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Arpine Hovhannisyan, the former Minister of Justice of Armenia, has finally broken her silence.

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Arpine Hovhannisyan. write on her Facebook:

The reason for breaking my silence.

The reason behind my decision to break my silence is the overwhelming events unfolding in Artsakh and Armenia. Amidst this turmoil, there exists a dominant voice, and that is the voice of silence. This silence comes in two forms: noisy and silent, each stemming from different causes like powerlessness and depression. The noise represents the devaluation of speech and the reality of everything being said.

While I typically prefer the silent type of silence, the suffocating apathy surrounding me compels me to break this silence to express my gratitude. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of Artsakh, bravely enduring life in Artsakh. No more words are needed, and no less.

It is no secret that Azerbaijan and its leaders have never hidden their ambitions for both Artsakh and Armenia. Whether realistic or not, their intentions have been laid bare at various stages, from being serious to seemingly humorous, filled with military aggression or empty pathos. Recent weaknesses in the authorities and incompetent politics have turned our lives into an ongoing nightmare, with each passing day bringing greater repercussions than the last. The reasons behind this, the mistakes of the military-political elite, and the political bankruptcy of this era, are questions for another day or cycle. However, amidst these disastrous and existential problems, the people of Artsakh and Artsakhians stand almost alone against the world, burdened with immense hardships and deprivations.

Under constant Azerbaijani threats, humiliations, and deaths, the people of Artsakh have put aside their own seemingly carefree lives in Armenia to bear this heavy load. The politics and challenges Armenia faces depend on the resolution of Artsakh’s questions. Just as the border was suddenly moved from Jabrail to Jermuk, Armenia’s concerns may also be at risk. Though the 29800 sq km area can be protected and defended in theory, in practice, parts of it can still be occupied, just as a part of Armenia already has been.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the ordinary Armenian individuals living in Artsakh or aspiring to live there. Despite enduring countless abuses, they contribute to Armenia’s peaceful existence every day. Azerbaijan may desire Syunik, Sevan, and Yerevan, but their ultimate goal is Artsakh. This debunks those who advocate “Let’s give Artsakh and live in peace” or view Artsakh people as foreigners. Even those willing to cede Artsakh acknowledge Azerbaijan’s insatiable desires.

In this difficult and painful situation, the salvation lies with the people living in Artsakh. Only through the presence of strong individuals in Artsakh can any geopolitical solution arise; otherwise, it remains a mere fairy tale. My deepest wish is for this nightmare of psychological and physical pain to not be in vain.

As I cannot presume to offer advice to parents struggling to feed their hungry children or provide them with medicine, I can only express gratitude for their sacrifices and silently accept any decision they make, knowing it will directly impact all of us.

Former Armenian Defense Minister Reveals Pashinyan’s Surprising 44-Day War Capitulation, Contrasting it with Victorious 1992-1994 Campaign which had multiple 44-day setbacks

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Armenian: Ex. Defense Minister Exposes Pashinyan’s Capitulation, Revealing Armenia’s Multiple 44-Day Setbacks during the First Karabakh War 1992 – 1994 but Also Highlighting Their Ultimate Victory Video

On Tuesday, former Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan testified before Armenian pro-government lawmakers, despite being held in detention and standing trial on corruption charges, which he vehemently denies. Armenian ExDefense Minister Testifies on 44-Day War Before Parliament Panel which has been boycotted by opposition

Tonoyan appeared before an ad hoc parliamentary commission responsible for investigating the reasons behind Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. However, the two opposition blocs in the National Assembly refused to participate, arguing that the commission was established to whitewash Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s wartime incompetence and disastrous decision-making.

In his opening remarks to the media, Tonoyan urged an end to the opposition boycott. He clarified that his decision to testify before the panel, which consists of Pashinyan’s political allies, should not be interpreted as a sign of any “deal” with the Armenian government.

Gegham Manukyan, a lawmaker representing the main opposition Hayastan alliance, promptly rejected Tonoyan’s appeal, reiterating the opposition’s belief that Pashinyan’s regime cannot impartially examine its own actions.

The commission has been conducting inquiries for a year, questioning numerous current and former government officials, including Prime Minister Pashinyan and military officers. When the prime minister testified in June, he defended his handling of the 2020 war and shifted some blame for the outcome onto Armenia’s top military leadership. Onik Gasparyan, the former army chief of staff during the war, contested some of Pashinyan’s claims.

Tonoyan confirmed Gasparyan’s earlier statement that shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in September 2020, the latter warned the country’s political leadership about an impending defeat. Additionally, Tonoyan pointed out that Turkey’s direct military intervention significantly impacted Azerbaijan’s victory, catching the Armenian military by surprise. He stated that they had not anticipated Turkish armed forces operating just 25-45 kilometers away from the Artsakh theater of war.

Tonoyan was dismissed as defense minister following the war and subsequently arrested in 2021 as part of a criminal investigation into alleged supplies of faulty ammunition to the Armenian Air Force. Alongside two army generals and an arms dealer, he faced trial in 2022, with all parties denying the fraud and embezzlement charges brought against them.

The goal of the American-mediated dialogue is to empty Artsakh not in a week, but in several months

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Avetis Babajanyan,

The kidnapping of Vagif Khachatryan was a special operation organized by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Western countries, in which the Red Cross participated. The goal is to make the people of Artsakh understand that they have no choice but to accept Azerbaijan’s conditions and renounce their rights and freedoms. Vagif Khachatryan was not taken to prison, as the Azerbaijani authorities should have done with the “criminal” kidnapped by them, but to the hospital, thereby showing the humanitarian face of Azerbaijan.
Samvel Babayan, a supporter and pioneer of the Pashinyan line of “dialogue” with Azerbaijan in Artsakh, uses the arrest of his former driver to advance the line of Azeriization of Artsakh. He calls to “start a dialogue” with the Azerbaijani authorities, as a result of which Aliyev’s promised amnesty will be reached, and the Azerbaijani authorities will guarantee the freedom of the people of Artsakh. As long as there is no such dialogue, every Armenian under siege in Artsakh is a de facto criminal, an accused whom the Azerbaijanis can detain. The logic of Pashinyan, Aliyev, and Babayayan is very simple. by detaining Vagif Khachatryan, they are sending a message to the people of Artsakh that if you refuse dialogue, you will end up in Baku as a prisoner, we won’t even leave Gori to get there, we will kidnap all of you from Hakar Bridge and take you to Baku. So far we are very kind, we are taking you to the hospital, but then you will all end up in isolation cells in Baku. Vagif Khachatryan may even be operated on to show how humanitarian the Azerbaijani authorities are, thereby saving a little face for the Red Cross, whose statement regarding the kidnapping of a person under its protection contained no accusations against the Azerbaijani authorities who organized the kidnapping, and there was no demand. about returning the abductee. The Red Cross can be justified, what difference does Khachatryan undergo surgery in Baku or in Yerevan, the important thing is that nothing threatens his health. whose statement regarding the abduction of a person under its protection contained no accusations against the Azerbaijani authorities who organized the abduction, and no demand for the return of the abductee. The Red Cross can be justified, what difference does Khachatryan undergo surgery in Baku or in Yerevan, the important thing is that nothing threatens his health. whose statement regarding the abduction of a person under its protection contained no accusations against the Azerbaijani authorities who organized the abduction, and no demand for the return of the abductee. The Red Cross can be justified, what difference does Khachatryan undergo surgery in Baku or in Yerevan, the important thing is that nothing threatens his health.
The Red Cross is an organization created and influenced by Western countries, which its creators use to serve their interests. Now there is such a situation. Western countries want to force Artsakh and Artsakh Armenians to give up their struggle for freedom and submit. They want to show that no one can guarantee their safety, not even the Red Cross, Azerbaijan is such a strong country that it can ignore all international norms and rules and do what it wants, who are you to resist? This operation, organized by the Western countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Red Cross, was actually an event aimed at breaking the will of the people of Artsakh.

It is no coincidence that immediately after the kidnapping of Vagif Khachatryan, information was spread that some kind of Artsakh-Azerbaijani negotiations could take place with the mediation of the American side. Azerbaijan has already formulated its demands, the Artsakh side has stated that it is against these demands and is not going to fulfill them. What should these negotiations be about when Azerbaijan demands the final destruction of Artsakh and the Azeriization of Artsakh Armenians, and the people of Artsakh say that they cannot live within Azerbaijan, under Azerbaijani subordination. The American side can only guarantee that the destruction of Artsakh and Artsakh Armenians will not happen at once, in one day, or in one week, but will last several months, or maybe years. This is also what Pashinyan wants, because as we mentioned, Pashinyan does not need Artsakh to be emptied at once.

Aliyev announced just two months ago that he was going to launch a special military operation in Artsakh to demilitarize Artsakh and denationalize it. In the months of April and May, the Azerbaijani authorities hoped that the Ukrainian counter-offensive would be lightning fast, the front of the Russian resistance would collapse, and they would quietly send troops into Artsakh, without worrying about meeting the resistance of the defeated Russian army. Although the Ukrainian offensive started on June 4 has successes, they are insignificant, in some parts of the front, the initiative has passed into the hands of the Russians and they are occupying territories. Many Western experts believe that the offensive potential of the Ukrainian army may be completely exhausted by the fall, and if the front stabilizes, then Ukraine will have no choice but to agree to negotiations and recognize its territorial losses. to prevent new losses. The United States has already announced that negotiations are possible only to stop the advance of the Russian army. The West, Pashinyan and Aliyev understand that they have little time left to break Artsakh’s resistance. Before the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the people of Artsakh should accept Azerbaijani citizenship, which will give Azerbaijan a legitimate opportunity to demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from Artsakh, Azerbaijan will be able to say that it can independently ensure the safety of its citizens, and the presence of Russians is unnecessary. that they have little time left to break the resistance of Artsakh. Before the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the people of Artsakh should accept Azerbaijani citizenship, which will give Azerbaijan a legitimate opportunity to demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from Artsakh, Azerbaijan will be able to say that it can independently ensure the safety of its citizens, and the presence of Russians is unnecessary. that they have little time left to break the resistance of Artsakh. Before the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the people of Artsakh should accept Azerbaijani citizenship, which will give Azerbaijan a legitimate opportunity to demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from Artsakh, Azerbaijan will be able to say that it can independently ensure the safety of its citizens, and the presence of Russians is unnecessary.

If Vagif Khachatryan writes a petition asking Aliyev to forgive him, Azerbaijan will turn him into a symbol of the Artsakh-Azerbaijani dialogue, to show what a bright future awaits the dialoguers under the Azerbaijani government.

Avetis Babajanyan

#Artsakh “Nagorno Karabakh” meets the criteria set forth by the Montevideo Convention for statehood. Video

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We have obtained and translated this information from Dr. David NANIGIAN, Ph.D., MBA Video

Artsakh’s status as an internationally unrecognized state is often discussed in relation to its recognition by UN resolutions, which call for either territorial integrity or the right to self-determination. However, many people, including myself, may not fully grasp the implications of international law and how it interprets these terms, which sound quite weighty and significant. To shed some light on this matter, I’ll explain the key points briefly.

Firstly, let’s understand what constitutes an internationally recognized state according to international law. States are entities that are members of the United Nations and have been acknowledged and approved by existing member states. The criteria for statehood are outlined in Article One of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. This convention, now considered international law, is applicable to all nations and defines the necessary qualifications for statehood:

  1. A permanent population,
  2. A defined territory,
  3. A government, and
  4. The capacity to enter relations with other states.

The first criterion requires a state to have a stable and enduring population within a specific geographical area. There is no minimum number of inhabitants required. For instance, the Republic of Nauru, which had a population of only 6,500 when it gained independence in 1968, met this criterion. In comparison, when Artsakh declared independence in 1991, it had a population of approximately 189,000, predominantly Armenians, thus fulfilling the first qualification.

The second criterion demands a state to possess a generally defined territory, though precise borders are not necessary. Several states, including Israel, were admitted into the UN without having their final borders defined after World War Two. Artsakh declared its independence within the defined territory of the so-called Nagorno Karabakh autonomous oblast, which was part of the Azerbaijani Soviet Republic. Today, Artsakh covers an area of about 4,400 square kilometers, demonstrating a generally defined territory since its independence, fulfilling the second qualification.

The third criterion mandates the presence of a government with some level of control over the state and its citizens. There is no requirement for a specific form of government structure. Artsakh has its own fully functional government, established just 20 days after the independence referendum. As of 2020, it has a constitution, a ministry of foreign affairs, a police force, and regularly holds presidential and legislative elections in a democratic manner, thereby fulfilling the third qualification.

In summary, Artsakh meets the criteria set forth by the Montevideo Convention for statehood. It has a permanent population, a defined territory, and a functioning government, thus satisfying the essential prerequisites to be considered an internationally recognized state, irrespective of its formal recognition by other countries.

In 2020, Freedom House, an independent organization, ironically gave Azerbaijan a political rights score of two out of 40, while Nagorno-Karabakh, a region included in the same report, scored 13 out of 40. This difference in scores indicates a significant contrast in their political freedom, with Nagorno-Karabakh appearing 6.5 times more politically free than Azerbaijan.

Despite not being internationally recognized as a state, Artsakh, as Nagorno-Karabakh is also known, fulfills the criteria for statehood according to the Montevideo Convention. It boasts a stable and effective system of government since declaring independence. Moreover, it meets the third criteria by having the capacity for relations with other states, demonstrated by maintaining permanent representative offices in several countries.

The final criteria for statehood involve the ability to act independently as a state without reliance on other states. Artsakh has a self-defense army and demonstrated its capability to enter into international relations by being a signing party in the 1994 ceasefire agreement.

However, the lack of international recognition poses challenges for Artsakh’s interactions with other states, as it hinders formal acknowledgment and membership in international bodies like the UN. Despite this, according to Article 3 of the Montevideo Convention, Artsakh still has the right to defend its integrity and independence, even before recognition.

International recognition is crucial for Artsakh to fully exercise its international rights and duties. It should be noted that the recognition of a new state is purely a political decision and depends on the interests of existing states. The criteria for statehood must be met before any recognition, and it is not compulsory for existing states to recognize new ones.

The process of recognition involves considering factors such as the means by which the state came into existence, whether through force, territorial acquisition, racial discrimination, etc. Self-determination is a guiding principle that legitimizes the use of force in pursuit of people’s right to determine their own political status, as demonstrated in the case of Bangladesh in 1971.

In summary, Artsakh fulfills the criteria for statehood, operates as a de facto state, and has the right to act as a state even without international recognition. However, recognition by other states remains essential for it to fully exercise its international rights and responsibilities.

The acceptance of the independence of Bangladesh was based on the exercise of their right to self-determination. This right, recognized by international law and the UN Charter, is frequently mentioned in the conflict. Advocates argue for the legitimacy of Bangladesh as an independent state, highlighting the historical presence of the Bengali people in the region.

Throughout history, the Bengali people have faced foreign domination but maintained some level of autonomy under various empires, including during their time within the Soviet Union as an administrative division or oblast. However, their rights were restricted, and discrimination persisted under Azerbaijani and Soviet authorities. This situation worsened when Azerbaijan imposed economic blockades, depriving the people of essential resources.

The concept of self-determination is permissible for a population living under foreign rule and enduring gross human rights violations. However, this right is constrained by the principle of territorial integrity, which also holds legal significance in international law and is recognized by the UN Charter.

Azerbaijan claims territorial integrity, including over the Artsakh region. Still, this claim lacks a legal basis because when Azerbaijan separated from the Soviet Union, autonomous oblasts like Artsakh had the right to decide their future, including the possibility of independence. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic exercised this right by proclaiming independence two days after Azerbaijan’s Declaration of Independence. A referendum held in December 1991 resulted in an overwhelming vote for independence, making Artsakh’s Declaration of Independence lawful and valid.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s historical claim to the Artsakh territory during its initial independence request in 1991 lacks legitimacy, as the region was disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the time. This further supports the notion that Azerbaijan has no legitimate territorial rights over Artsakh.

Despite Artsakh’s legal basis for independence and its current de facto state, the international community has been hesitant to recognize the Republic of Artsakh. The reasons for this reluctance remain complex and multifaceted.

Recognition depends solely on the self-interest of the international community. This reveals a significant flaw in the legal aspect of international relations. The world, as we all know, often prioritizes financial gains over justice. Consequently, oil-rich Azerbaijan enjoys greater financial value compared to a small state seeking to live peacefully and exercise its rights. Moreover, the pressure from involved parties, such as Turkey siding firmly with Azerbaijan due to historical aggression against anything Armenian, further complicates the quest for independence for the state of Artsakh.

The Armenian people have learned from this situation that despite Azerbaijan’s illegitimate reasons for aggression, violation of human rights, and perpetration of war crimes, including heinous acts like beheading prisoners of war and targeting religious and medical facilities, the international response remains insufficient. Azerbaijan resorts to using lies and deception to shape a media narrative, even with evidence from reputable organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch pointing to their use of cluster bombs.

Regrettably, no state in the world has taken substantial action to protect the Armenian people from the threat of genocide, except for the Republic of Armenia itself. Consequently, it falls upon each individual to pray and pressure their leaders to prioritize justice over financial interests. This is a clear-cut case, and Armenians worldwide have voiced their concerns loudly, but they should not have to face this struggle alone. The Republic of Artsakh and its people have the rightful claim to live peacefully in their homeland, as supported both legally and historically, for Artsakh is Armenia.

Endless Crime by Ruthless Dictators: #Lukashenko and #Aliyev

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Endless Crime by Dictators:

Lukashenko went a step further by extraditing Alexander Lapshin, an Israeli citizen, to Azerbaijan where he was subjected to torture under the orders of President Aliyev. It seemed like a death sentence for Lapshin, but fortunately, being an Israeli citizen offered some protection. Such actions demonstrate how dictators share similar oppressive tactics.

In May 2021, Lukashenko forced a Ryanair flight to land and abducted journalist Protasevich from @nexta_tv.

Similarly, in July 2023, Aliyev halted a Red Cross vehicle in Nagorno-Karabakh and kidnapped an elderly citizen (source: twitter.com/anigrig_j/status…). Dictators like Lukashenko and Aliyev continue to exhibit reckless and authoritarian behavior.

Azerbaijan abducts a 68-year-old #Artsakh citizen who was being transferred for medical treatment in #Armenia

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Ruben Vardanyan

Today, Azerbaijan detained a 68-year-old #Artsakh citizen who was being transferred for medical treatment in #Armenia with the help of the ICRC. The man was taken from the checkpoint to an unknown location. This act of kidnapping, even involving the

@ICRC, is deeply troubling. It serves as yet another proof that Azerbaijan disregards any agreement, even those reached with international assistance. The peace talks appear to be futile and insincere when Azerbaijan acts with impunity. Can you imagine the potential consequences if we agree to accept “humanitarian aid” from Aghdam? It may lead to a chain of kidnappings and killings. The Baku leadership continually demonstrates its harmful intentions toward the #Armenian people. Urgently, Azerbaijan must release the Artsakh citizen, and the international community must take decisive actions to prevent this genocidal policy from persisting. The illegal checkpoint on the Lachin corridor should be demolished immediately.

Breaking: Artsakh Invokes Remedial Secession, Urges United Nations Member States To Recognize Its Independence To Prevent Genocide

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The Artsakh Parliament has appealed to United Nations member states to recognize the independence of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic based on the principle of Remedial Secession,

with all the norms of international law, to save it from the threat of genocide by Azerbaijan, in a statement released today. Artsakh lawmakers said that recognition of Artsakh’s independence by UN member states would be a reliable guarantee of security for its people & would create conditions conducive to the normal life of the Artsakh people in its homeland, as well as ensure stability & long-term peace in the region. The Parliament referenced the UN Charter,

the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention & Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the 1950 European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms, and other international treaties as a basis for the international recognition of the NKR’s independence. The Parliament argues the people of Artsakh voted in favor of their independence in the September 21, 1991 referendum & that the NKR Supreme Council declared the country’s independence on January 6, 1992. The statement reads: “It is undeniable that there are all the necessary grounds for recognition. The Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) exercised its right to self-determination without violating the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, without violating the relevant provisions of the USSR Constitution, the definition of the Law of April 3, 1990, On the Withdrawal of Union Republics from the USSR, according to which Autonomous republics & autonomous entities have the right to decide independently the issue of staying in the union or in the union republic leaving its composition, as well as to regulate the issue of their own state legal status, all the norms of international law.”

Source: Zartonk Media

Pashinyan Turning Azerbaijan into Angel State, Sumgait, and Maragha genocides was removed from the RA Prosecutor’s Office

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The Sumgait section, which contained very valuable and factual materials about Azerbaijani crimes against humanity, was removed from the official website of the RA Prosecutor’s Office.

Pastinfo reports. The department was opened back in 2010, where the materials of the criminal cases initiated in connection with the massacres of Armenians in the territory of Soviet Azerbaijan in the late 1980s and Nagorno Karabakh in the early 1990s were published. The “Sumgait” page had 4 sections with its subsections according to the types of committed crimes and administrative areas.

In particular, in the “Sumgait” section, the testimonies of the witnesses, the testimonies of the victims and their successors regarding the murders, rapes, violence and robberies were published, in the “Documents” section, the already declassified references summarizing the materials of the criminal case. In the “Mountain Karabakh” section, the materials of the criminal case were placed according to administrative-territorial units, including the materials related to the Maragha genocide. At that time, the Prosecutor’s Office digitized the criminal case materials in cooperation with the non-governmental organization “Initiative for the Prevention of Xenophobia”, and participation in digitization was voluntary. The department was created on the basis of the electronic archive, that is, it contained only documentary evidence, preventing the falsification and concealment of crimes committed against humanity. A few days ago,

“Pastinfo” noticed that the “Sumgait” section was removed from the website of the prosecutor’s office. In order to find out the reasons for the removal of the large-scale and important work of historical importance from the official website, the media contacted the press and public relations department of the RA Prosecutor’s Office, where they first reacted with surprise, then asked for time to find out whether there is such information on the website or not. , and later, they gave the reason that due to the implementation of technical works related to the site, the materials of the section are currently unavailable, assuring that after the completion of the work on the modernization of the site, the section summarizing the materials of eyewitnesses telling about the genocides of Sumgait and Maragha, with the entire volume of information, will be available for website visitors. The “Pastinfo” news agency will be consistent in finding out and publishing about the progress of the work on the restoration of the electronic archive, which is highly valuable for history. News from Armenia – NEWS.am Print

Armenian Nationwide rallies against the blockade of Artsakh force Pashinyan to capitulate and send aid to Artsakh Video.

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On July 25, at the same time, nationwide rallies were held on Renaissance Square in Stepanakert and on Freedom Square in Yerevan demanding the unblocking of Artsakh and the realization of its right to self-determination.

The 120,000 population of Artsakh has been living under the blockade organized by Azerbaijan for seven months. The photo sequence tells about the rally that took place in Yerevan, after which its participants went to the Yerablur military pantheon.