UAE foreign minister condemns downing of Russian jet by Turkey

December 1, 2015 By administrator

ABU DHABI – Doğan News Agency Report

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan has condemned the downing of a Russian jet by Turkish F-16s, while addressing the fifth meeting of the UAE-Russia joint ministerial committee at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking back on Nov. 27, al-Nahyan also underlined the UAE’s condemnation of a series of terrorist acts that recently struck many countries.

He criticized Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian SU-24 jet along with the deadly downing of a Russian airplane in Egypt that was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The statement did not address Turkey’s name directly, but simply condemned the downing of the jet.

A Russian SU-24 fighter jet was shot down by Turkey near the Syrian border due to the violation of Turkish airspace on Nov. 24.

Russian Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov chaired Moscow’s delegation at the UAE-Russia joint meeting, which was also attended by UAE Minister of State Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan al-Jaber, a number of senior officials and business representatives from both countries.

Ways to enhance bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation were also discussed at the meeting.

Armenia condemns Turkey who shot down a Russian plane

November 26, 2015 By administrator

In a show of support to its main military ally, Armenia yesterday condemned Turkey who shot down a Russian military aircraft. She added that it undermines international efforts to fight against terrorist groups operating in Syria.

Ohanian, Minister of Defence, at the same time urged the international community to prevent a further escalation of Russian-Turkish tensions. Analysts say it would be dangerous for the security in Armenia.

“I think, at a time when the international community focused on the fight against international terrorism, this may be experienced as a direct blow in the direction of these efforts,” said Ohanian in what was the first Armenian reaction the incident on Tuesday near the Syrian-Turkish border.

Russian Su-24 bomber was shot by a Turkish F-16 fighter after attacking rebel forces in a Syrian area north of the Turkish border. Ankara insists that the warplane was destroyed because he had violated the airspace of Turkey, a claim strongly denied by Moscow.

Speaking a few hours after the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin has described as a “stab in the back” led by “accomplices of terrorists” and warned that it would have “serious consequences” for Russia Relations -turques.

The incident and ensuing recriminations raised concerns about the fact that Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base deployed along its closed border with Turkey, can be drawn into a potential military confrontation between the two powers regional. Some Russian politicians and pro-government experts have called the Kremlin to strengthen this base with more advanced weapons.

The base is already equipped with 18 MiG-29 fighter jets, a similar number of attack helicopters and air defense systems S-300. A security threat because Turkey has long been the main official reason for the Russian military presence in Armenia.

According to the authority of the Civil Aviation of Armenia, the Turkish military helicopters violated the airspace of Armenia twice early October, just days after Ankara accused Russian aircraft of straying on Turkish territory Syria. Yerevan has chosen not to protest official.

Ohanian did not say if the units of the Armenian army near the border with Turkey and the Russian troops stationed in Armenia have been put on alert. “We have a business planning joint struggle with Russia and our actions we perform together as part of this planning,” he only said, remaining vague.

“We are a strategic partner of the Russian Federation,” said Ohanian. “I think we should wait and see how it evolves. World leaders will then take the appropriate decisions. “

“I think the international community must now also make efforts to prevent escalation,” he added at a joint press conference with Serbian Minister of Defence, Bratislav Gasic.

The Armenian government has been very critical à-vis the role of Turkey in the Syrian civil war. He pointed to Ankara after the Islamist rebels, including members of al-Qaeda Al Nosra Front, captured the Syrian city populated by Armenians, Kessab, and moved its 2000 inhabitants in March 2014.

Thursday, November 26, 2015,
Claire © armenews.com

FRANCE The CCAF condemns Perinçek ECHR judgment and requires the criminalization of Holocaust denial law in France

October 16, 2015 By administrator

“The judgment delivered today by the ECHR constitutes a serious attack on the memory of victims of the 1915 genocide and the dignity of their descendants, present in particular in European countries. Everyone knows the deniers and clearly referred antiarméniennes Mr Perinçek and the framework in which it operates. That judges mésestiment malicious and hateful to Mr. Pericenk and injuries that denial because the Armenians, especially in the specific context of 2015, commemorating the centenary of the genocide, is simply unacceptable.

The position expressed by a narrow majority (10 against 7) of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights, strongly criticized by the judges who dissented, is also inconsistent with that expressed by the overwhelming majority interveners’ third parties whose LICRA and FIDH.

The CFC strongly condemns this decision which disregards human dignity and reports of denial of justice.

However, it notes that this judgment, which sanctions the applicability of Swiss judges an uncontested legal standard in principle, marks an increase compared to that delivered in first instance, to the extent that it leaves the door open the criminalization of denial of the Armenian genocide. Implying that nothing prevents the adoption of a law to that effect by France, as it is particularly engaged the President of the Republic. The fight goes on.”

Friday, October 16, 2015,
Stéphane © armenews.com

Baghdad condemns Turkish incursion into Iraqi Kurdistan

September 11, 2015 By administrator

BAGHDAD,— Iraq on Thursday condemned Turkey for sending ground troops onto its territory in Kurdistan Region in pursuit of Kurdish rebels, calling it a “clear violation” of its sovereignty.
“The foreign ministry expresses its condemnation of the incursion of a number of Turkish military units inside Iraqi territory,” spokesman Ahmed Jamal said in a statement.
“It represents a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty and a clear offence to bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said.

Turkish special forces entered Iraq on Tuesday in what officials termed a “short-term” incursion in pursuit of fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) allegedly involved in attacks that killed more than two dozen soldiers and police.

Since it was established in 1984 the PKK has been fighting the Turkish state, which still denies the constitutional existence of Kurds, with the aim of creating an independent Kurdish state.

In the 1990s, the PKK limited its demands to establish an autonomous Kurdish region and more cultural rights for ethnic Kurds,who make up around 22.5 million of the country’s 75-million population but have long been denied basic political and cultural rights, its goal to political autonomy. A large Turkey’s Kurdish community openly sympathise with PKK rebels.

The PKK and Turkish forces are again trading attacks on the ground and from the air, upending a 2013 ceasefire between the two sides.

Source: ekurd.net

European Armenian Federation condemns Turkey terrorist attack on Suruc

July 28, 2015 By administrator

European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) President Kaspar Karampetian condemned the July 20 terrorist attack in the Kurdish-populated town of Suruc, Turkey and conveyed condolences to the families, Armenian Weekly reported.

“This terrorist act is all the more monstrous considering that the youth was gathered in Suruc to go and volunteer in Kobane, and assist the reconstruction of the city after the destruction by Daesh (ISIS). Our thoughts go to the families of those killed and the hundreds injured,” said Karampetian.

Karampetian stressed that the attack is clearly the result of the Turkish authorities’ open support of ISIS. “Sooner or later, Erdogan’s policy of supporting the terrorists in Syria would turn against him; unfortunately, this is the case now, with the loss of innocent young lives,” said Karampetian.

“The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy with all its organizations joins the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), the Party of European Socialists (PES), and the whole democratic world in condemning this terrorist act. It’s the moral obligation of democratic forces to support the Kurds in their fight for democracy and justice,” he added.

At least 31 people were killed and over 100 were injured in a terrorist attack on Monday.

European Parliament resolution condemns media crackdown in name of rule of law in Turkey, press freedom

January 15, 2015 By administrator

The European Parliament approved a resolution on freedom of expression in Turkey on Jan. 15, with most of the 593 members of the parliament voting for the measure’s adoption.

Out of the 593 MEPs, 511 of them approved the resolution titled “Freedom of expression in Turkey: Recent arrests of journalists, media executives and systematic pressure against media,” 11 voted against, while 31 MEPS abstained.

The resolution condemns the recent police raids and the detention of a number of journalists and media representatives on Dec. 14, 2014 in Turkey, stressing that “these actions call into question the respect for the rule of law and freedom of the media.”

“A free and pluralistic press is an essential component of any democracy,” said the resolution, which called on Turkey to “provide ample and transparent information on the allegations against the defendants, to grant the defendants full access to the incriminating evidence and full defense rights, and to ensure the proper handling of the cases to establish the veracity of the accusations without delay and beyond reasonable doubt.”

“Freedom of expression and the freedom of the media remain fundamental to the functioning of a democratic and open society,” it also stated.

The European Parliament also expressed concern over a “backsliding in democratic reforms,” noting a “diminishing tolerance of public protests and a critical media” while citing the arrests of journalists in the Dec. 14, 2014 operation as “a deplorable pattern of increased pressure and restriction of the press.”

The resolution urged Turkey to work on reforms that would provide adequate checks and balances fully guaranteeing freedom, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

It called on the Turkish government to address media freedom as a matter of priority and provide an adequate legal framework guaranteeing pluralism, in line with international standards.

It noted that Ankara’s Action Plan for the Prevention of Violations of the European Convention on Human Rights does not envisage a revision of all relevant provisions of the Anti-Terror Law or of the Criminal Code, which have been used to limit freedom of expression. It stressed the need to reform these laws as a matter of priority.

“Only a transparent and well-functioning civil society can build trust and confidence between different components of a lively and democratic society,” it added.

January/15/2015

Pope condemns ‘Islamic State’ in Christmas Day message

December 25, 2014 By administrator

In his annual Christmas “urbi et orbi” message, Pope Francis has condemned this year’s “brutal” religious persecution in the Middle East. He also urged for peace in Nigeria, Ukraine and other troubled regions.

Speaking at midday local time (1100 UTC) from the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica on Thursday, the 78-year-old pontiff addressed the Catholic congregation around the world as well as the tens of thousands who had gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“Christmas should bring a message of salvation to a world marred by conflict and suffering,” Pope Francis said Thursday as he called for an end to violence against “vast numbers of children.”

Reflecting on last week’s deadly attack on a Pakistani school in Peshawar, the Pope said: “Truly there are so many tears this Christmas.”

“May the power of Christ, which brings freedom and service, be felt in so many hearts afflicted by war, persecution and slavery [and] take away the hardness of heart of so many men and women immersed in worldliness and indifference,” he added.

‘Brutal persecution’

In his message the Pope also deplored child abuse and the practice of abortion. He called for an end to conflicts in African countries, and appealed for dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.

His toughest words, however, were reserved to defend victims of “Islamic State” (IS) fighters who have been killed or displaced for failing to share the group’s ideology.

“I ask him, the Saviour of the world, to look upon our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria, who for too long now have suffered the effects of ongoing conflict, and who, together with those belonging to other ethnic and religious groups, are suffering a brutal persecution,” Pope Francis said.

“May Christmas bring them hope, as indeed also to the many displaced persons, exiles and refugees, children, adults and elderly, from this region and from the whole world,” he added.

‘Tenderness’

Prior to delivering his Christmas Day message, the pontiff also posted on Twitter:

With Jesus there is true joy.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 25, 2014

On Christmas Eve, the pope celebrated a 90-minute mass in St Peter’s Basilica.. In his homily, he said “tenderness” was needed to heal the world.

ksb/es (Reuters, AFP, dpa)

PKK condemns Turkey’s military airstrikes against its fighters

October 14, 2014 By administrator

Members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party

Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has condemned Turkish military airstrikes against its fighters in the southeast of the country as violation of a ceasefire with the government.

The PKK issued a statement on Tuesday, saying the Turkish military airstrikes on its fighters violate a ceasefire agreed between the two sides two years ago.

“For the first time in nearly two years, an air operation was carried out against our forces by the occupying Turkish Republic army,” the PKK said in the statement, adding, “These attacks against two guerrilla bases at Daglica violated the cease-fire.”

The group added that the raids have not caused casualties among its members.

Turkish media reported earlier in the day that the military launched airstrikes on two PKK bases in the Daglica area in Hakkari Province close to the Iraqi border.

“F-16 and F-4 warplanes which took off from (bases in the southeastern provinces of) Diyarbakir and Malatya rained down bombs on PKK targets after they attacked a military outpost in the Daglica region,” Hurriyet daily said.

The strikes reportedly followed three days of PKK shelling on a military outpost in the Kurdish-majority province near the Iraqi border.

Ankara launched a peace process with the PKK in 2012 to end the Kurdish struggle for independence.

The PKK declared a ceasefire with Turkey last March after the PKK’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan ordered an end to the armed campaign for autonomy.

The attacks come as Kurds in Turkey are angry at the government for preventing them from crossing into neighboring Syria to join the fight against ISIL terrorists in the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani.

Ankara also refuses to intervene along its border with Syria where ISIL militants have besieged the mainly Kurdish town.

According to reports, the Takfiri militants have taken half of the Syrian city.

Armenian catholicos condemns violence against Iraqi Yezidis

August 25, 2014 By administrator

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II has condemned the continuing violence against the Yezidis of Iraq.

Priest Vahram Melikyan says in a Facebook post that the supreme patriarch has extended condolences to Mire-Mira Tahsim Beg, the spiritual leader of the Yezidis, in a solidarity message submitted to the latter by Archbishop Avag Asaturian, the prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Iraq,

“Strongly condemning the massacres and violence against the Yezidi people, the Catholicos of All Armenians has expressed belief that the Yezidis, who have a centuries-long history, will have the tenacity to overcome this ordeal. His holiness has also called upon the international community and organizations to take urgent steps towards stopping the massacres of Yezidis in Iraq,” reads the post.

Council of Europe committee condemns Azerbaijan for Safarov case

May 31, 2014 By administrator

The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe condemned the use made by Azerbaijan of Article 12 of the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons in the case of Ramil Safarov, ” which constitutes a violation of the principle of good faith in international relations and the principles of the rule of law. “

The Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons provides for the transfer of foreign prisoners to their country of origin. She goes first and foremost a humanitarian purpose, to improve the prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into society.

The draft resolution based on the report of Christopher Chope (United Kingdom, EDG), is concerned that the Convention has been invoked to justify the immediate release after the transfer in Azerbaijan Ramil Safarov, Azerbaijani sentenced for murder of an Armenian colleague who attended a training course “Partner for Peace” organized by NATO in Hungary. Upon his arrival in Azerbaijan, it was hailed as a national hero, was immediately pardoned long before the expiration of the minimum sentence imposed by the Hungarian court, received a retroactive promotion and was rewarded for his gesture in many other ways .

The text stresses that the Convention “is not intended to be used for the immediate release of detainees after their return to their country of origin.” It stresses “the importance of implementing the Convention in good faith and in interpreting these provisions, to comply with the principles of the rule of law”, particularly in the case of transfer may have political or diplomatic implications .

The draft resolution should be submitted to the Assembly for debate before the end of 2014.