Monthly History devotes a 50-page dossier on “Armenians XXᵉ the first genocide of the century”

January 23, 2015 By administrator

Monthly History (No. 408 dated February 2015) just spent a record 50 pages on the Armenian genocide on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. “There are a hundred years the government of the Young Turks committed the first genocide of the twentieth century decimated the Armenian community, yet well integrated into the Ottoman Empire. We understand better now the ideology that motivated managers and mechanics of the relentless massacre. Boris Adjemian, Taner Akcam, Annette Becker, Hamit Bozarslan Pierre Chuvin, Duclert Vincent, François Georgeon Raymond Kevorkian, Claire Mouradian, Mikaël Nichanian and Yves Ternon “written history. Available from all newsagents (6.40 euros).

Krikor Amirzayan

Unpublished documents on the Armenian Genocide soon be published by the Vatican

January 22, 2015 By administrator

Before the hundredth commemoration of Armenian Genocide Vatican will publish a book documented from its secret archives. The announcement was made at the opening of the exhibition “Lux Arcana”. In its archives, the Vatican has a number of documents that reflect the genocidal done on the Armenian people. These will be announced shortly co-published with the Vatican Archives.

Reportedly, the official said Secret Archives, Monsignor Sergio Pagano, describe “in detail” the “torture procedures used the Turks against the Armenians.” For example, he said, “there is evidence of how the soldiers of the Sublime Porte were willing to bet” on the sex of the fetus in the womb of pregnant women before cutting them into quarters and with the same knife they killing babies. “

These episodes, said the Archivist of the Vatican, “make me ashamed to be a man, and if it were not for faith I would see only darkness.”

The Catholic Church is still waiting for a recognition of the genocide by the Turkish state, although recently some progress has been made. For example, it has become easier to make pilgrimages to the church of Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul.

It is likely that the publication of these documents will revive tensions between the Holy See and Turkey. But that is the price that the truth will come out in the open to the chagrin of Holocaust deniers.

Thursday, January 22, 2015,
Jean Eckian © armenews.com

Diyarbakir: Kışanak: every moment losses to account those who killed Hrant Dink

January 21, 2015 By administrator

Diyarbakir Diyarbakir Armenians of Turkey Peace Assembly Secretariat, 20 January Kayapınar Cultural Center Conference Hall “Hrant Dink Memorial Panel” was held.

Panel Mayor of Diyarbakir, as well as HDPE Gültan Kışanak Co-Deputy Chairman Meral Danis jacks, Diyarbakır Bar Association Chairman Tahir Envoy joined with the citizens.

Gültan Kışanak, human values in Dink’s party, fraternity, said the land of how to get rich but one of these infertile lands they remember how much effort they exerted.

They could not get the Hrant Dink murder those aspirations. They are of Armenian people living in this land, the voice of Hrant which to attempt to be a pale silence, they believe that they will turn a page,” said Kışanak, Dink, of the land in the Armenian people forever will also live as a symbol of brotherhood of peoples, he said.

“Turkey Unsolved Murders cemetery”

Dink’s murder by about recently that new developments and Kışanak reminded that the arrests related to the case, “When Hrant slaughterers and accountability across society his back olds availability for this country is a great loss to humanity. Turkey turned into almost unsolved murders graveyard case. They örtündük above, the powers behind gizlendik, giving them the courage to pull the trigger, we will continue to protect them mentality came blackout “he said.

After the panel, lived 22 years after the US homeland to come to settle in Diyarbakir Armenian artist Udi Yervant Bostanci and Ilhan another Armenian artist Stefan, Kurdish, Turkish and Armenian sang songs. (AA)

When the presenter of the Armenian TV “Yerkir Media” cried live on the announcement of the death of Serioja

January 21, 2015 By administrator

Any Armenia is in mourning after the death of Serioja Avetisyan, the last survivor of the massacre of his family in Gyumri. The doctors were at the bedside of seriously injured and infant in a coma, trying to save him. At the announcement of the death Serioja directly on Armenian TV channel “Yerkir Media”, the presenter was unable to hold back her tears. She wiped her eyes in front of thousands of viewers who were also shed a few tears in Armenia in shock.

Krikor Amirzayan

Harut Sassounian in Issy-les-Moulineaux January 24

January 21, 2015 By administrator

Armenians demand justice, not just genocide recognition

Publisher and editor in chief of the California Courier, columnist, television commentator, recognized political analyst and activist of Human Rights, Harut SASSOUNIAN give a lecture at Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Saturday, January 24 to 18h (1).

Specialist in geopolitical relations in the Middle East, he speaks fluent English, French, Arabic, Turkish and Armenian. For ten years, from 1978 to 1988, he was Chief of Human Rights at the United Nations.

His role was crucial in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and the UN minority protection.

Deeply attached to his Armenian roots, he founded and presides over a coalition of five major Armenian-American charities, the Fund Armenian Kingdom. Since the 1988 earthquake, more than 700 million dollars of humanitarian aid were sent to Armenia.

As Vice-President of the Lincy Foundation’s Kirk Kerkorian, he also oversaw the construction of infrastructure in Armenia, totaling $ 242 million.

Advisor to the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora, he also a member of the Advisory Board of the Armenian National Committee of United States. Through his research, he was able to write many books, including the book “Armenian Genocide: Documents and Declarations”.

His actions to promote human rights have earned it the highest awards and recognitions from many countries and international organizations, including the Medal of Honor Ellis Island for the US or the Medal Honorary Anania Shiragatsi by the President of Armenia.

Armenian investigators are interrogating Valery Permyakov

January 21, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN. – Armenian investigators are at the Russian military base in Gyumri and are interrogating Valery Permyakov, Russian serviceman who stands accused in murder of the Avetisyan family.

Spokesperson for the Armenian investigative committee Sona Truzyan confirmed reports for the Armenian News-NEWS.am. She also confirmed the reports that charges were brought against Permyakov.

As reported earlier, six members of the Avetisyan family—including a two-year-old girl—were shot dead, and a six-month-old baby—Seryozha Avetisyan—was wounded in their house in Gyumri on January 12; but the baby boy died in hospital on Monday.

Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian Military Base in the city, stands accused in this crime. Permyakov was apprehended by the Russian border guards near the Armenian-Turkish border on the same night, he was arrested on January 14, and he is held in custody at the Russian military base.

The soldier is charged under Russian law, with “the murder of more than two people” and “desertion with a service weapon.” The Investigative Committee of Armenia also has launched a criminal case on these murders.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia had stated that Valery Permyakov will face justice under Russian law, and this information had provoked a wave of protests in Armenia, especially in Gyumri and capital city Yerevan.

Armenia, Candles in Liberty Square to honor memory of Seryozha Avetisyan

January 20, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN. – The residents of Yerevan have been bringing candles, flowers and toys to Liberty Square from early morning of Tuesday to honor memory of six-month-old Seryozha Avetisyan.

The photo of Seryozha and his 2-year-old sister, also murdered in Gyumri, was put on the steps of the Opera house. The families with their children are coming to Liberty Square to light candles.

Candles and toys have been brought to the Avetisyan’s house in Gyumri from the very moment when the reports on Seryozha’s death appeared.

As reported earlier, six-month-old Seryozha Avetisyan died on Monday. Other six members of his family were killed last week. Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian Military Base in the city, stands accused in this crime.

The soldier is charged under Russian law, with “the murder of more than two people,” and “desertion with a service weapon.” The Investigative Committee of Armenia also has launched a criminal case on the murders.

Putin Vows Justice In Armenian Family Massacre

January 19, 2015 By administrator

Armenia — President Serzh Sarkisian (R) with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin visit the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri, December 2, 2013.

By Emil Danielyan,

Signaling concerns over unprecedented anti-Russian protests in Gyumri, President Vladimir Putin reportedly assured his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian on Sunday that Moscow will help to punish those responsible for the killing of six members of a local Armenian family. Report azatutyun.am

According to official Russian and Armenian sources, Putin telephoned Sarkisian to “once again express condolences to the relatives of the victims and the entire Armenian people” in connection with the slaughter allegedly perpetrated by a Russian soldier.

“The president of Russia expressed confidence that all necessary investigative actions will be taken within shortest time frames and that all the guilty will receive punishment envisaged by the law,” read a statement released by the Kremlin.

The statement said Putin also expressed hope that Russian medics who have arrived in Yerevan will help their Armenian colleagues save the life of the 6-month-old Seryozha Avetisian, the only survivor of the January 12 shooting spree. He said the Russian government is ready to transport the baby boy remaining in critical condition to Moscow for further treatment.

The Kremlin did not specify whether the two leaders discussed growing demands in Armenia for the Russian military to turn over the detained soldier, Valery Permyakov, to Armenian law-enforcement authorities. Moscow’s failure to do so has sparked angry protesters in Gyumri.

Many local residents fear that Russian authorities will cover up the shock crime if they handle the case. Hundreds of them clashed with riot police near the Russian consulate in Gyumri on Thursday. A larger number of Armenians protested outside the Gyumri headquarters of a Russian military base in Armenia the previous day.

A separate statement on the phone call issued by the Armenian presidential press service said Sarkisian and Putin stressed the need for “maximally close cooperation” between Russian and Armenian bodies investigating the killings. It said Sarkisian made clear that Armenian law-enforcement authorities will carry on with their efforts to “fully uncover all circumstances of the case.”

It was not clear whether the Armenian leader urged Putin to make sure that Permyakov, who has confessed to the killings, is tried in an Armenian court.

Both Armenian and Russian officials have indicated until now that the case will be taken up by a Russian military court located in Yerevan. The court has already remanded the 18-year-old conscript in pre-trial custody on charges of multiple murder and desertion.

On Thursday, Armenia’s Prosecutor-General Gevorg Kostanian promised, under pressure from the furious Gyumri protesters, to ask his Russian counterpart to transfer the suspect to Armenian jurisdiction. The pledge did not satisfy many in the crowd of about 2,000 people, resulting in a march to the Russian consulate, which was forcibly stopped by Armenian security forces.

Significantly, the Russian government has not yet officially condemned or criticized the unprecedented unrest in a country where public opinion has traditionally been in favor of close links with Russia. But many pundits in Moscow, including those close to the Kremlin, have rung alarm bells, warning of serious damage to Russian-Armenian ties. Some of them have even suggested that continued Russian military presence in the South Caucasus state may now be at risk.

This might explain why Putin decided to phone Sarkisian almost one week after the tragedy. He made no official statements on the matter until then, a fact contrasting with the Kremlin’s claim that the Russian president “once again” offered his condolences.

The Russian news agency RBK on Friday quoted an unnamed Russian security official as saying that Moscow has not yet made a final decision regarding Permyakov’s extradition to the Armenian side. The official said the suspect’s fate will be determined by Russia’s political leadership.

Under a bilateral treaty signed in 1997, soldiers of the Russian military base in Gyumri accused of crimes committed outside their units shall be dealt with by Armenian law-enforcement and judicial bodies. At the same time, Russia’s constitution prohibits the extradition of Russian nationals to any foreign state. This is the official reason why Permyakov remains in Russian military custody.

The soldier was reportedly caught by Russian border guards in Armenia while attempting to cross into Turkey more than 12 hours after the family massacre. They are said to have sent him back to the Russian base, which he deserted while being at a guard post overnight. Some Armenian government critics question this official theory, saying that Yerevan may have deliberately let the Russians capture their fugitive soldier.

Despite keeping custody of Permyakov, the Russian military has not only allowed Armenian investigators to question the suspect but also assigned him an Armenian defense attorney. The lawyer, Tamara Yayloyan, told the “168 Zham” newspaper on Saturday that she decided to abandon the case after attending an interrogation of her client.

“My refusal was unprofessional, but I just couldn’t control my emotions,” explained Yayloyan. “True, I have dealt with many murder cases for the past 17-18 years … But never before have I dealt with a case involving the murder of an infant. That had a big emotional impact on me.”

According to Yayloyan, Permyakov told his interrogators that he had never had contact with any of the murdered members of the Avetisian family before breaking into their Gyumri house early on January 12. He said he randomly picked the modest house to ask its residents for water.

The resulting shooting spree left a middle-aged couple, their daughter, son, daughter-in-law and 2-year-old granddaughter dead.

“[Permyakov] was asked, ‘Why did you shoot?’” the lawyer revealed to “168 Zham.” “He said, ‘I don’t know, they made noise, one of them reached for a mobile phone and I opened fire.’ When asked why he stabbed the babies he said, ‘I don’t know.’ He responded to almost every question with ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I can’t explain.’”

Armenian pogroms in Baku: The New York Times – Indifference and silence can cause another genocide

January 17, 2015 By administrator

It is signed by more than 130 human rights activists, public figures and scientists from different countries of Europe and America

The New York Times, July 27, 1990.
blishing the series of evidences of the eyewitness, statements of political and public figures about the Armenian pogroms held in Baku on 13-20 January 1990. The articles are posted on the website of KarabakhRecords.info
Indifference and silence can cause another genocide…

An open letter to international public opinion on anti-Armenia pogroms in the Soviet Union

It is signed by more than 130 human rights activists, public figures and scientists from different countries of Europe and America

The New York Times, July 27, 1990.

An era which we all thought ended, the era of pogroms, has resurfaced. Once again this year, the Armenian community of Azerbaijan has been the victim of atrocious and intolerable premeditated massacres.

As scholars, writers, scientists, political leaders and artists we wish, first of all, to express our profound indignation over such barbaric acts, which we wanted to believe belonged to humanity’s past. We intend this statement as more than an after-the-fact condemnation. We want to alert international public opinion to the continuing danger that racism represents to the future of humanity. It forebodes ill that we are experiencing the same powerlessness when faced with such flagrant violations of human rights a half century after the genocide of the Jewish people in Nazi concentration camps and forty years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It would be inexcusable if, because of our silence now, we contributed to the suffering of new victims.

The situation of Armenians in the Caucasus is, in fact, too serious for us to remain silent. There are moments when we must assume the moral obligation to assist a people in peril. Our sense of obligation leads us today to appeal to the international community and to public opinion.

More than two years ago, active persecution against Armenians began in Azerbaijan. The pogroms of Sumgait in February 1988 were followed by massacres in Kirovabad and Baku in November 1988. As recently as January 1990, the pogroms continued in Baku and other parts of Azerbaijan. The mere fact that these pogroms were repeated and the fact that they followed the same pattern, leads us to think that these tragic events are no accidents or spontaneous outbursts.

Rather we are compelled to recognize that the crimes against the Armenian minority have become consistent practice – if not consistent policy – in Soviet Azerbaijan. According, to the late Andrei Sakharov (New York Times, November 26, 1988), these pogroms constitute “a real threat of extermination” to the indigenous Armenian community in Azerbaijan and in the autonomous region of Mountainous Karabakh, whose inhabitants are 80 percent Armenian.

Horror has no limits, especially when we remember that the threat is against the Armenian people, who in 1915 paid dearly for their right to be different in the Ottoman Empire. There, Armenians lost half their population to genocide, the worst consequence of racism. Furthermore, if the recent pogroms have revived nightmares of extermination not yet overcome, the current total blockade of Armenia and Mountainous Karabakh and 85 percent of those into Armenia pass through Azerbaijan; it would not be an exaggeration to maintain that such a blockade amounts to the strangulation of Armenia. In a land devastated by the earthquake of December 7, 1988, the blockade has paralyzed the economy and dealt a mortal blow to the reconstruction efforts.

It is our sincere hope that perestroika will succeed. But we also hope for the success of glasnost and democratization. We recognize that the passage from a totalitarian state to a rule of law cannot be achieved overnight. It is nonetheless necessary that in the process of transition, the government of the Soviet Union promote legalize and institutionalize such critical forces for democracy as human rights, the principle of toleration, and democratic movements. There is no better defense and demonstration of democracy. At any rate, that is the only way to avoid the worst. In the case of the multinational state, the, worst may mean threats to the right of a people or a minority to exist. It is during periods of transition and uncertainty that rights of peoples – today Armenians, tomorrow another people or minority – are threatened or denied. In this respect, the ease with which we see today the development in the USSR of racist movements, especially the anti-Semitic movement known as Paymat, is for us cause for grave concern.

In the name of our duty of vigilance, we demand that Soviet authorities as well as the international community condemn univocally these anti-Armenian pogroms and that they denounce especially the racist ideology which has been used by the perpetrators of these crimes as justification.

We ask from the Soviet authorities and the international community that all necessary measures be taken immediately to ensure the protection and security of Armenians in the Caucasus and other parts of the Soviet Union. This can begin by bringing about a definitive lifting of the Azerbaijani blockade. It should be clear that the forceful deportation of Armenians is not the solution to the problem of Mountainous Karabakh which, in essence, is a problem of human rights.

The international community of states under the rule of law must prove the authenticity of its commitment to human rights in order to ensure that, due to indifference and silence bordering on complicity, another genocide does not occur.

It is signed by more than 130 human rights activists, public figures and scientists from different countries of Europe and America

The New York Times, July 27, 1990.

Western US Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee Outlines Upcoming Programs

January 16, 2015 By administrator

GLENDALE—The Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of the Western United States (AGCC-WUSA) during a press conference it hosted on Wednesday announced five major events its body is organizing in Los Angeles to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and published a list of events that will take place throughout the Western United States.

During a press conference held at Phoenicia Restaurant, Co-Chairs Garo Ghazarian, Esq., and Taline Yacoubian, Esq., announced the committee’s active preparations to commemorate the souls of the 1.5 million massacred Armenians and to duly honor the lives of both Genocide survivors and heroes who facilitated the sacred mission of rescue and relief.

With the motto of “We Remember. We Demand,” Ghazarian kicked off the press conference and in a moving presentation pledged the Armenian-American community’s commitment to commemorate the Armenian Genocide centennial in a dignified manner befitting the memory of the martyrs.

He also highlighted the community’s commitment to the pursuit of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the necessary territorial and monetary reparations and restitution that have been the cornerstone of the struggle for justice for the Armenian Genocide.

“It is an honor to work with 19 organizations and religious leaders in a joint effort to honor the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide,” remarks Co-chair Ghazarian. “A Century later, we continue to prove our people’s resilience and strength as evidenced across our Diasporan communities worldwide. Through our collaborative and dynamic events we will feature the robust and thriving spirit of our Armenian-American communities in the Western United States.”

In her remarks, Yacoubian focused on the committee’s plans to establish an Armenian-American museum in Glendale, explaining that a sub-committee under the auspices of the AGCC has been hard at work in realizing this effort. She added that the parcel of land has already been allocated by the City of Glendale and requests for proposal on architectural bids have already been publicized.

Yacoubian also announced that the committee has been consultation with the New York-based Lord Cultural Resource Inc. for the curatorial aspect of the museum. The company, she said, is a renowned entity that has worked with several well-known museums in the country.

“This not a pipe dream as some people may say,” said Ghazarian about the plans for the museum. “It is a reality and it will be a great accomplishment.

On April 14, 23, 24 and 26, 2015, tens of thousands will gather in Los Angeles to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. While honoring the lives of martyred ancestors, communities will also give thanks for the creation of a new Armenia and for the flourishing Armenian communities around the world forged by the will and heroism of Genocide survivors.

Five major events will carry these themes forward:
On April 14, a special ecumenical service at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, will take place with the participation of representatives and interfaith leaders from various churches and religious denominations. Civic officials from the City of Los Angeles will also be in attendance. Prayers of remembrance, respect, and unity will signal a powerful message of solidarity to mark the commencement of the commemorative events taking place in the following weeks.

On April 23, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church and His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America will host a solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral with the participation of all Armenian churches.

On April 24, The March for Justice is the largest in the series of AGCC-WUSA hosted events. Participants will gather at 10AM in Little Armenia and will march in solidarity for 6 miles to the Turkish Consulate in the Wilshire District to protest the Turkish government’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide. This Pan-Armenian March will unite, without exception, the Armenian community in its quest for justice while demonstrating collective strength and spirit. Protesters will thank those who have helped to spread awareness of the Armenian Genocide, and those who work tirelessly to prevent genocide elsewhere in the world.

On April 25, mourners will gather at the Armenian Genocide Monument at Bicknell Park, 910 Via San Clemente in Montebello for a solemn gathering to honor the lives of the 1.5 million Armenians massacred in the Armenian Genocide. This annual commemoration includes a candle light vigil at the helm of the Martyrs monument.

On April 26, the City of Glendale hosts an annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. This year they will partner with the AGCC to host a joint event commemorating the 100th anniversary at the Alex Theater. This event will include screening of documentaries, musical performances, and a key note speaker. Further details will be announced.

“Our goal is to bring the entire Armenian-American community together on the solemn occasion of the Genocide’s Centennial,” commented Co-Chair Yacoubian. “As we gather in remembrance to honor the lives and memories of our martyred grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great grandparents, we will pay tribute to those individuals and organizations who rescued and rehabilitated the survivors of the Genocide for whom we are, and will remain, eternally grateful.”

The AGCC-WUSA was established to steer and coordinate the multifaceted commemorative activities in the Western United States and is composed of nineteen (19) Armenian organizations, including religious institutions.

The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide signifies a global demand for justice by Armenians worldwide and all people of good will. The Centennial marks one of the 20th century’s greatest crimes against humanity. In 1915, the Turkish Government began a premeditated and systematic campaign to uproot the Armenian population from its ancestral homeland and slaughter 1.5 million defenseless men, women and children. Turkey must finally acknowledge its responsibility for the Genocide and make appropriate moral, financial and territorial restitution, as mandated by the fundamental norms of international law and civilized society.