of Azerbaijani servicemen who were wounded and taken prisoner by the Armenians during the Second Karabakh War. Such organizations, covering up the crimes of the Armenian side and spreading slanderous information about Azerbaijan, serve the interests of Armenians and try to put pressure on our country," said the statement.

AEF Provides Job Training to Students in Armenia

Tatoyan Vazgen

March 25, 2021



AEF member and educator Alice Petrossian makes presentation to students in Armenia via Zoom.

Students all over the world can benefit from guidance and mentorship. To help better position its scholarship recipients in Armenia, the Armenian Educational Foundation made plans to ensure that proper training sessions are available to students in order to build new and necessary skills for successful employment and to increase their ability to find well-paying jobs.

The first training session this year was prepared and presented by Alice Petrossian (Los Angeles) with support from Mimi Zarookian (Yerevan). The Power Point presentation was translated into Armenian and distributed to the students. The training focused on branding, where students had the opportunity to learn about personal branding. During the informative sessions, students were encouraged to be more aware of what messages define them. They were provided with suggestions on how to be more confident while introducing themselves and their brand to the fullest without feeling it was self-praise. Students also learned how to set themselves apart from others in their field of expertise, and how to set goals and reach for success. All of the students were motivated and actively involved in the training process.

More than 100 students participated in AEF job training program

More than 100 students participated in the Zoom workshop, which spanned three different sessions to fully accommodate all participants. Although the majority of the participants were AEF scholarship recipients from Armenia and Artsakh, it is worth noting that more than 10 participating students were from Javakhk who are currently attending universities in Tbilisi.
Overall, students were very excited for the opportunity to learn from Mrs. Petrossian’s presentation and advice from Ms. Zarookian.

Due to COVID and the recent war in Artsakh, students have not been able to mingle with one another nor seek guidance from mentors. This session provided students with a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and interface in an online format. Other training sessions, scheduled in the upcoming months, will aim to discuss business planning, communication, CV/Resume writing, job interview readiness and other topics that will help our students obtain new and useful skills and help them in their future endeavors.

Nikol Pashinyan plans to again replace NSS chief – Mediaport –

Tatoyan Vazgen
Panorama, Armenia

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reportedly plans to dismiss Director of the National Security Service Armen Abazyan next week for his “failure to o fulfill Pashinyan's political orders and create grounds to isolate those who have created problems for him.”

"Judge of Lori Province Andranik Simonyan, whom Nikol Pashinyan appointed Deputy Director of the Investigative Committee yesterday, will be named as new Director of the National Security Service,” the Telegram channel Mediaport reported on Saturday, citing its sources.

According to the report, Simonyan is set to be appointed Deputy Director of the National Security Service on Monday and then assume the post of NSS Director.

“After Andranik Simonyan's appointment, a new round of political pressure will probably begin in Armenia,” Mediaport said

"This marks the 5th replacement of the National Security Service head during the three years of Nikol Pashinyan's premiership," it added. 

Artsakh’s President, Armenian FM exchange view on efforts to return Armenian POWs from Azerbaijan

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 19:55,

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan met with Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Ayvazian in Yerevan on March 25.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of Artsakh President’s Office, during the meeting a detailed reference was made to the measures aimed at solving the humanitarian and social-economic problems caused by the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh. In this context, the sides highlighted the smooth operation of international specialized institutions on the ground.

Discussing issues needing urgent solution, Arayik Harutyunyan and Ara Ayvazian exchanged views on the measures aimed at the repatriation of the Armenian war prisoners and civilian detainees, assessing Azerbaijan’s attempts to politicize that issue as inadmissible.  

The sides emphasized the necessity for a final solution to Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format. The right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and recognition of their rights for security for a fair solution of the conflict was emphasized.

Justice Minister favors proportional system without preferential voting

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 12:20,

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan says he believes that in the event of a consensus between political forces and the society, and if amendments to the Electoral Code would happen as quickly as possible, then there won’t be any obstacles for the early elections expected on June 20th to be held in a “clean” proportional system.

“We will express our stance,” he said when asked by reporters on the government’s stance over the matter. “But I think that for a long time the position among political forces, the civil society, or the majority of our public, in my opinion is that the preferential voting system isn’t the most convenient one for Armenia,” Badasyan said, adding that the ranked-voting system was considered to be a “concealed” majoritarian one for many years. He spoke in favor of a “clean” proportional system, noting that it is more political and is contributing to the establishment of political debates.

Badasyan reminded that parliament introduced into circulation a new electoral code, which has been submitted to the Venice Commission.

He said he believes a solution will take place soon.

Speaking about a consensus among political forces and the society, he said: “I think, in the event of the amendments taking place as quickly as possible, there won’t be any obstacle for the June 20 early elections to be held under a clean proportional system, with party lists.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Prime Minister says Lt. General Artak Davtyan’s appointment as army chief is coming into force

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 09:26,

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued a statement stating that Lt. General Artak Davtyan is now officially assuming the office of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces by virtue of law.

He said the appointment is coming into force pursuant to Article 139 paragraph 3 of the Constitution and Article 35,1 paragraph 6 of the Law on Military Service and Status of Servicemen, given that the President did neither approve nor apply to the constitutional court when he was petitioned to appoint Davtyan.

When the PM first requested to appoint Davtyan, President Sarkissian – who has to sign the order to formalize it – rejected it with objections. The PM didn't accept the objections and re-sent the motion. 

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Asbarez: Barger Urges Support for Congressional Measure on Release of Armenian POWs, Captives

Tatoyan Vazgen



LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger

LOS ANGELES COUNTY—Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion to be heard by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 23 asking the Board to support H.Res. 240, a Congressional resolution calling on Azerbaijan to release approximately 200 prisoners of war and civilians who are currently detained as a result of the 2020 war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Artsakh.

“I commend the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and Congressman Adam Schiff for introducing this resolution to immediately redress the tragic circumstances prisoners of war and innocent civilians are enduring,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.

“When this conflict began, we stood with our Armenian brothers and sisters to ask Azerbaijan to immediately end its dangerous military aggression in Artsakh. The Armenian community deserves peace and we must join in any efforts supporting their resilience and strength.”

In part, the House Resolution calls out the Government of Azerbaijan, which has detained an estimated 200 Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and civilians and continues to misrepresent their status to keep these individuals imprisoned. The Resolution further notes that “Human Rights Watch reported in December 2020 that Azerbaijani military forces had mistreated ethnic Armenian prisoners of war and subjected them to physical abuse and humiliation.”

The Congressional resolution was authored by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, including California representatives Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena), David G. Valadao (R-California), and Jackie Speier (D-California). The House Resolution asks Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians and asks the Secretary of State to engage with Azerbaijani officials to enforce the importance of adhering to the obligations and commitments of international law.

Los Angeles County is home to the largest population of Armenians outside of Armenia. Supervisor Barger and her colleagues in Los Angeles County continue to support the Armenian community through advocacy and increased awareness of their history.

Armenian FM praises ties with Sweden

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 12:14,

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Sweden are united with relations based on mutual respect and the vision of raising these ties to a qualitatively new level, Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian told his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde, who is the incumbent OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and is in Yerevan on a visit.

“Today’s meeting was a good opportunity to address the potential of cooperation in various sectors and to outline the joint actions for fully utilizing it. The active work of ambassadors and embassies has special role in this process,” Aivazian said at a joint press conference, welcoming the opening of Sweden’s resident embassy in Armenia.

“We highly appreciate Sweden’s support in the realization of reforms agenda in Armenia,” the Armenian FM said.

Linde is also scheduled to meet with President Sarkissian and Prime Minister Pashinyan.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Sports: Judo: Proud Armenian Ferdinand Karapetian in the race for Tokyo

Tatoyan Vazgen
Judo Inside
March 9 2021

PROUD ARMENIAN FERDINAND KARAPETIAN IN THE RACE FOR TOKYO

9 Mar 2021 17:35

 By Lusine Shahbazyan and JudoInside    

Ferdinand Karapetian of Armenia won the European senior title in 2018 in Tel Aviv. This weekend he showed his best judo with beautiful scores at the Grand Slam in Tashkent. Karapetian is maybe a lonely wolf, fighting in different countries as one of the few Armenian fighters. He travel by himself and trains in as many countries as possible if corona allows.

Karapetian (28) also competed for Russia in his early days where he won national medals as senior and U23. Later he took medals at European Cup level (Dubrovnik 2016) and moved up to medals at European Open level (Minsk 2017). Ferdinand took a bronze medal at the Grand Slam in Düsseldorf in 2018 and was in the final of Ekaterinburg in 2018.

Last weekend he was even twice in the Top 10 best ippons of JudoInside’s partner Judoheroes. Have a look at that video. He destroyed Rustam Orujov with a huge takeover. The victory over the Azeri in the quarter final was fundamental for Karapetian. In the semifinals, the Armenian athlete lost to Zhansay Smagulov from Kazakhstan but was able to win the bronze medal against Guillaume Chaine.Ferdinand Karapetian is the only Armenian judo champion who has a chance to win a ticket to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. “In the first rating tournament of the season, I did not achieve success, as I entered the tatami after a long break and injuries," he noted. After Tel Aviv, he took part in the tournament, which was held in Tashkent.

"I prepared very well for this tournament and won a medal," he said. "As an athlete, I must somehow inspire my people. Thanks to these victories, we can get back on our feet and look ahead. I am glad that with this victory I was able to please my people a little," he reacted.

Newspaper: Armenia PM promises to resign on Tuesday or Wednesday?

Tatoyan Vazgen
News.am, Armenia
March 9 2021
09:49, 09.03.2021

YEREVAN. – Past daily of Armenia writes: These days, the focus of internal political events is the well-known statement of Armed Forces General Staff chief Onik Gasparyan and dozens of other high-ranking officers demanding the resignation of [PM] Nikol Pashinyan.

According to Past newspaper’s information, in separate meetings, including with military circles, Nikol Pashinyan promised to resign on March 9 or 10, after which snap [parliamentary] elections shall be organized.

According to the newspaper's sources, Nikol Pashinyan actually assured that on March 9, when Onik Gasparyan's dismissal decision will come into force, and when, in fact, he [Pashinyan] will not see any danger from the army, he will resign and hold snap [parliamentary] elections in May.

However, neither the general nor the political and analytical circles believe, to put it mildly, Pashinyan.

On the other hand, the prevailing opinion is that if snap elections are held by these authorities, an unprecedented amount of administrative resources will be used, and the election results will be falsified.