Syria urges UN to take action to stop Turkish attacks on Kurds

February 15, 2016 By administrator

206029 Syria has condemned Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria described it as a violation of its sovereignty. It called on the UN Security Council to take action, BBC News reports.

Turkey carried out a second day of shelling on Sunday, Feb 14, of Kurdish forces advancing in northern Aleppo province.

Ankara views the Kurdish militia in Syria as allied to the outlawed PKK, which has carried out a decades-long campaign for autonomy in Turkey. But the United States and others back the Kurdish militia in Syria, the YPG, in its fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) group.

Syria has accused Turkey of violating its sovereignty by backing “al-Qaeda-linked terrorists” in the north and has warned it has a right to respond.

“Turkish artillery shelling of Syrian territory constitutes direct support to the armed terrorist organizations,” the Syrian government said in letters to the UN Secretary General and the Security Council’s Chairman.

According to the BBC, the letters accused Turkey of allowing about 100 gunmen – believed to be either “Turkish soldiers or Turkish mercenaries” – to cross into Syria. “[Syria] will maintain its legitimate right to respond to the Turkish crimes and attacks and to claim compensation for the damage caused.”

France’s foreign ministry has also urged Turkey to end its assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

UN panel rules Julian Assange arbitrarily detained, entitled to liberty & compensation

February 5, 2016 By administrator

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A UN panel has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been ‘arbitrarily detained’ in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, calling upon the UK and Sweden to end Assange’s deprivation of liberty.

“The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) … considered that Mr. Julian Assange was arbitrarily detained by the Governments of Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” the statement said.

The group concluded that the WikiLeaks founder “is entitled to his freedom of movement and to compensation.”

“The Working Group considered that Mr. Assange has been subjected to different forms of deprivation of liberty: initial detention in Wandsworth Prison [in London] which was followed by house arrest and his confinement at the Ecuadorian embassy.”

The panel said that it ruled that Assange’s detention “was arbitrary” as he was “held in isolation during the first stage of detention.” Also that “the lack of diligence” by the Swedish Prosecutor in its investigations resulted in the “lengthy detention of Mr. Assange.”

The UN panel also called upon UK and Swedish authorities “to assess the situation” of the WikiLeaks founder and “ensure his safety and physical integrity” and to “facilitate the exercise of his right to freedom of movement in an expedient manner.”

UN panel ‘rules in Julian Assange’s favour’

February 4, 2016 By administrator

A UN panel has ruled Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been “arbitrarily detained”, the BBC understands.

Mr Assange took refuge in London’s Ecuadorian embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex assault claims, which he denies.

He earlier tweeted he would accept arrest if the panel ruled against him, but called for the arrest warrant to be dropped if the decision went his way.

The Met Police said he will still be held if he does leave the embassy.

A warrant for his arrest remains in place.

In 2014, Mr Assange complained to the UN that he was being “arbitrarily detained” as he could not leave the embassy without being arrested.

The UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is due to announce the findings of its investigation into the case on Friday.

Its panel of legal experts has taken evidence from the UK and Sweden.

While the BBC understands the panel will find in Mr Assange’s favour, Wikileaks said it was waiting for “official confirmation”.

The panel’s ruling will not have any formal influence over the British and Swedish authorities and the UK Foreign Office said it still had an obligation to extradite Mr Assange.

Swedish prosecutors dropped two sex assault claims against Mr Assange last year. However, he still faces the more serious accusation of rape.

Australian Mr Assange was originally arrested in London in 2010 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Sweden.

He claimed asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge after the UK Supreme Court ruled the extradition against him could go ahead.

His Wikileaks organisation posted secret American government documents on the internet, and Mr Assange says he believes Washington will seek his transfer to the US if he is sent to Sweden.

In the statement, published earlier by Wikileaks on Twitter, Mr Assange said: “Should the UN announce tomorrow that I have lost my case against the United Kingdom and Sweden I shall exit the embassy at noon on Friday to accept arrest by British police as there is no meaningful prospect of further appeal.

“However, should I prevail and the state parties be found to have acted unlawfully, I expect the immediate return of my passport and the termination of further attempts to arrest me.”

Last October, Scotland Yard said it would no longer station officers outside the Ecuador embassy following an operation which it said had cost £12.6m. But it said “a number of overt and covert tactics to arrest him” would still be deployed.

Syria opposition calls off meeting with UN envoy

February 2, 2016 By administrator

The main Syria opposition coalition, the so-called High Negotiations Committee (HNC), says it will not attend a planned meeting with the United Nations special envoy for Syria.

“There is no meeting with (Staffan) de Mistura,” planned for Tuesday afternoon, HNC member Farah Atassi told reporters outside of the UN headquarters in the Swiss city of Geneva, where the Syria peace talks are going on.

“We presented the demands that we wanted to demand. At this moment, there is no reason to repeat ourselves with de Mistura,” she added.

The gathering was to be the opposition delegation’s second meeting with the Swedish-Italian diplomat as part of the UN-brokered peace Geneva negotiations aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

United Nations spokeswoman Khawla Mattar also confirmed that there would be “no other meetings today” in Geneva with de Mistura.

Earlier in the day, the UN envoy held talks with the Damascus government delegation. The meeting came one day after de Mistura announced the beginning of peace talks proper in the Swiss city of Geneva.

Following the event, however, Syria’s ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari, who has represented the Syrian government in the peace talks, said the negotiations are still in a preliminary phase and called the opposition “not serious”.

The ongoing Syria talks are to be held in an 18-month timetable under a resolution unanimously approved by the UN Security Council.

Adopted on December 18, 2015, the resolution calls for a nationwide ceasefire in Syria and the formation of a “credible, inclusive and non-sectarian” government within six months as well as UN-supervised “free and fair elections” within 18 months.

Some 17 nations – including the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran – held several rounds of talks last year in the broadest international push to end the crisis in Syria.

The foreign-sponsored Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011, has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 260,000 people, and displaced almost eight million others.

UN committee warns Turkey over discrimination and human rights violations against Kurd, Arab, Christians

January 19, 2016 By administrator

n_94022_1 A United Nations committee has voiced concern over widespread violations of human rights in Turkey, particularly focusing on racial profiling of Kurdish citizens during the campaign against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The U.N Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a body of independent experts working under the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and monitoring states’ implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, published its findings on Turkey last week.

The Committee said it is “concerned about reports that members belonging to the Kurdish community are discriminated against in the labor market and the unemployment rate of Kurdish women in particular remains high.”

“In the context of the fight against terrorism, the enforcement of anti-terrorism legislation and security-oriented policies have reportedly resulted in racial profiling of members of the Kurdish community,” it stated.

“Such legislation has been applied to curtail the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and association and led to the unwarranted arrest, detention and prosecution of Kurds. The Committee is further concerned at reports that a large number of Kurds live in the poorest and most remote provinces, often in poor economic and social conditions. Moreover, the Committee is concerned about reports of limited access to education for Kurdish children, including in their mother tongue,” the report added.

With regards to Syrian and Iraqi refugees, it noted efforts made by Turkey “to protect the human rights of the large number of Syrian and Iraqi refugees that it is hosting in its territory.”

“However, the Committee is concerned at reports that Syrian and Iraqi refugees face challenges, despite measures adopted by the State party, such as: being at risk of racial discrimination; the inadequate living conditions of Syrian refugees; a lack of work permits; reported violence against and trafficking in Syrian refugee women in camps; and insufficient access to education for some Syrian refugee children, including in their mother tongue,” the report stated.

Recommendations

While touching on several other issues, including the situation of Roma-origin citizens in Turkey, the committee also made a series of recommendations.

Regarding the Kurds, the Committee recommended that Ankara focus on addressing economic and political inequalities.

“[Turkey should] pursue and strengthen its measures to address inequalities faced by members of the Kurdish community in gaining access to economic, social and cultural rights on an equal footing with the rest of the population; adopt special measures to promote access by members of the Kurdish community, including women, to the labor market; ensure that its anti-terrorism legislation does not result in racial profiling or violations of the rights of freedom of expression or association or other rights protected by the Convention … intensify its efforts to combat disparities that exist between the Kurdish provinces and the rest of its territory; and improve the access of Kurdish children in schools, including by promoting teaching in their mother tongue.”

On Syrians and Iraqis, the Committee recommended that Turkey “pursue efforts to strengthen measures with a view to improving the reception conditions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees.”

“In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party: effectively protect Syrian and Iraqi refugees from racial discrimination, including incitement to hatred; grant work permits, as appropriate, to refugees under the special temporary program set up by the State party; increase its efforts to ensure that all refugee children have access to education, including in their mother tongue; strengthen its fight against the trafficking in and violence against refugee women in camps; and ensure the effective application of the new Law on Foreigners and International Protection,” the report added.

January/19/2016

ARS Participates in First International Day for Genocide Commemoration at U.N.

December 17, 2015 By administrator

Hovnanian School students at the Dec. 9 event

By Anahid M. Ugurlayan

On Dec. 9, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) participated in an historic day for the Armenian people. It marked the first United Nations (U.N.) observance of the International Day for the Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. This commemoration, which will take place every year on Dec. 9 going forward, was established pursuant to a U.N. General Assembly Resolution (69/323), passed on Sept. 11, 2015, that was sponsored by Armenia and co-sponsored by 84 nations.

Dec. 9 is not an arbitrary date—it also marks the date on which the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide went into effect 67 years ago. Raphael Lemkin, a legal scholar and Polish-Jewish refugee, was the catalyst behind the convention, coining the word “genocide” after studying the horrors of the Armenian Genocide and before losing 49 members of his family during the Holocaust.

The program began with a moving performance by the U.N. Symphony Orchestra of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Air.” In their welcoming remarks, Mogens Lykketoft, president of the 70^th Session of the U.N. General Assembly, and Jan Eliasson, deputy secretary-general of the U.N., delivered a powerful message—one that was echoed by all of the speakers—that stressed the importance of honoring victims of genocide while also redoubling efforts to prevent genocide altogether by, in the words of Eliasson, “catching the tremor before the earthquake.” Indeed, the promise of “never again” has been repeatedly broken and continues to be broken around the world.

Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, permanent representative of Armenia to the U.N., thanked the 84 nations who co-sponsored U.N. General Assembly Resolution 69/323, making this observance possible. Mnatsakanyan stressed that this day calls on all nations to remember the victims of genocide as well as the “admittance of past inaction” and “reclaiming justice.” He applauded the efforts of civil society, the media, and academia in raising awareness and knowledge of the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Mnatsakanyan also noted that Dec. 9 was a “shameful reminder” that the international community cannot claim the elimination of genocide or genocidal tendencies despite the fact that there are many early warning signs in every instance, from violation of rights affecting vulnerable groups to hate speech to incitement to violence. He ended his remarks by stating, “We commemorate to prevent.”

The keynote address was delivered by Adama Dieng, U.N. special adviser on the prevention of genocide. He congratulated Armenia for its hard work in bringing the commemoration to fruition. Dieng stated that the seeds of genocide are being sown as we speak, citing the example of the Yazidis and other migrant groups, communities that are being destroyed simply because of their beliefs. He stressed the importance of acting now to stop genocide from being part of the present and future.

The keynote speech was followed by three panel presentations. The first, delivered by Pablo de Greiff, special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, explained that a multi-pronged approach must be adopted to prevent genocide, most notably by strengthening civil society, on which serious constraints have been placed by 60 countries as of late.

The second presentation was delivered by David Tolbert, president of the International Center for Transitional Justice. Specifically mentioning the Armenian Genocide, he noted that the list of genocides is long and that genocide can only end if states take responsibility for their actions and end denialist practices. Tolbert explained that transitional justice requires that truth tellers be immune from prosecution and that reparations be given as a form of redress. He stressed the importance of creating memorials to the victims of genocide and modifying curricula in schools to teach children about genocides.

Lastly, Elisa Von Joeden-Forgey, Assistant Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Stockton University, stated that there is no society that is not complicit in genocide and that there is no society that is not vulnerable to it. She explained that there are distinct patterns to genocide (e.g., targeting reproductive symbols of group life), and that education is key in preventing genocide. Remarks were also delivered by the chairs of General Assembly Regional Groups, specifically by representatives from Cyprus and Israel, both of whom echoed earlier remarks about commemorating genocide by preventing it.

The program ended with the U.N. Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Einekleine Nachtmusik.”

The timing of the International Day for the Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime at the U.N. on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide is a powerful reminder of the commitment of Armenia and the Armenian people to genocide awareness and prevention efforts. The ARS was honored to be present on this historic day and thanks the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the U.N. for its leadership in making this commemorative day a reality. The ARS also thanks the Hovnanian School for allowing many of its students to attend the momentous event.

Source; Armenian weekly

United Nations Slams Israel Over Child Prostitution Epidemic

November 11, 2015 By administrator

Israel has no clear strategy for addressing child prostitution within its borders, according to a UN report, which says that sex offenders there are not sufficiently prosecuted and punished.

In the wake of the scathing report from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, a source told Israeli newspaper Haaretz that despite growing awareness of the problem, helping juvenile prostitutes “still falls between the governmental cracks.”

Of all the police investigations opened into sex crimes against minors last year, about 45% have been closed, the paper reported.
In its most recent report, the UN committee said Israel has failed to implement a recommendation made in the previous report: establishing a state agency dedicated to children’s rights.
The report also said the number of investigations into people suspected of sex crimes against minors is low to start with, and only a small percentage of those cases actually go to trial.
Moreover, even when convictions are obtained in child prostitution or pornography cases, the sentences don’t always match the severity of the crimes, the report said. It recommended instituting stiffer sentences for obtaining sexual services from a minor, Haaretz reported.
According to latest data compiled by the Knesset’s research center, of the 2,349 cases opened into sex crimes against minors in 2014, only 11% have yet produced a verdict. Almost 45% of these cases were closed – 30% because the criminal was unknown and 13% due to lack of public interest.
Yifat Shasha-Biton, chair of the Knesset Committee on the Rights of the Child, echoed the UN report’s complaint about lenient sentencing.

“A sentence of up to three years for obtaining sex services from a minor is ridiculous,” she said.

A representative of the Social Affairs Ministry confirmed the UN report’s criticism of Israel’s lack of a system for coordinating among different government agencies involved in this issue.
He said his ministry “works to rehabilitate minors employed in prostitution, but doesn’t coordinate with the Education Ministry on preventing [minors] from sliding into prostitution or on locating minors employed in prostitution.”

Source: sputniknews.com

Sarkisian Meets President Obama at UN

September 30, 2015 By administrator

President Serzh Sarkissian poses for a photo with U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (Source: President.am)

NEW YORK—A talk between Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and U.S. President Barack Obama took place on the sidelines of the 70^th session of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

According to the presidential press service, on the evening of September 28, President Sarkisian took part in a reception held on behalf of President Obama in honor of the heads of the delegations of the nations participating in the General Assembly session.

“During the reception, President Barack Obama and President Serzh Sarkisian had a short conversation, during which issues of pan-Armenian significance were discussed,” Sarkisian’s office said in a short statement on Wednesday.

The press service also released a photograph showing Sarkisian with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

UN: 1/4 of Iraqi population to need aid by year-end

September 26, 2015 By administrator

The United Nations (UN) says a quarter of Iraq’s population is expected to be in need of humanitarian aid by the end of the year, as the country is threatened by worsening conditions fueled by the terrorist activities of Daesh.

The UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Dominique Bartsch, said on Friday that the current situation is threatening some 10 million Iraqis, forcing many to leave the country.

Bartsch said the humanitarian situation in Iraq was “worsening dramatically,” after Daesh militants started taking over territory in the country last year.

According to the UN official, the most basic humanitarian aid has been reduced as a result of a lack of funding.

“Many people have reached the end on the line. They no longer have the possibility to support themselves. Many will say that the only future is outside of Iraq,” Bartsch added.

The UN official also voiced concern for some one million Kurdish Iraqis currently displaced inside the country, who are also in serious need of assistance.

He added that “a combination of minimum humanitarian assistance, but also more sustained support…, for example education and rebuilding livelihoods” was required in order to prevent more Iraqis from fleeing their country.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recently announced that it had opened two new camps for internally displaced Iraqis in the capital, Baghdad, aimed at providing shelter for some the 3,500 Iraqis who have been forced to flee violence in Anbar Province.

This comes as Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said Baghdad needed more logistical aid instead of foreign soldiers in its fight against Daesh militants.

Since the terrorists started operating in Iraq in June 2014, they have been committing vicious crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in the country, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and others.

Iraqi army soldiers and volunteer fighters have launched joint operations aimed at regaining areas under Daesh control.

UN General Assembly adopts Armenia-led resolution

September 12, 2015 By administrator

The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted Armenia’s resolution designating December 9 “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime”.

The resolution had over 80 cosponsoring countries, including the U.S, Asbarez reported.

“We were pleased to see Ambassador Samantha Power voice support for this Armenia-lead initiative in the United Nations to mobilize the international community and global public opinion in support of the noble – but still unrealized – aims of the Genocide Convention,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

“Unfortunately, despite this vote, the Obama Administration remains actively complicit in Turkey’s ongoing denial of truth and obstruction of justice for the Armenian genocide – a shameful outsourcing of American policy that stands starkly at odds with both the spirit and the letter of this measure.”