Azerbaijan: Call for EU Sanctions Raises Activist-Hopes
Eurasianet.org, September 26, 2014, https://www.eurasianet.org/node/70181
The United States and European Union appear to be taking a stronger stance against Azerbaijan over Baku's poor rights record. Recent US and EU criticism is bolstering the resolve of local critics of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's administration, even though there are no immediate signs that Western leaders and institutions will follow up on their words with actions.
In a September 23 speech in New York City, President Obama included Azerbaijan in a list of the world’s worst human-rights violators, citing, in particular, “laws [that] make it incredibly difficult for NGO’s even to operate.”
The criticism was Obama’s first such public remark, and one that activists believe lends momentum to the European Parliament’s earlier call to the European Council, a priority-setting body that includes the 28 EU members’ heads of state, to apply “targeted sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations” in Azerbaijan if such abuses persist.
General News on Armenia
Hristea: EU is definitely interested in Armenian goods
News.am, September 26, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
EU Ambassador does not think that at the moment we need to speak about the influence of restrictive measures imposed against Russia on Armenia's economy.
Ambassador Trian Hristea said EU is definitely interested in Armenian goods, and this is due to this interest that EU created such mechanisms as GSP+ that are contributing to development of trade and economic relations between Armenia and EU.
Asked about this year's reduction in Armenia's exports by 4.9 percent, the EU diplomat said it is normal to have fluctuations from month to month, year to year. “I will refrain at this stage to make assessment based on that figure. The most important thing for now is that Armenia should make use of instruments proposed by EU. And may be to come back to analysis of percentage when we have picture of real trends,” he said after the opening of the third training of EU in Armenia club.
Armenian President, UN chief discuss cooperation, Karabakh
Panarmenian.net, September 27, 2014, https://www.panarmenian.net/
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met Friday, Sept 26, with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The two men discussed UN-Armenia cooperation, including on the issue of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and exchanged views on the Nagorno Karabakh peace process and the role of the international community.
The Secretary-General congratulated the Armenian people on the recent 23rd anniversary of national independence.
Foreign Ministry Reveals Details of EEU Agreement
Asbarez.com, September 26, 2014, https://asbarez.com/127337/
On Friday, Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled details of a draft agreement on the country’s accession to the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union. The discloser was prompted by heavy pressure from non-governmental organizations and the media, who accused Yerevan of being secretive and opaque on the issue.
“It is important to note that before the signing of this treaty changes are possible on the sides’ consent,” the Foreign Ministry explained.
On May 29, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus signed a treaty on the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union. The treaty takes force on January 1, 2015.
On Sept. 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the government’s proposal to sign an accession agreement with Armenia.
On Sept. 3, the Eurasian Economic Commission reported that the final version of the treaty had already been sent to the governments of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Armenia for ratification.
The four countries will meet in October to ratify Armenia’s entry into the Union.
Yerevan Traders Punished For Anti-Government Protests
Azatutyun.am, September 29, 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
Armenian law-enforcement authorities indicated on Friday that they will not prosecute the owner of a large jewelry market in Yerevan who has punished its traders taking part in ongoing protests against new taxation rules introduced by the government.
The businessman, Vagharsh Abrahamian, and his aides were on Thursday caught on camera smashing and removing their stalls from the market located in the city center. “Throw them out of the window,” he is shown shouting in video of the incident posted on the website of the “Zhoghovurd” daily.
Abrahamian told the paper that he is thus punishing the traders who ignored his orders not to take part in the demonstrations. “I did the right thing and I will keep doing that if need be,” he said.
Azerbaijan earthquake causes damage in Armenia
News.am, September 29, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
The earthquake in Azerbaijan has damaged roofs in Armenia’s Tavush Region, Governor Hovik Abovyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am adding, however, that he personally had not felt any tremor.
The regional governor also informed that the relevant regional agency has gone to the area to record the damage.
“They are working at present, they will present a report, [and] we definitely will take action to restore the damage,” Abovyan noted.
The earthquake, which hit Azerbaijan on Monday, also was felt in the Tavush Region of Armenia and in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, where it measured 3 magnitude.
Constitutional Panel Set To Recommend Parliamentary Republic
Azatutyun.am, September 29, 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
An ad hoc commission on constitutional reform formed by President Serzh Sarkisian is leaning towards proposing Armenia’s transformation into a parliamentary republic, one of its members said on Friday.
“In our draft concept [for the reform,] we are now putting the emphasis on the parliamentary system,” Vartan Poghosian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
The commission headed by Constitutional Court Chairman Gagik Harutiunian made no definitive recommendations on Armenia’s government system in in the preliminary version of the concept released last spring. But it did call for a significant reduction of sweeping powers enjoyed by the president of the republic.
The commission is due to submit the final version of the reform framework to Sarkisian by October 15. It will start drafting concrete amendments to the Armenian constitution after the president holds official negotiations with the country’s main political forces later this year.
Marxist Davit Hakobyan passed away
Armenpress.am, September 29, 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
Chairman of the Marxist Party of Armenia Davit Hakobyan passed away. As the Marxist Party Office informed Armenpress, his health state deteriorated in the morning of September 29. He was rushed to hospital, where he died. The exact causes of his death have not been reported yet. Armenpress News Agency expresses condolences to Davit Hakobyan’s family and friends.
General News on Karabakh
Karabakh celebrates Stepanakert Day
Panorama.am, September 27, 2014, https://www.panorama.am/en/
On September 27, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan attended celebrations dedicated to the Day of capital Stepanakert.
The President noted that celebrations of the capital's day have become traditional, which is of pivotal importance from political, cultural and educational viewpoints.
Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan and other officials attended the celebrations, the President’s press service reported.
Azerbaijan threatens to cease participation in Euronest
Mediamax.am, September 26, 2014, https://www.mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/11730/
Azerbaijan might cease its further participation in Euronest Parliamentary Assembly of Eastern Partnership member states.
As Mediamax was informed by its European Parliament sources, Chairman of Azerbaijani Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Elkhan Suleymanov sent a letter with “Why should Azerbaijan Remain in the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly” title to President of the European Parliament Mr. Martin Schulz, Members of the European Parliament and Bureau Members of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.
“I argue that Euronest is a failed and unfortunate initiative. It was an attempt to create a new international forum for discussion that is now being bogged down by indecision, platitudes and double standards. Instead of finding common solutions to the main problems affecting both the European Union and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, it is simply discussing the least important, most vague of issues with no consequence whatsoever to any of its statements and decisions”, the letter of the Chairman of Azerbaijani Delegation reads.
Elkhan Suleymanov accused the European Parliament of double standards and criticized the infrastructure for adopting “anti-Azerbaijani” resolutions.
Exclusive: Anne Brasseur: PACE should not interfere in OSCE Minsk Group’s activities
Panorama.am, September 27, 2014, https://www.panorama.am/en/
PACE President Anne Brasseur refuted Azerbaijani media reports that during the press conference in Baku she had proposed to "hold meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno-Karabakh in Baku despite Armenia’s non-constructive position.”
Asked by a Panorama.am correspondent in Strasbourg whether those publications reflect the PACE President’s words, a representative of the PACE President’s office said that the “President of the Assembly has asked me to thank you for your e-mail and share with you the press release summarizing the conclusions of her visit to Azerbaijan․”
“Referring to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, I would like to highlight that Ms Brasseur said that the “Assembly should not interfere in the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, but we can help the parliamentary delegations of Azerbaijan and Armenia build confidence and develop dialogue,”” the PACE official added.
American Library Association recognizes Azerbaijan writer novella on Armenians
News.am, September 27, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
The American Library Association (ALA) has included “Stone Dreams,” a novella by Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli, in its rundown of books threatened in the past year.
The work, which depicts the pogroms carried out by the Azerbaijanis against the Armenians in Sumgait and in Baku, is banned in Azerbaijan for presenting Armenians in sympathetic light.
Because of this novella, Aylisli has been persecuted and stripped of his titles in Azerbaijan.
Akram Aylisli has been nominated for the 2014 Nobel Prize in Literature, whose winner will be announced on October 10.
Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire 220 times last week
Armradio.am, September 29, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
According to the data of the NKR Defense Army, about 220 cases of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side were registered at the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan from September 21 to 27.
The rival fired more than 1,400 shots from weapons of different caliber in the direction of the Armenian positions.
The front troops of the NKR Defense Army remained committed to the maintenance of the ceasefire regime and confidently continued with their military duty.
Archbishop P. Martirosyan is awarded with highest Honorary Title of the "Hero of Artsakh"
Times.am, September 29, 2014, https://www.times.am/?p=94638&
On 28 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan partook in a festive event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of re-opening the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church at the Gandzasar monastic complex, during which the Head of the State awarded Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan with the Golden Eagle Order granting him the highest Honorary Title of the "Hero of Artsakh". Central Information Department of the Office of Artsakh Republic President informs about this.
In his speech the President highlighted the role of the church in the life of the Armenian people and Artsakh underlining that without the Mother Church it would have been impossible to survive, keep our national identity and traditions and gain victories.
Armenia-Turkey
Perincek case: Armenia involved as third side in proceeding
Tert.am, September 26, 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/
The European Court of Human Rights has involved Armenia as a third party in Dogu Perincek’s case against Switzerland (Perincek vs Switzerland, App no 27510/08).
The decision was made based on an appeal by Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan (who is Armenia’s representative to the ECHR). The Court’s Grand Chamber approved the request on Friday. It has scheduled a hearing for January 28, 2015. But before the due date, Armenia is to submit a written statement to the Chamber, expressing its position. At the hearing in January, the country will be given a chance to reiterate the statement in court, says a press release by the Prosecutor General's Office.
Earlier, Turkey was involved in the case as a third party.
Group of intellectuals condemn anti-Armenian statements in textbooks
Todayszaman.com, September 26, 2014, https://www.todayszaman.com/
A group of academics, journalists, artists and intellectuals have released a statement condemning in the harshest terms what they define as expressions that include “open hatred and hostility” towards Armenians in Turkish schoolbooks, which were recently exposed by the newspapers Agos and Taraf.
The two newspapers recently published reports on hateful remarks targeting Armenians in the textbooks used in history classes.
A letter accompanying the text of the condemnation, written by historian Taner Akçam, notes that including such expressions as lesson material to teach children is a disgrace.
The signees said textbooks in schools should seek to encourage feelings of peace, solidarity and living together over inciting hatred towards different religious and cultural groups, Akçam said. He further wrote: “Standing with integrity in the face of history is the prerequisite for establishing the future on the foundations of friendship and peace. I do hope that this signature campaign will be taken as a scream from all of us for the publication of textbooks that we would like to see.”
Turkey launches “Turkish Genocide by Armenians” contest
News.am, September 29, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
Gazi University of Turkey, in conjunction with the Azerbaijan embassy in the country, has announced a contest which inseminates enmity and hatred towards Armenians.
Articles with the theme, “When All were Asleep: The Armenians’ Massacres from Anatolia to the Caucasus,” will be submitted to the contest, reported Birgun website of Turkey.
The text of the competition notes that in 1915, there was no place in Turkey’s east and west, where Armenians had not massacred the Turks.
And January 19, the day of the murder of Hrant Dink—the founder and chief editor of Agos Armenian weekly of Istanbul, who was shot dead on January 19, 2007 in front of his weekly’s office—has been set as the day for announcing the contest results.
Deputy PM: Armenian Genocide will be discussed in Czech Senate
News.am, September 27, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
Condemnation of the Armenian Genocide will be discussed in Czech Senate next year, Deputy Speaker of Armenian parliament Eduard Shrmazanov said summing up his trip to Prague.
Key issues of Armenia's foreign policy – Armenian Genocide recognition, pro-Armenian solution to Karabakh conflict, struggle against xenophobia – were raised during the visit.
In addition, destruction of the Armenian church in Deir ez-Zor, Syria , was discussed.
“The spiritual leader of Czech Republic condemned the barbaric act. The crime was strongly condemned by our counterparts from Czech Senate,” Sharmzanov told reporters on Saturday.
Conference on Armenian Art and Culture in the Ottoman Empire before 1915
Massispost.com, September 24, 2014, https://massispost.com/2014/09/
The Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) have organized a daylong conference on “Armenian Art and Culture in the Ottoman Empire before 1915” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Sheen Chapel situated above the Museum at 15105 Mission Hills, CA.
News from International Sources
Azerbaijan: BP Should Address Crackdown
Human Rights Watch, September 24, 2014, https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/09/24/azerbaijan-bp-should-address-crackdown
BP should tackle a harsh government crackdown on independent groups and activists in Azerbaijan, Human Rights Watch said in a letter released today. The crackdown has seriously compromised an international natural resource transparency initiative in which the company plays a leading role. On September 20, 2014, BP and the government of Azerbaijan, a member of the same group, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), held a high-profile ceremony to mark the official start of a major new project to supply gas from Azerbaijan to Europe.
“BP’s leadership role in a global coalition to promote transparency gives it a responsibility to uphold the initiative’s core principles of civic participation,” said Lisa Misol, senior business and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “It should press Azerbaijan’s government to end its unprecedented crackdown on independent voices.”
News from Azerbaijani Sources
Monitoring on Armenian-Azerbaijani contact line expected
Trend.az, September 29, 2014, https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is expected to monitor the contact line of the Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Sept.30, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said.
The monitoring will be held under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, on the contact line located near the village of Sarijali of Azerbaijan's Aghdam region, the ministry said.
On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be carried out by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Personal Representative, Andrzej Kasprzyk and his field assistant Evgeny Sharov.
On the opposite side, the monitoring will be conducted by field assistants of OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Hristo Hristov and Peter Svedberg.
American students learn truth about Karabakh
News.az, September 27, 2014, https://www.news.az/articles/
The Syracuse University, based in Upstate New York, has hosted an event dedicated to Azerbaijan.
The Syracuse University, based in Upstate New York, has hosted an event dedicated to Azerbaijan. The event was held at the University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, which is recognized as one of the world's best graduate schools of public affairs. Students and professors of the university attended the event.
At the invitation of the University, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev participated at the event. Following the introductory remarks by the event’s co-hosts, Brian Taylor, Professor of Political Science of the University and Director of the Center for European Studies, and Alma Begic from the University’s Turkish Student Association, Consul General Aghayev was invited to address the audience.