Nine employees of Gyumri libraries will be discharged.
The reason is that the library optimization process has started. Gyumri municipality’s “Ani” library community non-profit organization will pass to the balance sheet of school N 11 in Gyumri. As a result, employees will be deprived of their jobs and an alternative will be offered for them.
President Tump appoints Patrick Hovakimian to serve in Justice Department
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump has nominated Patrick Hovakimian to serve as a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the Justice Department, for the remainder of a three-year term expiring September 30, 2020.
As the release issued by the White House reads, the nomination comes as part of key additions administration posts.
To note, Patrick Hovakimian serves as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, where he investigates and prosecutes public corruption and white-collar crime. Previously, he practiced law with the international law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP, and clerked on the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He holds a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School, where he studied as a Truman Scholar and was a member of the Stanford Law Review; a Master of Philosophy from Oxford, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar; and a Bachelor of Arts, conferred summa cum laude, from Occidental College. Mayor Kevin Faulconer appointed him to the Human Relations Commission in 2016.
Dominique de Buman (center) head of Switzerland’s legislature visits Dzidzernagapert on Tuesday
YEREVAN—The leader of the Swiss parliament, Dominique de Buman, who is visiting Armenia, on Tuesday said that the people of Artsakh have the right to choose their own destiny “like all other peoples of the world.”
Speaking at a press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ara Babloyan, the speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly, de Buman also pointed out that Armenia declared independence at a time of a major ethnic conflict when issues of territorial integrity and people’s right to self-determination were front and center.
“This issue should be resolved exclusively within the framework of negotiations, taking into account the UN conventions, the right of peoples to self-determination, together with representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh have the right to choose their destiny, like all other peoples, only in this way can peace and stability be achieved in the region,” de Buman said.
The Swiss leader also said that any ceasefire violation must be registered, documented and presented to international organizations so they can, in turn, influence such processes if necessary.
“We are witnessing armed escalations all over the world, and such mechanisms must operate everywhere to stop declaration of war in a particular region,” de Buman said.
On the Karabakh conflict resolution process, Babloyan said that the priority for Armenia was the preservation of human rights and justice and reiterated Armenia’s position that the conflict be resolved through peaceful negotiations under the OSCE Minsk Group.
The Swiss leader also reflected on his country’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He then praised Armenia’s willingness to take part in the Turkey-Armenia Protocols process, lamenting, however, that the provisions of the document has not been implemented.
“Switzerland can only regret that these protocols have not come into force, however, I am sure that through peaceful negotiations and discussions, it is possible to achieve mutual understanding,” de Buman said, emphasizing that despite the blockade, Armenia has shown potential for economic growth.
Earlier in the day, de Buman visited the Dzidzernagapert Memorial Monument and Museum, where he laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
He also signed the memory book in which he said that he is impressed by the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, and is proud of the bill on recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the National Council of the Swiss Confederation on December 16, 2003.
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
LISBON—The Armenian Communities department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation enthusiastically welcomed a decision of SIL International to issue Western Armenian its own ISO code: HYW.
This decision has a direct bearing on the revitalization of Western Armenian. It allows this branch of the language to be uniquely identified in information systems and databases, enabling software engineers to develop electronic tools specific to Western Armenian.
For example, the creation of Wikipedia, online translation services and dictionaries in Western Armenian will be greatly facilitated, not to mention the research undertaken by linguists, ethnographers and other experts.
The ISO code confers, moreover, international recognition to Western Armenian as a distinct language branch which is important to advocate for online services and programmes provided by corporations in the field of information technologies.
“We are so pleased to see our collaboration with Wikimedia Armenia bear such an important result,” said Razmik Panossian, the Director of the Armenian Communities department at the Foundation. “We worked on the submission process together, and received invaluable support from international experts and prominent intellectuals, resulting in a very strong application.”
The code was made available for use on January 23.
Archbishop Aram Ateshian (left) has been creating obstacles for Istanbul Patriarchate Lcoum Tenens Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian (right)
ISTANBUL—The Istanbul Governor, after months of delays, finally announced its official rejection of Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian, who was elected the Patriarchal Locum Tenens during a March 2017 religious council meeting, further exacerbating the process of electing a patriarch, which has been marred by interference by Archbishop Aram Ateshian, who refused to step down as the Vicar-General following the Locum Tenens elections.
The letter from the Istanbul Governor’s office also asserted that the Turkish authorities did not recognize Bekdjian but saw Ateshian as the legitimate Vicar-General of the Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate.
Furthermore, the Istanbul Governor’s office has notified the Patriarchate that the only criteria for a patriarchal election are the death of the sitting patriarch, resignation or the vacancy of the position for other reasons. The governor’s office also stated that the Patriarch Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, who has been incapacitated for years due to dementia, is the recognized leader of the Istanbul Patriarchate and his illness does not meet the state criteria for electing a new patriarch.
Thus, the governor’s office stated that it cannot accept any appeal or letter sent by Archbishop Bekdjian, since it does not recognize him as the legitimate leader of the institution, despite the fact that he was elected by the religious council currently in place at the Patriarchate.
Last March, the governor’s office sent a letter to the Patriarchate saying that the election of locum tenens and the entire process of preparing for the election of a patriarch were not recognized by the Istanbul Governor. This initial rejection was presented by Ateshian at the meeting, which elected Bekdjian, after Ateshian did not receive the necessary votes to remain in the leadership of the Patriarchate.
The government’s intervention in the patriarchal election process has been at the center of controversy for the Istanbul Armenian community and has prompted Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament to call for an investigation by the legislature into the government overreach into the Armenian community’s issues.
AGBU Press Office 55 East 59th Street New York, NY 10022-1112 Website: www.agbu.org PRESS RELEASE Tuesday, February 6, 2018 RETREAT LAUNCHES INSPIRING CONVERSATION ON ARMENIAN SPIRITUALITY AGBU WELCOMES NEW INITIATIVE INSPIRED BY THE AGBU FOCUS CONFERENCE 2017 Over 30 young professionals from across the United States gathered in New York from February 3 to 4 for a thought-provoking retreat on the Armenian faith and spirituality. The topic, along with issues related to human rights and women's empowerment, was raised by participants of the inaugural AGBU FOCUS conference last summer as an area of interest. "One of the takeaways from this past summer's international conference was that we could leverage the AGBU network to continue thought-provoking conversations. This urban retreat aimed to create a safe environment for young professionals to learn more about Armenian spirituality through our history, culture music and traditions and facilitate our generation's spiritual journey." said mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian who convened the retreat together with Michelle Nahabedian and journalist Lara Setrakian. The retreat explored the Armenian faith from various perspectives, ranging from monastic educational traditions and heritage to personal journeys and Christian meditation. Moderated by Setrakian, the retreat featured Father Daniel Findikyan, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Center; Eric Vozzy, a deacon at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral; Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nerses Armenian Seminary, and Father Mersrop Parsamyan, the director of ministries at the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Father Findikyan identified one of the challenges for the continuation of Armenian religious education in the diaspora, exploring the decline of Armenian monasteries in the Ottoman Empire and how it affected the modern-day Armenian theological instruction. "The Armenian monasteries were the theological engines of the Armenian church. They were the intellectual engines of the Armenian people," said Findikyan stressing that monasteries provided a network of religious scholars who kept a dialogue with the communities and maintained the continuity of traditions. Intrigued by Findikyan's speech, attendees posed important questions on youth involvement, church modernization and creationism. The retreat also served as an open forum for personal sharing and created an opportunity for attendees to explore otherwise new topics. Dr. Roberta Ervine notably spoke about six noble women from the historical Armenian Kingdom of Syunik who channeled their faith into action and supported the construction of several monasteries, some of which became jewels of Armenian architecture. Participants were treated to a short meditation session with Fr. Parsamyan, who presented the basic techniques of Christian meditation and offered his insight on the topic. "The forum provided participants an opportunity to share their spiritual journeys and make suggestions on ways of bringing the Armenian church closer to youth," said Merdinian. "It is the beginning of continued opportunities for such discussion and contemplation." Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians around the world. For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit www.agbu.org.
Սիրելի ընթերցող,
Կցուած կրնաք գտնել «Զարթօնք»ի այսօրուայ թիւը ՝
Շնորհակալ ենք, որ ընտրած էք «Զարթօնք»
կարդալ:
Սիրով՝
«ԶԱՐԹՕՆՔ»ի
Խմբագրութիւն
FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=ME1Zj9maScJar2bUOR8PKDxKFTkl6fVUGHt-EEgYzqk&e=
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief
=================================================
Tuesday 6 February 2018
AZERBAIJAN: SUFIS RAIDED, INITIAL FINE, PROTESTANTS RAIDED
Sufi Muslim Rashad Abidov was fined in Sheki for hosting a religious
meeting raided by police, but managed to overturn the fine on appeal.
Police raided Star in the East Pentecostal Church in Gyanja during Sunday
worship. Police phoned the schools of children present. Fines might follow.
AZERBAIJAN: SUFIS RAIDED, INITIAL FINE, PROTESTANTS RAIDED
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2350&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=5Lo0CFSxsf5gMAREqaug81CE69xunt_pIJ0TMbNZOlQ&e=
By Felix Corley, Forum 18
In December 2017, Sufi Muslim Rashad Abidov, whose home in the northern
town of Sheki was raided by police during a religious meeting, managed to
overturn the large fine handed down for holding a meeting without state
permission. Police had brought the case rather than officials of the State
Committee for Work with Religious Organisations.
On 28 January 2018, police raided a Sunday worship service of a Protestant
church in Azerbaijan's second city Gyanja. Police phoned the schools of
children present at the service. Fines might follow (see below).
On 31 January, Azerbaijan's Constitutional Court in the capital Baku wrote
to Baptist pastor Hamid Shabanov in Aliabad in the northern Zakatala
[Zaqatala] District to tell him it would not be considering his further
appeal against a large fine for meeting for worship without state
permission handed down in December 2016. Pastor Shabanov - a former
prisoner of conscience - must now pay the fine of more than three months'
average wages for those in formal work. Another Baptist from the same
church, Mehman Agamammadov, has now paid all three instalments of his fine.
Their Baptist church in Aliabad has been seeking registration - in vain -
since 1994. Police and state officials have warned church members not to
meet. "If we meet again for worship, we'll get double the fine," Pastor
Shabanov told Forum 18 officials had warned them (see below).
Strict controls
The government imposes severe controls on who is allowed to meet for
worship and where. All religious communities must have state registration
before they can legally function. However, many communities (like the
Baptist church in Aliabad) are arbitrarily denied such registration. Muslim
communities outside the framework of the state-backed Muslim Board are
banned, although this is not enshrined in any law (see Forum 18's
Azerbaijan religious freedom survey
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2081&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=V4c1FV4QEW_JAD9joW7CwvKFJnyG_BNGaIJL6VYuiAI&e=>).
Fines are typically 1,500 Manats (6,900 Norwegian Kroner, 715 Euros or 890
US Dollars). This represents nearly three months' average wages for those
with a formal job. However, for those in rural areas, those without a
formal job, or pensioners, such fines represent a far heavier financial
burden.
Officials from the police, State Security Service (SSS) secret police,
State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations, and Religious
Affairs Commissions attached to city or district administrations frequently
raid meetings for worship and help punish those exercising their right to
freedom of religion or belief (see F18News 18 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2343&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=1uKTiLL7k_c1_DDjrX7CU14EgivgZ0LFaxGVPOHSUso&e=>).
Criminal prosecutions
These raids come as prisoner of conscience Imam Serdar Babayev is
challenging his three-year prison term handed down in July 2017 to punish
him for leading services in a Shia Muslim mosque after gaining his
religious education abroad. His first appeal failed in September 2017 (see
F18News 18 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2343&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=1uKTiLL7k_c1_DDjrX7CU14EgivgZ0LFaxGVPOHSUso&e=>).
The Supreme Court in
the capital Baku is due to begin hearing his latest appeal on the morning
of 13 February (see forthcoming F18News article).
Another prisoner of conscience, Shia Muslim Taleh Bagirov, is facing a
further criminal case. His trial at Baku's Qaradag District Court began on
6 February on charges of illegally having memory cards with the Koran and
Koranic-related material while in prison. The trial is due to resume on the
morning of 13 February, his lawyer Javad Javadov told Forum 18 from Baku on
6 February (see forthcoming F18News article).
Bagirov, seized during an armed police assault on the village of Nardaran
near Baku in November 2015, is already serving a 20-year jail term for
leading the Muslim Unity Movement (see F18News 9 February 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2254&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=xAkEXlk0Yz_r0xdcjffBSbidUUa_w6zZFegGRylJRnA&e=>).
Sheki: Police raid Sufi meeting, fine eventually overturned
On 18 August 2017, Police in the northern town of Sheki raided the home of
44-year-old Rashad Abidov at the behest of Chief Criminal Investigator
Major Ilham Mammadov. Investigator Lieutenant Ayaz Bayramov led the raid,
where officers found Sufi Muslims meeting without state permission.
Officers seized 13 books by the Turkish Sufi leaders Imam Iskender Ali Mihr
and Abdulcabbar Boran, as well as discs and three computers.
On 10 October 2017, Investigator Bayramov intended to open a criminal case
against Abidov but this was rejected. On 23 October 2017, Captain Shamil
Bazarov instead opened a case against him under Administrative Code Article
515.0.2. This punishes "Violating legislation on holding religious
meetings, marches, and other religious ceremonies". The fine for
individuals for this "offence" is between 1,500 and 2,000 Manats.
The case against Abidov was handed to Sheki District Court. On 14 November
2017, Judge Jahid Imanov found him guilty and fined him 1,500 Manats (6,900
Norwegian Kroner, 715 Euros or 890 US Dollars).
Abidov appealed against the fine to Sheki Appeal Court. On 15 December 2017
Judge Rafail Aliyev upheld Abidov's appeal, as the wrong officials had
prepared the administrative case, according to the decision seen by Forum
18. A 3 May 2017 presidential decree said only State Committee officials
could prepare cases for court under Administrative Code Article 515 (all
parts) and Article 516.0.1. Police had prepared the case against Abidov.
Lieutenant Bayramov of Sheki Police refused to explain why officers had
raided Abidov's home, seized religious literature and other items, tried to
bring a criminal case and then brought an administrative case because he
was hosting a meeting with others in his home about his faith. "No criminal
case is underway," he told Forum 18 on 6 February 2018 via a colleague. The
colleague then said he refused to answer any other questions and left the
office.
Officers told Forum 18 the same day that Major Mammadov and Captain Bazarov
were out of the office. The duty officer told Forum 18 that the raid on
Abidov's home and the case against him "did not happen".
Taleh Abdullayev, the representative in Sheki of the State Committee,
refused to answer any of Forum 18's questions about the August 2017 raid -
including whether or not he or his colleagues had been present - about what
had happened to the religious literature seized from Abidov and why he was
originally fined. "Don't call here again," he told Forum 18 on 6 February
before putting the phone down.
Gyanja: Police raid worship meeting
On 28 January, Police in Gyanja's Nizami District raided the Sunday meeting
for worship of Star in the East Pentecostal Church, held in the home of
45-year-old church member Adalat Sariyev. About 100 people - 40 of them
children - were present at the meeting when the police arrived, Report.az
news website noted on 30 January.
"The invasion came during the service, and officers filmed everyone present
with video-cameras and took their personal details, including of children,"
one church member told Forum 18 from Gyanja.
Police detained Sariyev and sent information about him to the State
Committee for Work with Religious Organisations, Report.az noted.
Following the raid, schools attended by the children received calls from
the police, church members told Forum 18.
The man who answered the phone of Nizami District Police chief - who would
not give his name - refused to explain why officers raided a meeting for
worship in a home. "Ask the Interior Ministry," he told Forum 18 on 5
February. The officer then admitted that local police, not officers from
the Ministry in Baku, had conducted the raid, but still refused to explain
why it had been launched. "We work according to the laws of Azerbaijan," he
insisted and then put the phone down.
An official of the Gyanja branch of the State Committee, who refused to
give his name, told Forum 18 on 5 February that the head of the branch Asif
Aliyev was away for the whole of the week. The official insisted the police
had raided the church "to take a look only" and to "ask questions" of
Sariyev.
Asked what church members had done wrong to merit a police raid during a
religious meeting, the official responded: "They didn't do anything wrong.
They simply have no registration." The official refused to explain why a
religious community should be raided for meeting for worship without state
registration. He claimed Sariyev would face no court case.
Like many Protestant churches (as well as non-Muslim Board mosques, and
communities of other faiths), Star in the East Church in Gyanja does not
have state registration.
Church members do not know whether Sariyev or others will face any court
case. "Nothing is certain at the moment," church members told Forum 18.
"From what officials say it is possible some further action will follow."
Aliabad: Constitutional Court refuses to consider appeal
On 31 January, Azerbaijan's Constitutional Court Baku wrote to 61-year-old
Baptist pastor Hamid Shabanov in Aliabad to tell him it would not be
considering his further appeal against a fine of 1,500 Manats for meeting
for worship without state permission handed down in December 2016.
"The Constitutional Court wrote to say that I lodged the appeal too late,"
Pastor Shabanov told Forum 18 from Aliabad on 6 February. "I must now pay
the fine. The law demands that I pay - they warned me that if I don't,
they'll be further action."
Another Baptist from the same church, Mehman Agamammadov, has now paid all
three instalments of his 1,500 Manat-fine at the insistence of the court
bailiff. Despite being repeatedly refused the written decision and despite
objecting to being fined for exercising his right to freedom of religion or
belief he paid the first instalment of 500 Manats in early December 2017
(see F18News 15 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2342&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=ga9qnQ2t-IlavVhTuUSckJNHoFuzQEZEn5rq3-nqyX0&e=>).
"Mehman has now paid
the other two instalments," Pastor Shabanov told Forum 18.
The fines followed a November 2016 raid by police and the local State
Committee official on an "illegal" meeting for prayer in Pastor Shabanov's
home. Police detained more than 30 adults and children present, after which
16 women and 10 men were questioned at the local police station until 10 pm
at night. Police sent confiscated religious literature to the State
Committee in Baku for alleged "expert analysis". The literature was all
returned the following month.
In a 15-minute hearing on 12 December 2016, Zakatala District Court found
both Pastor Shabanov and Agamammadov guilty and fined them each the minimum
fine, 1,500 Manats. Both Baptists were punished under Administrative Code
Article 515.0.2 ("Violating legislation on holding religious meetings,
marches, and other religious ceremonies").
Pastor Shabanov managed to get the written decision only in January 2017.
Agamammadov never received the written decision, despite repeated attempts
to get it from the court. Pastor Shabanov lodged his appeal to the
Constitutional Court in October 2017 after Sheki Appeal Court refused in
June 2017 to extend the period for him to lodge his appeal against the
December 2016 fine (see F18News 17 January 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2247&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=1fW_qaK-ycDyoUsuW9-kmziePPoWd8ebXQgKxc-OLqU&e=>).
The Aliabad Baptist Church has been seeking registration - in vain - since
1994. Former prisoner of conscience Pastor Shabanov was held in pre-trial
detention from June to November 2008. In February 2009 he was given a
two-year suspended sentence on charges he and his fellow-Baptists insisted
were fabricated. He was arrested a month after another Aliabad Pastor, Zaur
Balaev, was freed after nearly a year in prison on false charges (see
F18News 12 February 2009
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1254&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=joIoshiY9iYPfvH8GgV95GsMt57CR21FhWUBFzwtYeQ&e=>).
The Aliabad Church has been unable to meet together for worship since the
November 2016 raid. In November 2017, the head of the State Committee Legal
Department Sabina Allahverdiyeva wrote to the Church warning that it cannot
meet for worship without state registration (see F18News 15 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2342&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=ga9qnQ2t-IlavVhTuUSckJNHoFuzQEZEn5rq3-nqyX0&e=>).
"If we meet again for worship, we'll get double the fine," Pastor Shabanov
quoted officials as having told church members, he told Forum 18. (END)
For background information see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom
survey at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2081&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=V4c1FV4QEW_JAD9joW7CwvKFJnyG_BNGaIJL6VYuiAI&e=>.
More coverage of freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Azerbaijan is
at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Fquery-3D-26religion-3Dall-26country-3D23&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=c7lAuAuDM8bokXvK0pIGIKuQU7EDk9MT56KgGxE0-OQ&e=>.
A compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments can be found at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1351&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=xPlZG9fhXwzEcVRERMmx312E3WdpdevvCuz_Mq7_xGQ&e=>.
For a personal commentary, by an Azeri Protestant, on how the international
community can help establish religious freedom in Azerbaijan, see
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D482&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=z_sb49ffJL0hPJXrCLUfAmoM64HEm_KwOQF33yohNRQ&e=>.
A printer-friendly map of Azerbaijan is available at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nationalgeographic.org_education_mapping_outline-2Dmap_-3Fmap-3DAzerbaijan&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=6jH3HP41qDGH9NiHDzZBFfP7ZisBIGG3_SRxVJnkB1Q&e=>.
Twitter @Forum_18
Follow us on Facebook @Forum18NewsService
All Forum 18 News Service material may be referred to, quoted from, or
republished in full, if Forum 18 <www.forum18.org> is credited as the
source.
© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855.
=================================================
SUBSCRIBE here:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_subscribe.php&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=Q-KZy3eUb3jNvPPHHwVuavVWVtfn_yhKl3RJMs7cbME&e=
and enter your e-mail address for
either the full or the weekly edition.
- Or send an empty e-mail to (for the full edition):
[email protected]
(for the weekly edition):
[email protected]
UNSUBSCRIBE here:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_subscribe.php&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=Q-KZy3eUb3jNvPPHHwVuavVWVtfn_yhKl3RJMs7cbME&e=
and enter your e-mail address for
either the full or the weekly edition.
- Or send an empty e-mail to (for the full edition):
[email protected]
(for the weekly edition):
[email protected]
=================================================
If you need to contact F18News, please email us at:
f18news @ editor.forum18.org
Forum 18
Postboks 6603
Rodeløkka
N-0502 Oslo
NORWAY
=================================================
Tuesday, February 6, 2017 Opposition MPs Decry Another Curb On President's Powers . Sisak Gabrielian Armenia - Edmon Marukian, a leader of the opposition Yelk alliance, speaks during a parliament session in Yerevan, 6 February 2018. Opposition lawmakers on Tuesday rejected as unconstitutional a government bill that would seriously limit the next Armenian president's power to grant pardons. Under Armenia's radically amended constitution, the head of state to be elected by the parliament next month will play a largely ceremonial role in view of the country's transition to the parliamentary system of government. Pardoning individuals convicted of various crimes will be one of the few executive powers vested in the presidency. Article 135 of the constitution stipulates that the president can grant pardons "in a manner and cases defined by the law." It does not elaborate. A draft Law on Pardons submitted by the government to the National Assembly makes clear that all presidential decisions on clemency sought by convicts will have to be approved by the prime minister beforehand. The latter would also set up a special advisory commission examining requests for early release from prison and concluding whether they should be granted. Edmon Marukian, a senior lawmaker representing the opposition Yelk alliance, insisted that the bill runs counter to the relevant constitutional provision."The president would simply be presented with draft decisions [on pardons] and told to sign them," argued Marukian. "Yet the constitution says that he is the one who can pardon people." Gevorg Petrosian, a parliament deputy from the Tsarukian Bloc, agreed, saying that the president of the republic would be effectively stripped of their constitutional authority to pardon people. He also complained that the bill does not specify the grounds on which the prime minister will be recommending or arguing against presidential pardons. However, Arpine Hovannisian, a deputy parliament speaker representing the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), denied any contradiction between the proposed law and the constitution. The HHK majority in the parliament will also almost certainly side with the government. The government is also planning to push through the parliament a number of other bills that would underline the next prime minister's status as Armenia's most powerful official. In particular, the premier will head a new Security Council tasked with formulating the country's policy on national defense. It will be more powerful than a similar presidential body currently advising Sarkisian on national security. Some observers view these bills as a further indication that Sarkisian is intent on becoming prime minister right after completing his second and final presidential term on April 9. The outgoing president has still not clarified his political plans. EU Plans New Aid Package For Armenian Regions . Satenik Kaghzvantsian Armenia - Piotr Switalski (R), head of the EU Delegation in Armenia, awards a participant of an EU-sponsored cross-country ski festival in Ashotsk, 4 February 2018. The European Parliament is planning to allocate around 40 million euros ($50 million) for development projects that will be launched in three regions in northern Armenia this year, according to a senior EU diplomat. "We are discussing with the Armenian government our action plan for 2018 and will most probably focus on three directions: tourism, agriculture and creative economy," Piotr Switalski, head of the EU Delegation in Yerevan, said over the weekend. Speaking during an EU-sponsored cross-country ski festival in Ashotsk, a small town in northwestern Armenia, Switalski said the fresh aid package is aimed at stimulating economic activity and reducing poverty in the Shirak, Lori and Tavush provinces. Shirak has long been the country's poorest region. It is still reeling from a devastating earthquake in 1988 that killed tens of thousands of people and left many others homeless. Commenting on aid programs planned for Shirak, Switalski said in particular that the EU will spend more than 500,000 on euros on a pilot project designed to support commercial wool processing in Amasia, an impoverished provincial town 23 kilometers southwest of Ashotsk. The EU will also be promoting tourism in the area known for harsh winter weather, he said. The ski festival held there is part of that effort. "We see a potential here," Switalski told reporters. "We believe that together with its Armenian and other partners the EU can help to create employment and other opportunities for locals so that they see the realization of their dreams here." The EU has been one of Armenia's leading foreign donors ever since the early 1990s. Switalski said in November that it will provide the country with at least 170 million euros in fresh aid over the next three years. The diplomat spoke shortly after the signing of a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the EU and Armenia. Armenian Opposition Pushes For Parliament Debate On Tax Cuts . Astghik Bedevian Armenia - The opposition Yelk alliance holds an anti-government rally in Yerevan, 5 February 2018. The opposition Yelk alliance moved closer on Tuesday to forcing a parliament debate on its demands for repealing government-drafted legislation which it blames for recent increases in the prices of fuel and some foodstuffs in Armenia. A bill put forward by Yelk calls for reversing higher excise duties on fuel, tobacco and alcohol as well as income taxes collected from Armenians earning well above the national average wage. The bill was formally backed by 29 members of the 105-seat National Assembly, meaning that it has to be debated on the parliament floor on February 16. Yelk, which holds 9 parliament seats, secured more than 27 signatures needed for holding the emergency parliament session thanks to the backing of businessman Gagik Tsarukian's alliance, the second largest parliamentary force. The Tsarukian Bloc is also officially in opposition to the government. Naira Zohrabian, a senior Tsarukian Bloc lawmaker, voiced support for the Yelk initiative. She cautioned that deputies from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) may scuttle the debate by preventing the legislature from making a quorum. "They block any rational and positive initiative that doesn't fit into their intra-clan rules of the game," charged Zohrabian. "We will carry on with our tactic. Unfortunately, this is all the opposition can do." Yelk's Edmon Marukian was careful not to predict an HHK boycott of the February 16 session. He said that the pro-government majority could make serious concessions as a result of "public pressure." Yelk held demonstrations in Yerevan in support of its demands on January 19 and February 5. The protests attracted only several hundred people. Nevertheless, Marukian sought to put a brave face on the modest turnout. "Had it not been for those protests there would have been no emergency session of the parliament," he claimed. Meanwhile, the HHK-controlled majority was in no rush to pass judgment on the Yelk bill or say whether its lawmakers will turn up for the debate.The ruling party's parliamentary leader, Vahram Baghdasarian, said only that it will discuss the opposition motion. "Their proposals have to be realistic, rather than populistic, and correspond to our resources," he told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). In that regard, Baghdasarian defended the Armenian government's economic policies which are aimed, among other things, at increasing tax revenue. "If we want to ensure our progress, to be able to speak of raising salaries and pensions later on # we need to look at our [financial] means," he said. Prime Minister Karen Karapetian downplayed last month the socioeconomic impact of the increased prices of fuel and products such as meat, butter and potatoes, insisting that inflation in Armenia remains low. Karapetian also defended the higher income tax rates for high-earners. Press Review "Zhamanak" reports and comments on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's decision to bring forward Azerbaijan's next presidential election, initially scheduled for October 2018, by six months. The paper wonders if Aliyev is worried about unexpected internal or external developments later this year that could complicate his reelection. It notes that the snap Azerbaijani election will be held just two days after President Serzh Sarkisian completes his final term. Later in April, the Armenian parliament will elect a new prime minister who will likely be the country's most powerful official. "Zhoghovurd" says Sarkisian is now keen to ensure that the power levers are concentrated in the prime minister's hands after the end of his presidency. "And since Serzh Sarkisian himself is regarded as the main candidate for the post of prime minister, they are attempting to write up the entire legislation relating to the work of government bodies in accordance with that logic," writes the paper. It says that some of those new laws drafted by the government run counter to the Armenian constitution. In particular, the constitution empowers the next president of republic to grant pardons. However, a new government bill submitted to the National Assembly makes clear that presidential pardons must be formally proposed by the prime minister. "Haykakan Zhamanak" reports that the prices of gasoline in Armenia rose by another 2 percent over the weekend." "Why? It's not clear," writes the paper. "At least there is no logical economic explanation for that. The bulk of Armenia's petrol is imported from Russia. The petrol price in Russia has not risen in the past week. A mystery? Yes, from the economic standpoint. But in reality everything is clear." The fuel prices in Armenia are determined by a handful of importers, not the market, concludes the paper. "Aravot" deplores the controversial cancellation of presentations of the Armenian translation of a memoir written by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. "Who are our authorities afraid of when they ban the Saakashvili book presentations?" the paper asks in an editorial. "The Kremlin or Georgia's current government? It does not really matter. What should matter in this case is a far more simple principle: does that book violate Armenia's laws?" (Tigran Avetisian) Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org