Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

Justice minister comments on some statements over changes in Constitutional Court

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 13:03,

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. Justice Minister of Armenia Rustam Badasyan commented on some statements over the recent changes in the Constitutional Court.

“The claims according to which the changes to the Constitution should enter into force only after the change to the constitutional law on the Constitutional Court, have nothing to do with the reality.

Those political forces, which are trying to create an artificial agenda, are incapable of undermining the leadership’s programs in any way, these are meaningless attempts.

Yesterday, one of the most ridiculous incidents was registered in the political history of Armenia: they decided that if “few votes” are lacking, it is possible to “slightly round” the number, which proves the level of this fight.

The Constitutional amendments have entered into force, the powers of three judges of the Court, as well as the power of Hrayr Tovmasyan as President of the Court are suspended”, the minister said on Facebook.

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

Armenian Parliament approves 2019 state budget performance annual report

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 14:26,

YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament approved the annual report of the performance of the 2019 state budget.

74 MPs voted in favor, 9 voted against the document which has been submitted by the government.

Earlier today head of the opposition Bright Armenia faction Edmon Marukyan informed that they would vote against the report.

The opposition Prosperous Armenia faction didn’t attend the session.

 

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Erdoğan trying to intimidate Committees of Defense of Armenian Cause

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 20:01,

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chaired a five-hour high-level meeting with his advisory board to discuss how to organize a crackdown on the civil activism that advocates for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. First and foremost, Erdoğan aims at targeting and intimidating the Committees of the Defense of the Armenian Cause (ANCs) across the globe that have been effectively advocating for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide for decades, using the instruments of civic activism, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD). 

 The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) addressed a statement to the European institutions, including the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the  Council of Europe, urging them to undertake concrete steps in order to stop the dangerous xenophobic policy of the Turkish authorities, directed against the activists of the Armenian cause.
 
“This meeting is in fact the logical continuation of Erdogan’s statement in May this year  where  he threatened to fight against the “Armenian lobby” which certainly includes in particular the committees of the Defense of the Armenian Cause worldwide (ANCs). It comes to prove once again that unfortunately the denial of the Armenian Genocide and the incitement of hatred against Armenians are a state policy in Turkey,” said the EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian.
 
Karampetian further elaborated: “Now Erdogan’s government officially and openly decided to carry out a state policy of intimidation against those who advocate for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide worldwide. The Turkish authorities should know by now that intimidation against the activists of the Armenian Cause has never worked in the past, neither will it work in the future. This only gives a strong impetus to be even more active and continue joining our efforts in our pursuit of justice. This meeting however shows the true colours of Erdogan’s government once again and how far it can go to. The recognition, condemnation of the Armenian Genocide as well as reparations are a matter of global justice. Turkey has no chance but come to terms with its past – something that has been demanded by the parliaments of dozens of countries worldwide as well as by the European Parliament.”




IDBank reduced interest rates on Student loans in the framework of state-financed special program

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 16:07,

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS. From now on, those students studying for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the RA state or RA state accredited Universities, as well as clinical residency students, can enjoy privileged terms on Student loans: the annual nominal interest rate on Student loans will be 6-7% (the actual annual interest rate is 9,38%). The interest rate for the provided loan is 9%, of which the state subsidizes 2% for all students, and 3% for students who have made excellent progress in the previous academic year).

As a result the interest rate that should be paid is 6.38-7.38%. The new terms for provision of Student loans apply to loans already provided and those to be provided. IDBank is also participating in the government's programs to neutralize the economic consequences of the Coronavirus.

From May 1 to December 31, within the framework of the 14th program of the Government of the Republic of Armenia "Neutralization of Economic Consequences of Coronavirus", the interest rates on Student loans will be subsidized by the state in full or by 5%, depending on progress.

Details about the terms of Student loans are available on the Bank's official .

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1016611.html?fbclid=IwAR16z7xHh-QI8tihlMI9mwRcWihhqTn0WowVmjoo1RsW9zFlvxdBL3w0ZTI

Asbarez: Governor Newsom Denies Sassounian Parole

Tatoyan Vazgen

Hampig Sassounian

Despite a recommendation in December by the Board of Parole in favor of Hampig Sassounian’s suitability, Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday rejected that decision and denied his parole, saying in a lengthy decision that while he acknowledged the steps Sassounian had taken over decades to rehabilitate himself, he did not believe Sassounian to be fit for release.

“I commend Mr. Sassounian for his rehabilitative efforts in prison, but I find they are outweighed by negative factors that show he remains unsuitable for parole at this time,” said Newsom in his letter obtained by Asbarez on Tuesday.

“I believe that Mr. Sassounian has not yet demonstrated that he has developed and sustained the necessary insight and skills for a sufficiently long period. In particular, I am concerned that Mr. Sassounian has continued to underestimate the vigilance that is required of him, now and in the future, to consistently conduct himself in a manner that promotes the rule of law and avoids fomenting violence, even inadvertently,” added Newsom.

“After reviewing and considering the evidence in the record, I believe that Mr. Sassounian must do additional work before he can be safely released. Accordingly, I find that he still poses an unreasonable danger to society if released and I reverse the Board’s decision to parole Mr. Sassounian,” Newsom concluded in his letter.

“We are extremely disappointed in Gov. Newsom’s decision to reject the recommendation of the Parole Board and choose to deny Hampig Sassounian the freedom he deserves,” the Hampig Sassounian Defense Committee told Asbarez soon after the governor’s decision was published.

“Throughout the decades that he has spent in prison, Hampig has taken every conceivable step to rehabilitate himself and has been a model prisoner, a fact that the governor himself acknowledges in his decision,” added the Hampig Sassounian Defense Committee. “We hope that, like in previous instances, the governor was not swayed by pressure from the Turkish  government, which used the White House to do its bidding.”

“We are concerned that unjustified arguments have received greater consideration than the governor’s record on human rights and the experience we anticipated from the governor,” the Defense Committee told Asbarez, adding that it will continue its efforts to seek other avenues for Sassounia’s release.

In 2016, Sassounian was granted parole only to see it be rejected in 2017 by then governor Jerry Brown, who cited letters he had received from then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Attorney General Jeff Sessions opposing the parole.

Sassounian has been serving a life sentence when he was convicted in 1984 for the 1982 murder of Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles Kemal Arikan. In 2002 a federal appeals court overturned a special circumstances finding in his sentence, making Sassounian eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 25 years. Sassounian has now served 38 years. Sassounian will be eligible for parole in 18 months.

Senator Pat Dodson affirms support for Australian recognition of Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides

Tatoyan Vazgen
Public Radio of Armenia

Prominent Aboriginal leader Senator Pat Dodson has signed an Affirmation of Support backing the Joint Justice Initiative for national recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides.

The February 2020 launch of the Joint Justice Initiative at Australia’s Parliament House featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) and Australian Hellenic Council (AHC), which declares Australia’s recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides as a priority on behalf of their communities.

Elected to the Federal Senate in 2016, Dodson’s pre-parliamentary career included various roles defending the human rights of indigenous Australians, including as Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and Commissioner into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

In February 2020, the Western Australian met a Joint Justice Initiative delegation of advocates representing Armenian-Australians, Assyrian-Australians and Greek-Australians. In May, he signed the Affirmation of Support.

“Senator Pat Dodson has an unimpeachable record in defence of the human rights of indigenous Australians, and we are honoured to have his support as we strive for Australian recognition of the genocides committed by Ottoman Turkey against the region’s indigenous Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks,” said Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) Executive Director, Haig Kayserian.

The Joint Justice Initiative has so far announced the support of Dodson, Jason Falinski MP, Josh Burns MP, John Alexander MP, Senator Andrew Bragg and Bob Katter MP, with a promise of more announcements to come.

On 25th February 2020, over 100 Federal Australian parliamentarians, diplomats, departmental officials, political staffers, academics, media and community leaders were treated to cultural performances, food, wine and brandy, as well as the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which affirmed that the signatory public affairs representatives of the three communities were jointly committed to seeing Australia recognize the Turkish-committed Genocide against the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian citizens of the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

Turkey Condemns Czech Parliament Resolution on Armenian Genocide

Tatoyan Vazgen
Prague Morning, Czech Republic

BY PRAGUE MORNING
MAY 23, 2020

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has called the Czech Senate resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide “null and void.”

“The fact that the decision was taken in an environment with few members in the Senate at a time when the whole world was struggling with the coronavirus pandemic reveals the insidious mentality behind it,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said, “it is not possible to impose more than a historical discussion on the events of 1915, as determined by Articles 173 and 231 of the 2015 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, which was repeated by the second decision in 2017.”

“Attempts to define a historical issue in the interests of politics and certain groups are unacceptable,” it said.

“We call on those who want to present a one-sided view of history to consider President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s letter that expresses an understanding of sharing the common grief sent to Turkey’s Armenian Patriarch on the occasion of April 24.

“We invite the Czech Parliament to respect the provisions of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, international court decisions and the historical and current sources of international law,” it said.

It noted that Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said the decision does not reflect the attitude of the Czech government.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry welcomed the adoption of the resolution, noting that the unanimous decision of the Czech Senate is a “major contribution to the restoration of historical justice and respect for the memory of the victims.”

“It is also a key message in preventing genocides and new crimes against humanity,” the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said.

In April 2017 the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament had approved a resolution, condemning the genocide of Armenians and other religious and national minorities in the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

Turkey objects to presenting the 1915 incidents as “genocide,” rather calling them a tragedy in which both Turks and Armenians suffered casualties in the heat of World War I.

Turkey’s position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with the invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia as well as international experts to examine the issue.

Music: How Macha Gharibian incorporates the music of Armenia to create her own special sound

Tatoyan Vazgen
The Hindu, India
May 6 2020
How Macha Gharibian incorporates the music of Armenia to create her own special sound
 Ruth Dhanaraj

May 06, 2020 15:07 IST

Updated: May 06, 2020 15:07 IST 

Ruth Dhanaraj

May 06, 2020 15:07 IST

Updated: May 06, 2020 15:07 IST

It would not be too far off the mark to say Macha Gharibian’s mixed heritage is one of the reasons for the unusual tones in her music. With an Armenian father and Italian mother, Macha who was born and brought up in France, has been making a name for herself in world music.

“My father had his own band in the 70s and I grew up listening to them, seeing them rehearse,” says the artiste who studied classical music for more than 20 years.

“I used to dream of becoming a classical pianist, until I went to New York where I discovered jazz,” she laughs, adding, “That’s how I began to search for my voice as a musician.”

For her perfomance in Bengaluru at Windmills Craftworks, Macha was accompanied by Dre Pallemaerts on the drums and David Potaux Razel on the electric guitar. Happy coincidence brought the trio together.

“When we met in 2008, we realised David’s father played the violin with my father for more than 40 years. So it was a sort of family connection,” says Macha.

They recorded her first album Mars in 2012. She was already acquainted with Dre and the trio released her second album, Trans Extended, in 2016.

Every piece on the album will give listeners an idea of Balkan music and more than a hint of modern jazz. According to Macha, the music of Armenia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey is region-specific, differentiated by the way scales are played.

Dre is Flemish and David is a Frenchman; Macha is their only reference to Armenia.

Macha feels both Dre and David are able to capture an inherent Armenian sound because they are non-natives. “They experience something and interpret it in their own way which makes our music so distinct. I could have worked with a traditional musician, but it would have just been a copy of traditional music,” she says.

Some traditional instruments used in Armenian music are the ‘zurna,’ similar to an oboe and the duduk, which is a woodwind instrument. “I love traditional music. When I hear the zurna, which has a very specific sound, I just want to dance. There is something tribalistic about it that energises you, speaks to your soul,” she says.

Macha admits their music is something like, ‘a special recipe,’ and credits Ralph Alessi, director of School for Improvisational Music in NY and other teachers there such as Jason Moran and Ravi Coltrane for helping her find her own voice.

“I saw them playing their own music — they were not imitating their role models. It is a part of the learning process to make your own signature sound. As you get older, you don’t want to sound like others, you want to sound like you,” she laughs.

“David has his own sound as a guitarist and that is what inspired me; I wanted to play with him.”

“Our music is something we create together and neither of us can take credit for it; it is a collaboration,” says David, who has been to India in the past, travelling extensively to absorb various facets of classical music and dance.

Dre visited Dharamsala in 2014 with the band Octurn. “We worked on an album called Tantric College where we recorded the puja music at a Tibetan monastery there, adding the sound of drums, keyboards and the sax to traditonal instruments used in worship.”

It is no wonder their exposure to various world cultures reflects in their work.

Macha is candid about her aspirations. “I cannot claim to master this music. I am just mixing my classical background, my experiences with jazz and my love for harmony as a pianist to make something unique,” she admits.

“That is what modern jazz is about — it brings different people together and everybody interprets it in their own way. It is this energy that makes jazz so different from other genres of music,” adds Dre.

For David, the idea of music is much simpler and complex at the same time. “There is a curious fascination to meet and learn from people of different cultures. It would be great to have more fusion music from South America and Africa.”

The trio played in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Pune and Goa during their visit to India.


Artsakh Ombudsman: Rights of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan violated by international community

Tatoyan Vazgen
News.am, Armenia
May 7 2020

12:21, 07.05.2020