Day: May 7, 2024

The first 15 artists compete in the first Semi-Final of Eurovision Song Contest 2024, and 10 will qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final.

Below are the countries participating in the First Semi-Final

• Cyprus: Silia Kapsis – Liar 
• Serbia: Teya Dora – RAMONDA
• Lithuania: Silvester Belt – Luktelk
• Ireland: Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue
• Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil – Teresa & Maria
• Poland: LUNA – The Tower
• Croatia: Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim
• Iceland: Hera Björk – Scared of Heights
• Slovenia: Raiven – Veronika 
• Finland: Windows95man – No Rules!
• Moldova: Natalia Barbu – In The Middle
• Azerbaijan: Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – Özünlə Apar
• Australia: Electric Fields – One Milkali (One Blood)
• Portugal: Iolanda – Grito 
• Luxembourg: Tali – Fighter

Pashinyan’s “Real Armenia” concept  JAMnews

CSTO didn’t want to come to Armenia as an ally, but as a peacekeeper – Prime Minister  ARMENPRESS

In Georgia, Russian Influence Stirs Public Rage  Foreign Policy

Under the auspices of the Armenian Legal Center (ALC), Raffi Kalfayan, representing the Center for International and Comparative Law, and Artak Beglaryan, president of the Artsakh Union, recently joined forces with several Armenian non-governmental organizations to address Azerbaijani atrocities at the U.N. Committee against Torture session in Geneva on April 22-23. Their participation extended to a series of discussions with various U.N. entities.

The focus of the session revolved around Azerbaijan’s compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In response, the Center for International and Comparative Law, the Rights and Justice Center “Tatoyan” Foundation, the “Arbane” Foundation and the “Union for the Protection of the Interests and Rights of the Artsakh People” NGO submitted a comprehensive report on March 18. This report, presented as a counter to Azerbaijan’s fifth periodic report to the committee, highlighted instances of ethnic hatred directed towards Armenians since 2016.

During a briefing for non-governmental organizations, Kalfayan and Beglaryan outlined numerous cases of ethnic hostility perpetrated by Azerbaijan against Armenians, citing the surge in torture and other crimes that escalated in the 2020-2023 Artsakh siege and mass displacement. The duo specifically addressed the grim conditions within Azerbaijani prisons, drawing attention to testimonies from repatriated Armenian prisoners. They emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to safeguard and release Armenians detained in Azerbaijani custody.

In discussions with the Committee against Torture and the Azerbaijani delegation, NGO representatives described Azerbaijan’s dissemination of false information to obfuscate its mass crimes and distort the essence of the Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Todd Buchwald, Committee expert and country co-rapporteur, highlighted reports of violence against Armenian POWs, including a disturbing video depicting an Azerbaijani soldier beheading an Armenian amidst applause from onlookers. Buchwald demanded accountability and justice for such atrocities.

In response, the Azerbaijani delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov, denied allegations of Geneva Conventions violations towards Armenian POWs, claiming that prisoners received proper medical treatment and were repatriated following the November 2020 trilateral declaration. They asserted that investigations into reported abuses were conducted, resulting in disciplinary measures and sentences for offenders.

The Azerbaijani delegation attempted to paint a rosy picture of the country’s human rights record over the past five years. However, despite Sharifov’s assertions of progress, Azerbaijan’s purported reforms are little more than a façade, designed to mask the government’s continued suppression of dissent and systematic human rights abuses.

Sharifov touted legislative amendments and new programs supposedly aimed at bolstering human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, these claims are met with skepticism, given Azerbaijan’s long-standing reputation for stifling dissent and political opposition.

Kalfayan and Beglaryan engaged in discussions with representatives of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. During these meetings, they spotlighted Azerbaijani crimes and the challenges faced by Armenians in Artsakh and Armenia, urging action from international bodies to address these ongoing violations.

The committee is set to release its final remarks regarding Azerbaijan’s report at the conclusion of its 79th session on May 10.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I.—On Sunday, April 28, 2024, the Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode Island commemorated the 109th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide at the Martyrs’ Monument, North Burial Ground, Providence, RI. 

Armenian Genocide commemoration at the Armenian Martyrs Monument at North Burial Ground, Providence, RI

A service in remembrance of the Holy Martyrs was held, and a large procession commenced with flag bearers, clergy, invited guests and wreath presenters surrounded by honor guards from the Armenian Masonic Degree Team, Homenetmen Scouts and Knights of Vartan Arax Tahlij. A beautiful hymn was sung by choir members from the three local Armenian churches under the direction of Maestro Konstantin Petrossian. Officiating clergy Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian, Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin, Rev. Dr. Ara Heghinian and Rev. Hagop Manjelikian conducted a service for the Holy Martyrs with assistance from deacons and service participants from the Armenian Evangelical Church, Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church and Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church. The service began with “The Lord’s Prayer” (“Hayr Mer”) recited by the clergy and all those present, followed by readings from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews, the Holy Gospel according to St. John and the Litany of The Saints. It concluded with the singing of the “Hayr Mer” by the choir and congregation. In addition, soloist Joanne Mouradjian sang a beautiful rendition of “Hrashatsan Bagootsmamp” for the Holy Martyrs.

Click to view slideshow.

The 39th Mayor of Providence Brett Smiley welcomed the community to the city where the Martyrs’ Monument, standing 29 feet tall, is located. Alin K. Gregorian served as the keynote speaker and delivered a strong message linking the1915 Genocide with the 2023 ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Artsakh. Gregorian has been the editor of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator since 1998. She has long volunteered in the community, including at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown, as well as with the Massachusetts committee that commemorates the Armenian Genocide every year at the Massachusetts State House. She received a Massachusetts State House Resolution for contribution to the Armenian-American community in 2018. Professionally, she received a New England Press Association Award for Best Regional Newspaper in 1998. She and her family moved to the U.S. from Iran. She has one daughter, Tenny, and one dog, Luna.

Click to view slideshow.

Following the guest speaker, and to the delight of the approximately 250 attendees, the Armenian school children of Saints Sahag and Mesrob Church and Sts. Vartanantz Church sang “Ov Hayots Kacher” and “Hayer Miatsek” under the direction of Raffi Rachdouni and accompanied by Petrossian. Through their youthful voices, the children illustrated that Armenians continue to live through their faith, culture and long-standing traditions. 

Armenian school students from Sts. Vartanantz Church and Saints Sahag & Mesrob Church

Several elected officials were invited to speak at the commemoration, including the Honorable Dan McKee, the 76th governor of Rhode Island, and United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse. There were several other political leaders in the audience who were recognized individually.

Click to view slideshow.

Although many changes have occurred over the years, the Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode Island has, for the past 47 years, remembered our departed martyrs who were canonized in 2015. We must never forget!

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Участники акции протеста против российского закона перекрыли проезжую часть на проспекте Руставели и направились шествием в сторону главного офиса «Грузинской мечты», где их встретил кордон полиции. Протестующие призывали граждан проявить сплоченность, заявив, что единственная гарантия безопасности это единство. Скандируя: «Грузия! Нет — российскому закону, да — Европе!», от главного офиса «Грузинской мечты» многочисленная толпа протестующих […]

GLENDALE—The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States will host a march to “Save Tavush” on May 8 at 7 p.m., beginning from St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, located at 500 S. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91204, to the Armenian Consulate in Glendale, located at 346 N. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91203.

The AYF-WUS is joined by both the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the Armenian Catholic Church as prominent religious institutions of the Armenian community.

In addition, the AYF-WUS is joined by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States, ARF “Shant” Student Association, AYF Juniors, Homenetmen Western USA, Armenian National Committee Western Region, Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, Armenian Relief Society Western USA, Hamazkayin Western Region, Hayk for Our Heroes, and Unified Young Armenians—all prominent and leading organizations of the Armenian Diaspora united in support of the national movement taking place in the Homeland.

It is imperative that the Armenian Americans of Los Angeles join the youth of the Western United States—a stronghold of the Armenian people—and make a stand to show our brothers and sisters in the Homeland that their efforts are acknowledged and empowered across the world in the diaspora. The AYF urges each and every Armenian to join them in solidarity this Wednesday to make sure the governments of both Armenia and Azerbaijan hear their voices, and to ensure that our Armenian compatriots protesting for self-determination across Armenia know they have the diaspora’s support.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian-American youth organization. With chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political, educational, and cultural awareness of all Armenian-American youth.

For more information, please visit the AYF-WUS website.

ALC confronts Azerbaijani atrocities  Armenian Weekly