Armenian News ... A Topalian... Quote from Economist article on the fighting between the Turkish army and the Kurds seeking autonomy dated 23 January:
'Historical sites, including a 16th century mosque and a newly
restored Armenian church, have been damaged, says Ahmet Omen,
deputy head of the local bar association".
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 29 2016
Population of Armenia falls below 3 million people
The population of Armenia has fallen below 3 million people for the
first time in 40 years. According to the National Statistical Service,
based on the 2011 census, 2,998,600 people live in the country as
Jan 29 2016
Population of Armenia falls below 3 million people
The population of Armenia has fallen below 3 million people for the
first time in 40 years. According to the National Statistical Service,
based on the 2011 census, 2,998,600 people live in the country as
of January 1st 2016.
During the year the republic's population decreased by 12,000 people.
At the same time, it fell by 35,000 people in five years, and by 634.7
thousand people since independence in 1991.
According to the ministry, 41,815 children were born in the country in
2015, which is 2.8% less than in 2014. The mortality rate increased
0.4% to 27,835 cases. Thus, the population increased by 13,980 people
in the year, a decrease of 8.7%, ARKA reports.
Recall that 2.9 million people lived in the republic in 1977. Its
population exceeded 3 million in 1978. It then significantly increased
in the 1980s. As a result, 3.6 million people lived in the country by
the end of 1992.
The director of the Armenian branch of the Institute of CIS countries,
Alexander Markarov, said in an interview with a correspondent of
Vestnik Kavkaza that "the overall trend, which began in the late 80's
` early 90's, was quite negative in terms of the population of
Armenia." "There are several factors. The first is the migration of
the republic, which was caused by the rather complex social and
economic situation in the country in the early 90's. It was quite
disadvantageous during the siege situation. The beginning of the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and its continuation did not help the
increase of the population of Armenia,'' he said.
"And the second factor that continues to exist is the periodic
seasonal labor migration. It takes place in Armenia. Elements of the
seasonal labor migration affect the whole of the population of Armenia
and they are still systemic development factors which determine the
number of people of the republic,'' the expert added.
The head of the parliamentary faction of the Armenian National
Congress, Aram Manukyan, assesses the situation more categorically.
"If the government cannot keep its citizens at home, citizens cannot
find work and cannot support their families, they will leave the
country. It happens basically due to the politicians in power. This is
the main reason," he stressed.
At the same time, according to the deputy, the government does
absolutely nothing to solve this problem. "They even organized the
migration of their people because they don't need active people. In
fact, a few years ago former Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan asked why
they needed people, adding that they could organize a revolution. This
process is beneficial for our government," Manukyan said.
During the year the republic's population decreased by 12,000 people.
At the same time, it fell by 35,000 people in five years, and by 634.7
thousand people since independence in 1991.
According to the ministry, 41,815 children were born in the country in
2015, which is 2.8% less than in 2014. The mortality rate increased
0.4% to 27,835 cases. Thus, the population increased by 13,980 people
in the year, a decrease of 8.7%, ARKA reports.
Recall that 2.9 million people lived in the republic in 1977. Its
population exceeded 3 million in 1978. It then significantly increased
in the 1980s. As a result, 3.6 million people lived in the country by
the end of 1992.
The director of the Armenian branch of the Institute of CIS countries,
Alexander Markarov, said in an interview with a correspondent of
Vestnik Kavkaza that "the overall trend, which began in the late 80's
` early 90's, was quite negative in terms of the population of
Armenia." "There are several factors. The first is the migration of
the republic, which was caused by the rather complex social and
economic situation in the country in the early 90's. It was quite
disadvantageous during the siege situation. The beginning of the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and its continuation did not help the
increase of the population of Armenia,'' he said.
"And the second factor that continues to exist is the periodic
seasonal labor migration. It takes place in Armenia. Elements of the
seasonal labor migration affect the whole of the population of Armenia
and they are still systemic development factors which determine the
number of people of the republic,'' the expert added.
The head of the parliamentary faction of the Armenian National
Congress, Aram Manukyan, assesses the situation more categorically.
"If the government cannot keep its citizens at home, citizens cannot
find work and cannot support their families, they will leave the
country. It happens basically due to the politicians in power. This is
the main reason," he stressed.
At the same time, according to the deputy, the government does
absolutely nothing to solve this problem. "They even organized the
migration of their people because they don't need active people. In
fact, a few years ago former Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan asked why
they needed people, adding that they could organize a revolution. This
process is beneficial for our government," Manukyan said.
news.am
160 people seek asylum in Armenia in second half of 2015
29.01.2016
YEREVAN. - In the latter half 2015, a total of 160 people sought
asylum in Armenia, and the respective petitions of 32 such individuals
were either denied or terminated.
Head of the Census and Demography Division at the National Statistical
Service of Armenia, Karine Kuyumjyan, said the abovementioned at a
press conference on Friday.
In her words, Armenia granted refugee status to 130 people, whereas
the refugee status of 26 others was terminated in the year past.
In addition, a total of 5,722 foreign nationals received a residence
permit in Armenia, in 2015.
arka.am
The number of marriages decline by 7 percent in Armenia
YEREVAN, January 29. Some 17,603 marriages were celebrated
last year in Armenia, by almost 7% less than in 2014, Karine
Kuyumjyan, the head of census and demography division at the National
Statistical Service, told a news conference today.
She said the largest rate of marriages- 7 per 1000 residents- was
reported by Vayots Dzor province, while the lowest rate was in Tavush
region -4.9 per one thousand residents. She added also that 3,669
divorces were granted last year, down from 4, 496 in 2014.
She said the highest divorce rate was recorded in Lori region -2.1 per
one thousand residents and the lowest in Tavush region -0.5% per one
thousand residents
YEREVAN, January 29. Some 17,603 marriages were celebrated
last year in Armenia, by almost 7% less than in 2014, Karine
Kuyumjyan, the head of census and demography division at the National
Statistical Service, told a news conference today.
She said the largest rate of marriages- 7 per 1000 residents- was
reported by Vayots Dzor province, while the lowest rate was in Tavush
region -4.9 per one thousand residents. She added also that 3,669
divorces were granted last year, down from 4, 496 in 2014.
She said the highest divorce rate was recorded in Lori region -2.1 per
one thousand residents and the lowest in Tavush region -0.5% per one
thousand residents
armenpress.am
Divorce rate declines in Armenia
29 January, 2016
YEREVAN, JANUARY 29. 6 marriages and 1 divorce per 1.000
population has been registered in Armenia in 2015. 17 thousand and 603
marriages were registered in 2015, which is a decline of 6.9% against
2014. 3 thousand and 669 divorces were registered in 2015, which is a
decline of 18.4% against 2014. Karine Kuyumjyan, head of Census and
Demography Division, National Statistical Service of the Republic of
Armenia, introduced the data in a meeting with journalists.
`Armenpress' reports Vayots Dzor Province is the leader in terms of
marriages, where 7 marriages per 1.000 population was registered. `The
marriage index in the capital and a number of provinces is lower than
the average republican index. The lowest index is in Gegharkunik,
Syunik, and Tavush provinces with 4.9 marriages per mil', Karine
Kuyumjyan.
Lori Province is the forerunner in terms of divorces, as well as
capital Yerevan, the divorce rate in the rest of provinces is lower
than the average republican rate. The lowest rate is in Tavush with
0.5 per mil.
According to Karine Kuyumjyan average marriage age has increased:
30.8 for men and 27.3 for women. For the first time the average age
of marriage of men is 29.4 and 26.3 for women.
arka.am
Suicide numbers in Armenia surge by 24 percent last year
YEREVAN, January 29. The number of reported suicides in
Armenia in 2015 skyrocketed by almost 24 percent to shocking 208,
according to police data.
Karine Kuyumjian, head of census and demography division at the
National Statistical Service told a news conference today that overall
722 cases of suicides and suicide attempts were reported last year, by
3.3% more than in 2014.
YEREVAN, January 29. The number of reported suicides in
Armenia in 2015 skyrocketed by almost 24 percent to shocking 208,
according to police data.
Karine Kuyumjian, head of census and demography division at the
National Statistical Service told a news conference today that overall
722 cases of suicides and suicide attempts were reported last year, by
3.3% more than in 2014.
armenianow.com
Unchanged Status: Human rights organizations see no progress
in Armenia
29.01.16
Gohar Abrahamyan
Neither Progress, Nor Regression: Armenia making no headway in TI's
corruption perception index
This week three human rights watchdogs, including two international
organizations, have released their annual reports, showing lack of
progress in terms of human rights protection in Armenia.
United States-based international human rights organization Freedom
House on Wednesday released its annual `Freedom in the World 2016'
survey, which assesses the level of human rights and freedoms in 195
countries and 14 territories around the world, classifying them as
`free', `partly free' and `not free'.
Armenia retained its `partly free' ranking, scoring 5 for `political
rights' and 4 for `civil liberties' on a 7-point scale, with 1
representing the most free and 7 the least free.
Nagorno-Karabakh, presented as a `disputed territory' in the report,
was also ranked as `partly free' unlike Azerbaijan that is included in
the category of `not free' countries.
Armenia's neighbors Turkey and Georgia are `partly free', while Russia
and Iran are `not free'.
Arch Puddington, Vice President for Research at Freedom House, told
VOA that Armenia's unchanging `partly free' status in recent years is
primarily due to the Russian pressure and its negative impact, which
also has made Armenia prefer the Eurasian - and not the European -
Union.
`Armenia is in a very difficult region in terms of human rights,' said
the Freedom House representative. He specified that Armenia is
surrounded by countries such as Azerbaijan and Russia, which have a
very rigid authoritarian system, adding that `it is very difficult for
democrats to function in such surroundings.'
Meanwhile, according to the Human Rights Watch organization, the human
rights situation in Armenia in 2015 remained uneven.
In a report released on Wednesday, the HRW raised serious concerns
about the government's interference with freedom of assembly in
Armenia. Besides, the watchdog also presented concerns regarding media
freedom, poor prison conditions, including overcrowding and
mistreatment, as well as discrimination against LGBT people.
Human rights activists also express their concerns over the legality
of the referendum on constitutional amendments, citing allegations of
widespread vote buying, ballot stuffing, as well as intimidation and
violence against observers.
The annual report of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia published on
January 26 also raises the issue of violence, political persecution,
repression of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly as well as
torture.
In 2015, according to the report, instances of pressure against media
representatives increased by 24 as compared to the previous year, and
violence continued against a number of civic activists.
Both the Human Rights Watch and the Helsinki Committee of Armenia
singled out in their reports the police break-up of a peaceful protest
against the rise in electricity violence on June 23, 2015. More than
200 demonstrators were detained then, a number of journalists also
suffered police brutality during the events.
Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) representatives, however,
dismiss the criticism. Senior RPA lawmaker Hovhannes Sahakyan
describes the latest reports of international human rights
organizations as `not objective'. In particular, regarding the Freedom
House assessments, he told RFE/RL's Armenian Service that he didn't
think that `connecting a country's freedom and democracy to one
geopolitical entity or another is right and fair.'
29.01.16
Gohar Abrahamyan
Neither Progress, Nor Regression: Armenia making no headway in TI's
corruption perception index
This week three human rights watchdogs, including two international
organizations, have released their annual reports, showing lack of
progress in terms of human rights protection in Armenia.
United States-based international human rights organization Freedom
House on Wednesday released its annual `Freedom in the World 2016'
survey, which assesses the level of human rights and freedoms in 195
countries and 14 territories around the world, classifying them as
`free', `partly free' and `not free'.
Armenia retained its `partly free' ranking, scoring 5 for `political
rights' and 4 for `civil liberties' on a 7-point scale, with 1
representing the most free and 7 the least free.
Nagorno-Karabakh, presented as a `disputed territory' in the report,
was also ranked as `partly free' unlike Azerbaijan that is included in
the category of `not free' countries.
Armenia's neighbors Turkey and Georgia are `partly free', while Russia
and Iran are `not free'.
Arch Puddington, Vice President for Research at Freedom House, told
VOA that Armenia's unchanging `partly free' status in recent years is
primarily due to the Russian pressure and its negative impact, which
also has made Armenia prefer the Eurasian - and not the European -
Union.
`Armenia is in a very difficult region in terms of human rights,' said
the Freedom House representative. He specified that Armenia is
surrounded by countries such as Azerbaijan and Russia, which have a
very rigid authoritarian system, adding that `it is very difficult for
democrats to function in such surroundings.'
Meanwhile, according to the Human Rights Watch organization, the human
rights situation in Armenia in 2015 remained uneven.
In a report released on Wednesday, the HRW raised serious concerns
about the government's interference with freedom of assembly in
Armenia. Besides, the watchdog also presented concerns regarding media
freedom, poor prison conditions, including overcrowding and
mistreatment, as well as discrimination against LGBT people.
Human rights activists also express their concerns over the legality
of the referendum on constitutional amendments, citing allegations of
widespread vote buying, ballot stuffing, as well as intimidation and
violence against observers.
The annual report of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia published on
January 26 also raises the issue of violence, political persecution,
repression of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly as well as
torture.
In 2015, according to the report, instances of pressure against media
representatives increased by 24 as compared to the previous year, and
violence continued against a number of civic activists.
Both the Human Rights Watch and the Helsinki Committee of Armenia
singled out in their reports the police break-up of a peaceful protest
against the rise in electricity violence on June 23, 2015. More than
200 demonstrators were detained then, a number of journalists also
suffered police brutality during the events.
Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) representatives, however,
dismiss the criticism. Senior RPA lawmaker Hovhannes Sahakyan
describes the latest reports of international human rights
organizations as `not objective'. In particular, regarding the Freedom
House assessments, he told RFE/RL's Armenian Service that he didn't
think that `connecting a country's freedom and democracy to one
geopolitical entity or another is right and fair.'
armradio.am
European Court delivered 8 judgements against Armenia last year
29 Jan 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The 2015 statistics of the European Court of Human Rights has been
published. According to the report, in all countries of the Council of
Europe, there were a total of 823 judgments in 2015, of which 692
(84%) found at least one violation of the convention.
The States with the highest number of judgments finding at least one
violation of the Convention were Russia (109 judgments), Turkey (79),
Romania (72), Ukraine (50), Greece (43) and Hungary (42).
There were 8 judgments on cases brought against Armenia, and in all
cases at least one violation was found. This number of judgments in
2015 is higher than in 2014, when only 4 judgments were delivered.
The highest number of violations found in Armenian cases concerned the
right to a fair trial (5 violations).
By the end of 2015 the total number of pending cases stood at 64,850,
a decrease of 7 % compared with the end of 2014 (69,900 applications
pending) and more than 50% from a highpoint of 151,600 in 2011.
The countries with the highest number of applications pending before
the Court were Ukraine (21.4% of the total), Russia (14.2%), Turkey
(13%), Italy (11.6%) and Hungary (7.1% ` a sharp increase from 2.6% in
2014); between them, these five countries accounted for over
two-thirds of the total number of pending cases. 958 applications
against Armenia are pending before the Court.
In relation to population, the number of Armenian cases allocated to a
judicial formation in 2015 was 0.40 per 10,000 people ` comparable to
Greece, Luxembourg and Russia. The countries with the highest number
of cases allocated to a judicial formation were Ireland (0.04 per
10,000 people), Denmark (0.08) and the UK (0.09).
armenianow.com
Cancer Controversy: Health authorities in Armenia deny world's
29 Jan 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The 2015 statistics of the European Court of Human Rights has been
published. According to the report, in all countries of the Council of
Europe, there were a total of 823 judgments in 2015, of which 692
(84%) found at least one violation of the convention.
The States with the highest number of judgments finding at least one
violation of the Convention were Russia (109 judgments), Turkey (79),
Romania (72), Ukraine (50), Greece (43) and Hungary (42).
There were 8 judgments on cases brought against Armenia, and in all
cases at least one violation was found. This number of judgments in
2015 is higher than in 2014, when only 4 judgments were delivered.
The highest number of violations found in Armenian cases concerned the
right to a fair trial (5 violations).
By the end of 2015 the total number of pending cases stood at 64,850,
a decrease of 7 % compared with the end of 2014 (69,900 applications
pending) and more than 50% from a highpoint of 151,600 in 2011.
The countries with the highest number of applications pending before
the Court were Ukraine (21.4% of the total), Russia (14.2%), Turkey
(13%), Italy (11.6%) and Hungary (7.1% ` a sharp increase from 2.6% in
2014); between them, these five countries accounted for over
two-thirds of the total number of pending cases. 958 applications
against Armenia are pending before the Court.
In relation to population, the number of Armenian cases allocated to a
judicial formation in 2015 was 0.40 per 10,000 people ` comparable to
Greece, Luxembourg and Russia. The countries with the highest number
of cases allocated to a judicial formation were Ireland (0.04 per
10,000 people), Denmark (0.08) and the UK (0.09).
armenianow.com
Cancer Controversy: Health authorities in Armenia deny world's
`worst' record
29.01.16
Satenik Tovmasyan
Armenia's healthcare specialists deny the country has the world's
worst cancer mortality record after a similar claim made by a leading
international health publication.
The World Life Expectancy website published data earlier this month,
saying that Armenia had the largest number of cancer-caused deaths,
approx. 230, per 100,000 population in 2014 among 172 countries under
review.
The information was widely cited by Armenian media, making officials
respond to the report.
Alexander Bazarchyan, director of the Armenian Health Ministry's
National Institute of Health, says, however, that according to their
data, Armenia had only 189 cancer deaths among 100,000 people in 2014,
which does not make it the worst country in the world by any standard.
Referring to the explanation by the site's founder that their data
were taken from the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the
Armenian healthcare official said: `The WHO has not yet analyzed data
for 2014, it has statistical figures for 2012, by which the cancer
mortality rate [of Armenia] is 188, which is approximately the number
that we have today.
In the article, I saw no reference to a specific report of the WHO.
Some conclusion was made and it is unclear who the author is,' says
Bazarchyan.
The official, who in the past worked as a WHO expert on post-Soviet
countries, says it was also surprising for him to see Zimbabwe in
second place ` next to Armenia ` in the purported rating, considering
that there is no cancer mortality rate data available for this African
country at the WHO.
`I could not find such statistics, since in African countries there is
a high mortality rate from contagious diseases,' he explains.
Bazarchyan adds that they cite the WHO's Health for All Database that
provides indicators to countries of the European region.
In response to an inquiry by the Armenian branch of the Institute for
War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), the World Life Expectancy website's
founder Tom Lidak said that they had no interest in pursuing wrong
data presentation and were ready to admit their mistake if other, more
accurate data is available. At the same time, he added that their
publication made the most accurate presentation of the WHO data.
Satenik Tovmasyan
Armenia's healthcare specialists deny the country has the world's
worst cancer mortality record after a similar claim made by a leading
international health publication.
The World Life Expectancy website published data earlier this month,
saying that Armenia had the largest number of cancer-caused deaths,
approx. 230, per 100,000 population in 2014 among 172 countries under
review.
The information was widely cited by Armenian media, making officials
respond to the report.
Alexander Bazarchyan, director of the Armenian Health Ministry's
National Institute of Health, says, however, that according to their
data, Armenia had only 189 cancer deaths among 100,000 people in 2014,
which does not make it the worst country in the world by any standard.
Referring to the explanation by the site's founder that their data
were taken from the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the
Armenian healthcare official said: `The WHO has not yet analyzed data
for 2014, it has statistical figures for 2012, by which the cancer
mortality rate [of Armenia] is 188, which is approximately the number
that we have today.
In the article, I saw no reference to a specific report of the WHO.
Some conclusion was made and it is unclear who the author is,' says
Bazarchyan.
The official, who in the past worked as a WHO expert on post-Soviet
countries, says it was also surprising for him to see Zimbabwe in
second place ` next to Armenia ` in the purported rating, considering
that there is no cancer mortality rate data available for this African
country at the WHO.
`I could not find such statistics, since in African countries there is
a high mortality rate from contagious diseases,' he explains.
Bazarchyan adds that they cite the WHO's Health for All Database that
provides indicators to countries of the European region.
In response to an inquiry by the Armenian branch of the Institute for
War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), the World Life Expectancy website's
founder Tom Lidak said that they had no interest in pursuing wrong
data presentation and were ready to admit their mistake if other, more
accurate data is available. At the same time, he added that their
publication made the most accurate presentation of the WHO data.
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