Armenian News...A Topalian...'IS regards the Caucasus as a province of their 'State'
The previous week's print edition of The Economist has an article
on IS (Islamic State, sometimes called Daesh).
No details are given but it reports that IS regards the Caucasus
No details are given but it reports that IS regards the Caucasus
as a province of their 'state'. Though the region includes Chechnya
and Dagestan, the map implies that the whole of that area falls
within their remit. Worrying for Armenia, Georgia, and even
Azerbaijan as the latter is the wrong type of Islam.
RFE/RL Report
Karabakh Leader Visits London, Irks Baku
09.07.2015
Bako Sahakian, Nagorno-Karabakh's president, has addressed a leading
British think-tank and met with members of Britain's parliament during
a visit to London that has sparked protests from Azerbaijan.
A statement by Sahakian's office said he spoke about the Karabakh
conflict and the "state-building process" in the Armenian-populated
territory at the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday. He also spoke of
the Karabakh Armenians' "special attitude towards the United Kingdom"
stemming from its status as an "influential state" and a "cradle of
democracy."
The statement did not name the British parliamentarians present at the
meeting. It only cited Sahakian as praising "friends of Artsakh
(Karabakh) in the British Parliament."
One of them, Baroness Caroline Cox, is a longtime member of the
British House of Lords who frequently visited Karabakh during and
after the 1991-1994 Armenian-Azerbaijani war. Cox has been a staunch
backer of international recognition of Karabakh's de facto secession
from Azerbaijan.
Later on Wednesday, Sahakian gave a talk at the Royal Institute of
International Affairs, also known as Chatham House. He also answered
questions from scholars, analysts and diplomats present at the meeting
held behind the closed doors.
Chatham House announced late last month that it has invited the
Karabakh Armenian leader to visit its London offices and "share his
views on regional security and relations." The announcement provoked
angry protests from the Azerbaijani government
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry sent a "note of protest" to Britain's
Foreign Office and summoned the British ambassador in Baku, Irfan
Siddiq, on July 1. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov
told Siddiq that Sahakian's scheduled visit to London is "a step
directed against the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan."
Siddiq told journalists afterwards that the British government does
not recognize the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and has
"no contact with any of its representatives." The British Embassy in
Baku repeated this line on Thursday.
An embassy spokesperson also told the Azerbaijani APA news agency that
British lawmakers are free to meet anyone in London.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cited Karabakh Armenian leaders'
frequent trips to Europe and the United States in April 2014 when he
accused the West of using double standards against his country. "Their
`leaders' are received in leading Western countries," Aliyev
complained. "They are issued visas, they open representations there,
make trips. Why?"
RFE/RL Report
Karabakh Leader Visits London, Irks Baku
09.07.2015
Bako Sahakian, Nagorno-Karabakh's president, has addressed a leading
British think-tank and met with members of Britain's parliament during
a visit to London that has sparked protests from Azerbaijan.
A statement by Sahakian's office said he spoke about the Karabakh
conflict and the "state-building process" in the Armenian-populated
territory at the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday. He also spoke of
the Karabakh Armenians' "special attitude towards the United Kingdom"
stemming from its status as an "influential state" and a "cradle of
democracy."
The statement did not name the British parliamentarians present at the
meeting. It only cited Sahakian as praising "friends of Artsakh
(Karabakh) in the British Parliament."
One of them, Baroness Caroline Cox, is a longtime member of the
British House of Lords who frequently visited Karabakh during and
after the 1991-1994 Armenian-Azerbaijani war. Cox has been a staunch
backer of international recognition of Karabakh's de facto secession
from Azerbaijan.
Later on Wednesday, Sahakian gave a talk at the Royal Institute of
International Affairs, also known as Chatham House. He also answered
questions from scholars, analysts and diplomats present at the meeting
held behind the closed doors.
Chatham House announced late last month that it has invited the
Karabakh Armenian leader to visit its London offices and "share his
views on regional security and relations." The announcement provoked
angry protests from the Azerbaijani government
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry sent a "note of protest" to Britain's
Foreign Office and summoned the British ambassador in Baku, Irfan
Siddiq, on July 1. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov
told Siddiq that Sahakian's scheduled visit to London is "a step
directed against the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan."
Siddiq told journalists afterwards that the British government does
not recognize the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and has
"no contact with any of its representatives." The British Embassy in
Baku repeated this line on Thursday.
An embassy spokesperson also told the Azerbaijani APA news agency that
British lawmakers are free to meet anyone in London.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cited Karabakh Armenian leaders'
frequent trips to Europe and the United States in April 2014 when he
accused the West of using double standards against his country. "Their
`leaders' are received in leading Western countries," Aliyev
complained. "They are issued visas, they open representations there,
make trips. Why?"
RFE/RL Report Policemen Sanctioned Over `Electric Yerevan'
Violence
Hovannes Movsisian
13.07.2015
The Armenian police on Monday demoted one of their officers and
"reprimanded" eight others for excessive use of force during the June
23 dispersal of young activists in Yerevan protesting against an
electricity price hike.
The police detained more than 230 people early in the morning as they
unblocked the city's central Marshal Bagramian Avenue occupied by the
protesters. More than two dozen protesters were injured in the
crackdown criticized by the Armenian media and opposition groups as
well as Western powers.
The national police chief, Vladimir Gasparian, responded to the outcry
by ordering an "internal inquiry" into the police actions. His office
announced the first results of that inquiry in a statement that
announced the disciplinary action against the nine officers, including
Colonel Artur Mehrabian, a controversial deputy chief of Yerevan's
police department.
The statement said Mehrabian received a formal "reprimand" for his
failure to demonstrate "restraint" and "appropriate and civilized
behavior" during the forcible dispersal of the crowd. It said seven
other, mostly low-ranking policemen were reprimanded on similar
grounds.
The ninth officer, a lieutenant-colonel, had his position downgraded
"by one degree" because of his improper conduct during a protester's
detention, according to the statement.
The statement added that the police inquiry is continuing, suggesting
at more officers could be subjected to disciplinary action. Few
observers expect it to result in any sackings or prosecutions,
however.
The police actions on Marshal Bagramian Avenue are also the subject of
a criminal investigation that was launched by another law-enforcement
agency, the Special Investigative Service (SIS), on July 3. The SIS
has not charged anyone yet.
Punishment of senior police officers who used disproportionate force
on June 23 is one of the demands addressed to the Armenian authorities
by No To Plunder, a youth group that launched the nonstop protests on
Marshal Bagramian Avenue on June 22 before being sidelined by other,
more radical activists.
No To Plunder leaders are due to rally supporters outside Armenia's
Office of the Prosecutor-General on Tuesday to press that demand. "All
that happened in the presence of high-ranking officers and they did
not try to rein in their subordinates in any way," one of them, Maxim
Sargsian, told reporters on Monday.
Sargsian warned that the group could resume street protests and even
demand President Serzh Sarkisian's resignation if the violent
law-enforcement officials avoid punishment and if the authorities fail
to officially reverse the more than 17 percent rise in electricity
prices.
"Let them have no doubts about that," he said, referring to the
authorities. "There are many streets in Yerevan that could be blocked
and with a much greater impact."
Hovannes Movsisian
13.07.2015
The Armenian police on Monday demoted one of their officers and
"reprimanded" eight others for excessive use of force during the June
23 dispersal of young activists in Yerevan protesting against an
electricity price hike.
The police detained more than 230 people early in the morning as they
unblocked the city's central Marshal Bagramian Avenue occupied by the
protesters. More than two dozen protesters were injured in the
crackdown criticized by the Armenian media and opposition groups as
well as Western powers.
The national police chief, Vladimir Gasparian, responded to the outcry
by ordering an "internal inquiry" into the police actions. His office
announced the first results of that inquiry in a statement that
announced the disciplinary action against the nine officers, including
Colonel Artur Mehrabian, a controversial deputy chief of Yerevan's
police department.
The statement said Mehrabian received a formal "reprimand" for his
failure to demonstrate "restraint" and "appropriate and civilized
behavior" during the forcible dispersal of the crowd. It said seven
other, mostly low-ranking policemen were reprimanded on similar
grounds.
The ninth officer, a lieutenant-colonel, had his position downgraded
"by one degree" because of his improper conduct during a protester's
detention, according to the statement.
The statement added that the police inquiry is continuing, suggesting
at more officers could be subjected to disciplinary action. Few
observers expect it to result in any sackings or prosecutions,
however.
The police actions on Marshal Bagramian Avenue are also the subject of
a criminal investigation that was launched by another law-enforcement
agency, the Special Investigative Service (SIS), on July 3. The SIS
has not charged anyone yet.
Punishment of senior police officers who used disproportionate force
on June 23 is one of the demands addressed to the Armenian authorities
by No To Plunder, a youth group that launched the nonstop protests on
Marshal Bagramian Avenue on June 22 before being sidelined by other,
more radical activists.
No To Plunder leaders are due to rally supporters outside Armenia's
Office of the Prosecutor-General on Tuesday to press that demand. "All
that happened in the presence of high-ranking officers and they did
not try to rein in their subordinates in any way," one of them, Maxim
Sargsian, told reporters on Monday.
Sargsian warned that the group could resume street protests and even
demand President Serzh Sarkisian's resignation if the violent
law-enforcement officials avoid punishment and if the authorities fail
to officially reverse the more than 17 percent rise in electricity
prices.
"Let them have no doubts about that," he said, referring to the
authorities. "There are many streets in Yerevan that could be blocked
and with a much greater impact."
armenpress.am
MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS OF BANGLADESH
DISCOVERED BANGLADESH DISTRICT IN YEREVAN
14 July, 2015
YEREVAN, JULY 14 The Minister of Cultural Affairs of
Bangladesh Asaduzzaman Noor who visited Armenia, discovered Bangladesh
district and the connotation of his name. Asaduzzaman Noor informed
this to the journalists on July 14, while he was touring in the Yerevan
Malatia-Sebastia administrative district: South-Western district, which
in named Bangladesh by Yerevan dwellers. "Learning the connotation
of my name which is a symbolic fruit in Armenia, and the name of the
district homonymous to my country, I decided to visit it.
And as soo as I return home I will inform my compatriots
about the existence of a small Bangladesh in Armenia", as
reports"Armenpress",Asaduzzaman Noor said.
The Minister of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh confessed that
he knew little about Armenians and the Armenian culture before
visiting Armenia, he only knew about the Armenians having inhabited in
Bangladesh in the 17-18 centuries, who have had a great investment in
the educational and economic spheres of the country. "Visiting museums
and exhibitions I am impressed by the ancient and modern Armenian art
and culture. It is very pleasant to see how the Armenian government
makes efforts to preserve the Armenian culture and make it popular",
said Asaduzzaman Noor after visiting the Holy Trinity Church.
14 July, 2015
YEREVAN, JULY 14 The Minister of Cultural Affairs of
Bangladesh Asaduzzaman Noor who visited Armenia, discovered Bangladesh
district and the connotation of his name. Asaduzzaman Noor informed
this to the journalists on July 14, while he was touring in the Yerevan
Malatia-Sebastia administrative district: South-Western district, which
in named Bangladesh by Yerevan dwellers. "Learning the connotation
of my name which is a symbolic fruit in Armenia, and the name of the
district homonymous to my country, I decided to visit it.
And as soo as I return home I will inform my compatriots
about the existence of a small Bangladesh in Armenia", as
reports"Armenpress",Asaduzzaman Noor said.
The Minister of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh confessed that
he knew little about Armenians and the Armenian culture before
visiting Armenia, he only knew about the Armenians having inhabited in
Bangladesh in the 17-18 centuries, who have had a great investment in
the educational and economic spheres of the country. "Visiting museums
and exhibitions I am impressed by the ancient and modern Armenian art
and culture. It is very pleasant to see how the Armenian government
makes efforts to preserve the Armenian culture and make it popular",
said Asaduzzaman Noor after visiting the Holy Trinity Church.
tert.am
Matenadaran branch to be opened in Shushi
12.07.15
A branch of the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Matenadaran will be
opened in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, this September, Gabriel
Djambardjian, President of the Pyunik human resources development
foundation, told Tert.am.
Relevant work is under way.
`Our plans to open a branch in Shuhsi are not only of cultural, but
also of political importance: we are showing our culture and prove we
had monasteries centuries ago,' Mr Djambardjian.
Replicas of most valuable exhibits that are kept in Matenadaran will
be displayed in Shushi.
As regards the political importance of the plans, Mr Djambardjian said
that visitors to Shushi will see no Azerbaijani traces there. The only
thing they are going to see is Armenian churches.
`Our culture is disseminated throughout the world, and the development
of cultural centers is supposed to preserve our cultural values.'
armenpress.am
200.000 FISH OF "GEGHARKUNI" SORT POURED INTO LAKE
12.07.15
A branch of the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Matenadaran will be
opened in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, this September, Gabriel
Djambardjian, President of the Pyunik human resources development
foundation, told Tert.am.
Relevant work is under way.
`Our plans to open a branch in Shuhsi are not only of cultural, but
also of political importance: we are showing our culture and prove we
had monasteries centuries ago,' Mr Djambardjian.
Replicas of most valuable exhibits that are kept in Matenadaran will
be displayed in Shushi.
As regards the political importance of the plans, Mr Djambardjian said
that visitors to Shushi will see no Azerbaijani traces there. The only
thing they are going to see is Armenian churches.
`Our culture is disseminated throughout the world, and the development
of cultural centers is supposed to preserve our cultural values.'
armenpress.am
200.000 FISH OF "GEGHARKUNI" SORT POURED INTO LAKE
SEVAN FROM TERRITORY OF KARCHAKHBYUR
10 July, 2015
GAVAR, JULY 10. 40.000 fish weighting 30 grams and 160.000
fish weighting 5 grams of the "Gegharkuni" sort of Sevan trout were
poured into Lake Sevan by the Fund for restoration of trout stocks
of Lake Sevan and development of pisciculture on July 10. As informs
"Armenpress", Minister of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia
Aramayis Grigoryan, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia
Sergo Karapetyan,Gegharkunik Governor Rafik Grigoryan, the President of
the Committee of Lake Sevan Issues Yuri Javadyan and other officials.
"After the closure the previous factory of fish production for the
first time fish was poured from the territorial administration of
Karchakhbyur where climatic conditions are most favorable for breeding
of trout", convinced the director of the Fund for restoration of
trout stocks of Lake Sevan and development of pisciculture, Arshak
Aghajanyan.
In the future, the maternal staff of the Summer and Gegharkuni sorts
will be formed in the factory of Karchakhbyur fish factory, which
will be ready in September of this year and which will be equipped
with the best international technologies. It is expected that more
than one million fish will be poured into the lake in 2016.
"The restoration of the industrial stocks of Lake Sevan has been the
dream of our nation for decades, which we bring into reality step by
step. In the near future we will already have industrial stocks of
Sevan trout and potentials for exports", mentioned the Minister of
Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia Aramayis Grigoryan.
10 July, 2015
GAVAR, JULY 10. 40.000 fish weighting 30 grams and 160.000
fish weighting 5 grams of the "Gegharkuni" sort of Sevan trout were
poured into Lake Sevan by the Fund for restoration of trout stocks
of Lake Sevan and development of pisciculture on July 10. As informs
"Armenpress", Minister of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia
Aramayis Grigoryan, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia
Sergo Karapetyan,Gegharkunik Governor Rafik Grigoryan, the President of
the Committee of Lake Sevan Issues Yuri Javadyan and other officials.
"After the closure the previous factory of fish production for the
first time fish was poured from the territorial administration of
Karchakhbyur where climatic conditions are most favorable for breeding
of trout", convinced the director of the Fund for restoration of
trout stocks of Lake Sevan and development of pisciculture, Arshak
Aghajanyan.
In the future, the maternal staff of the Summer and Gegharkuni sorts
will be formed in the factory of Karchakhbyur fish factory, which
will be ready in September of this year and which will be equipped
with the best international technologies. It is expected that more
than one million fish will be poured into the lake in 2016.
"The restoration of the industrial stocks of Lake Sevan has been the
dream of our nation for decades, which we bring into reality step by
step. In the near future we will already have industrial stocks of
Sevan trout and potentials for exports", mentioned the Minister of
Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia Aramayis Grigoryan.
tert.am
MORPHINE UNAVAILABLE TO CANCER PATIENTS IN ARMENIA
- REPORT
14.07.15
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday raised the problem of inappropriate
palliative care for terminally ill patients in Armenia.
A recent report by the organization highlights the unavailability of
the necessary pain-killers (especially morphine), which it says often
causes hardships for patients and their families. "Although morphine
is a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to improve the lives of
terminally ill people, oral morphine is unavailable in Armenia, and
tight police controls on injectable opioids and restrictive policies
on procurement, prescription, and disbursement violate many of the
World Health Organization's recommendations on palliative care,"
reads the document.
Speaking at a news conference, Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of
the Organization's Europe and Central Asia Division, said they
selected Armenia as a country of studies for two basic reasons: the
existing tough regulations and the observed potential for changing the
procedures. She said they have seen a government interest to improve
the laws to facilitate access to the medicines for the target group.
Denber added that they had to compile the report, seeing the very
slow process of adopting and implementing the changes.
Giorgi Gogia, an expert in human rights issues in South Caucasus,
added that morphine is absolutely necessary to relieve the inevitably
occurring pain in cancer patients. He enumerated the difficulties
that patients (or their families) often encounter while trying to
obtain the medicine.
Violetta Zopunyan, the head of the Human Rights Center of Yerevan,
stressed the importance of training palliative care specialists. She
noted that none of the educational institutions preparing healthcare
professionals has mandatory courses on the subject.
The organization has thus found the unavailability of morphine, the
existing legislative restrictions, insufficiently administered doses,
difficult subscription procedures and tough police control to be the
main obstacles to ensuring an effective palliative care in the country.
Metro (UK)
July 10, 2015 Friday
Ten-man Armenians inflict humiliating exit on Saints
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND SECOND LEG
by KENNY McKEE
St Johnstone 2
FC Alashkert 1
ST JOHNSTONE made an embarrassing exit from Europe as they
14.07.15
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday raised the problem of inappropriate
palliative care for terminally ill patients in Armenia.
A recent report by the organization highlights the unavailability of
the necessary pain-killers (especially morphine), which it says often
causes hardships for patients and their families. "Although morphine
is a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to improve the lives of
terminally ill people, oral morphine is unavailable in Armenia, and
tight police controls on injectable opioids and restrictive policies
on procurement, prescription, and disbursement violate many of the
World Health Organization's recommendations on palliative care,"
reads the document.
Speaking at a news conference, Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of
the Organization's Europe and Central Asia Division, said they
selected Armenia as a country of studies for two basic reasons: the
existing tough regulations and the observed potential for changing the
procedures. She said they have seen a government interest to improve
the laws to facilitate access to the medicines for the target group.
Denber added that they had to compile the report, seeing the very
slow process of adopting and implementing the changes.
Giorgi Gogia, an expert in human rights issues in South Caucasus,
added that morphine is absolutely necessary to relieve the inevitably
occurring pain in cancer patients. He enumerated the difficulties
that patients (or their families) often encounter while trying to
obtain the medicine.
Violetta Zopunyan, the head of the Human Rights Center of Yerevan,
stressed the importance of training palliative care specialists. She
noted that none of the educational institutions preparing healthcare
professionals has mandatory courses on the subject.
The organization has thus found the unavailability of morphine, the
existing legislative restrictions, insufficiently administered doses,
difficult subscription procedures and tough police control to be the
main obstacles to ensuring an effective palliative care in the country.
Metro (UK)
July 10, 2015 Friday
Ten-man Armenians inflict humiliating exit on Saints
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND SECOND LEG
by KENNY McKEE
St Johnstone 2
FC Alashkert 1
ST JOHNSTONE made an embarrassing exit from Europe as they
were eliminated by 10-man Alashkert at McDiarmid Park last night.
Saints appeared in control when the Armenians had Karen Muradyan
Saints appeared in control when the Armenians had Karen Muradyan
sent off for a second booking, with the hosts already ahead on the
night through Michael O'Halloran.
But a defensive lapse saw Norayr Gyozalyan hand the visitors the
aggregate lead and although Brad McKay struck late on, Saints could
not find a winner and exit the Europa League on away goals.
Having lost the first leg 1-0 in Armenia, Saints levelled the tie on
aggregate in the 34th minute when O'Halloran drove home.
The hosts, roared on by a crowd of 5,764, appeared set for victory
when Alashkert went down to ten men in the 63rd minute as Muradyan was
sent off. However, Gyozalyan lobbed Allan Mannus in the 74th minute to
make it 2-1 on aggregate and silence McDiarmid.
McKay hit back with four minutes to go as he struck from close range.
Saints threw everything at the visitors in the final minutes, with
keeper Mannus coming up for a late corner, but they could not make the
breakthrough.
A 2-1 win on the night was not enough and Saints' European adventure
ended at the first hurdle.
Court Finds Armenia & Azerbaijan Guilty:
Baku Hides Loss, Declares Victory
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Ruling simultaneously on the Sargsyan vs. Azerbaijan and Chiragov
vs. Armenia cases, the European Court of Human Rights decided on
But a defensive lapse saw Norayr Gyozalyan hand the visitors the
aggregate lead and although Brad McKay struck late on, Saints could
not find a winner and exit the Europa League on away goals.
Having lost the first leg 1-0 in Armenia, Saints levelled the tie on
aggregate in the 34th minute when O'Halloran drove home.
The hosts, roared on by a crowd of 5,764, appeared set for victory
when Alashkert went down to ten men in the 63rd minute as Muradyan was
sent off. However, Gyozalyan lobbed Allan Mannus in the 74th minute to
make it 2-1 on aggregate and silence McDiarmid.
McKay hit back with four minutes to go as he struck from close range.
Saints threw everything at the visitors in the final minutes, with
keeper Mannus coming up for a late corner, but they could not make the
breakthrough.
A 2-1 win on the night was not enough and Saints' European adventure
ended at the first hurdle.
Court Finds Armenia & Azerbaijan Guilty:
Baku Hides Loss, Declares Victory
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Ruling simultaneously on the Sargsyan vs. Azerbaijan and Chiragov
vs. Armenia cases, the European Court of Human Rights decided on
June 16, 2015 that Armenia and Azerbaijan had violated the rights of
refugees who had fled during the Karabagh (Artsakh) conflict.
Azeri government officials, however, misled their citizens, declaring
that Azerbaijan had won and Armenia had lost.
refugees who had fled during the Karabagh (Artsakh) conflict.
Azeri government officials, however, misled their citizens, declaring
that Azerbaijan had won and Armenia had lost.
Here are the details of both court cases: On April 6, 2005, six
Azerbaijani Kurds filed a joint complaint against Armenia with the
European Court. They claimed to have been forced to flee their homes
during the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in 1992, after Armenian
troops took over the Lachin region which separated Armenia from
Artsakh. The Azerbaijani refugees alleged that Armenia had violated
their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights: 1)
protection of property, 2) right to respect for private and family
life, and 3) right to an effective remedy.
On August 11, 2006, Minas Sargsyan filed a similar complaint against
Baku in the European Court of Human Rights. He charged that Azerbaijan
had violated his rights, the same ones claimed by the six Azerbaijani
refugees, since he too was forced to flee in 1992 from his native
village of Gulistan in the Shahumian region, controlled by Azerbaijan.
Both parties asked that their property rights be restored and demanded
fair compensation.
In March 2010, after years of inactivity, the Court forwarded both
cases to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights,
consisting of 17 judges from Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia,
Cyprus, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Monaco, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Ukraine. The Grand
Chamber's decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
A decade after the these cases were first filed, the Grand Chamber
issued two identical judgments on June 16, 2015, finding that both
Armenia and Azerbaijan had violated the rights of each other's
refugees. In a lengthy document of 221 pages, including the two
verdicts and the dissenting and concurring opinions, the Court ruled
that the 20-year long peace negotiations did not free the two
governments from their responsibility to protect the rights of
hundreds of thousands of refugees. The Grand Chamber noted that there
are over 1,000 individual applications pending before the Court, filed
by Armenians and Azerbaijanis displaced during the Artsakh conflict.
The six Azerbaijani applicants claimed they had suffered $9 million in
monetary damages and $330,000 in non-monetary damages. They further
estimated their legal expenses to be around $65,000 as of October
2013. The Azerbaijani applicants' representatives requested that an
expert be appointed to evaluate the total damages their clients had
incurred.
On the other hand, the Armenian applicant Minas Sargsyan had requested
the restitution of his property, including the right of return to his
home. He claimed $415,000 in monetary damages and $210,000 in
non-monetary damages, in addition to non-specified legal fees.
Acknowledging `the exceptional nature' of the two cases, the Court did
not make a final determination on awarding compensation or `just
satisfaction.' The Grand Chamber asked the Armenian and Azerbaijani
governments and the respective applicants to submit their `written
observations on the matter' within 12 months, and `to notify the Court
of any agreement that they may reach.'
In my opinion, the European Court's parallel decisions were aimed at
pressuring the two governments to expedite a negotiated settlement
that would resolve all outstanding issues, including rights of
refugees.
One of the most significant, yet unexpected outcomes of these court
cases were the two written opinions -- 25 pages each -- by Judge Paulo
Pinto de Albuquerque of Portugal and appended to the court's verdicts,
in which he presented a strong legal case for Artsakh's independence:
`Whenever a part of the population of a State is not represented by
its government and the human rights of that population are
systematically infringed by its own government, ¦the victimized
population may have recourse `as a last resort, to rebellion against
tyranny and oppression,' to use the powerful formulation of the
preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.' The Judge also
wrote that when a State systematically abuses the human rights of a
seceding population, it is lawful for another State to take military
action in favor of the seceding population, after the latter has
established control of its territory and declared its secession.
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