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Day: December 12, 2024
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Prime Minister Netayahu’s Message to the Iranian People:
“Your oppressors spent over 30 billion dollars supporting Assad in Syria. After only 11 days of fighting, his regime collapsed into dust.” pic.twitter.com/njhjXyHmmF— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 12, 2024
Western countries are trying to create a new conflict in the #SouthCaucasus. #Armenia has become a toy in the hands of the West. Countries that are not part of the region should not interfere in what is happening here. Any alternative to peace will be disastrous for #Armenia.
— Babaeva_Lale (@Babaeva_Lale) December 12, 2024
Western countries are trying to create a new conflict in the #SouthCaucasus. #Armenia has become a toy in the hands of the West. Countries that are not part of the region should not interfere in what is happening here. Any alternative to peace will be disastrous for #Armenia.
— Babaeva_Lale (@Babaeva_Lale) December 12, 2024
Anthony Blinken: “She returned knowing that she might be arrested on arrival.”
The U.S. Department of State awarded Sevinj Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief of AbzasMedia, with the “Champions of Combating Corruption” award.
Sevinj is known for her work on corruption investigations, and she is currently imprisoned.
In his speech, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted Sevinj’s devotion over the past decade in exposing government abuses.
“She is also the one awardee who is not with us this afternoon. In November 2023, Sevinj flew home from an overseas country amid a crackdown on Azerbaijani independent media. She returned knowing that she might be arrested on arrival. She was. Now, more than a year later, she remains in detention. Prior to her arrest Sevinj wrote and I quote, ‘I don’t feel fear anymore. I know what they can do. It does not stop me. It is more important to be useful to the people. People need us’”
-Antony Blinken
Blinken also expressed gratitude to the ten anti-corruption champions for their courage. He said it was an honor to partner with them in this fight. The Department of State created the “Champions of Combating Corruption” award in 2021 to recognize individuals who have made significant progress in fighting corruption and to show the U.S. government’s solidarity with them.
This year’s award recipients include journalists, human rights defenders, judges, and even government officials who have facilitated major institutional changes. Other awardees include Jorge Mora Cortes from Colombia, Matrika Daxal from Nepal, Altin Dumani from Albania, Srbukhy Galyan from Armenia, Carl Irani from Lebanon, Marr Nyang from Gambia, Javier Enrique Caraballo Salazar from Panama, Didar Smagulov from Kazakhstan, and Jimmy Spyre Ssentongo from Uganda. Blinken emphasized that each recipient made a difficult decision to help their own citizens and all the people around the world, and their dedication, along with those of others, we are in a better place now.
AbzasMedia, the organization behind Sevinj’s work, has also faced significant challenges. Six of its employees, including the general manager Ulvi Hasanlı, assistant Muhammad Kekalov, editor Sevinj Vagifgiz, reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, and investigative journalist Hafız Babali, have been arrested. These individuals are facing charges of smuggling, with some detained since November 2023.
On May 31, 2024, journalist and economist Farid Mehralizade from the “Azadlig” radio station was arrested, and a search was conducted at his home. He was accused under Article 206.3.2 of the Penal Code, which concerns smuggling by a group of individuals who had previously made secret agreements. The Khatai District Court decided to detain him for security reasons. On the same day, AbzasMedia issued a statement declaring that Mehralizade had no connection to the media organization.
Following this, each of the detainees in the AbzasMedia case was faced with additional serious charges related to financial matters. Since November 2023, nearly 20 journalists and social activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges. None of these individuals have been charged based on their professional activities or political affiliations.
According to local human rights organizations, there are currently around 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons. Authorities typically assert that no one has been detained solely for political reasons related to their professional activities. However, both local and international human rights organizations believe these arrests are politically motivated, and they are calling for the release of the detainees and the withdrawal of the charges against them.
The post Sevinj Vagifgizi honored as anti-corruption champion appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
Armenian government to help borrowers repay debts
The Armenian government has decided to support individuals deemed “high-risk borrowers” by local banks, as they have been unable to repay their loans for at least three years. The programme targets borrowers whose outstanding principal debt does not exceed 1 million drams ($2,500). Assistance will only be available to individuals officially registered as employees of an organisation, a mandatory condition. Preliminary estimates suggest that 218,000 people may qualify for the programme.
The initiative has already been approved by the Cabinet. Applications for assistance will be accepted starting February 2025, when an online platform for submissions becomes operational.
“The aim is to help potential beneficiaries restore their economic activity, enable them to work legally, and rebuild their creditworthiness and reputation,” the project’s authors explained.
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Borrowers to receive financial aid equivalent to their income tax payments
The essence of the project is that beneficiaries will receive financial aid equivalent to the income tax deducted from their salaries. This amount will be directed toward repaying their loan obligations.
The duration of financial assistance will not exceed 24 months, starting from the beginning of the month immediately following the approval of the application for aid.
During these two years, 20% of the participant’s salary will also be allocated to loan repayment.
Only 20% are registered employees
Labour and Social Affairs Minister Narek Mkrtchyan reported that only 20% of the potential beneficiaries, or 43,600 out of 218,000 people, are officially employed.
“The majority of high-risk borrowers work informally. Some are also registered in the vulnerability assessment system as low-income families and receive state benefits,” he stated.
According to the “Labour Market in Armenia-2023” study published by the Statistical Committee in December 2023, 434,200 people in Armenia are employed informally, meaning they work without a formal employment contract.
The minister emphasised that approximately 65% of potential beneficiaries are aged 26-50, describing this age group as the “most active working period.”
Mkrtchyan noted that most unemployed individuals “drop out of economic activity processes, including losing access to modern financial tools.”
Additionally, this situation negatively impacts the social guarantees the state could provide them, particularly the size of their future pensions.
The government expects that by the end of the programme’s application period, 31 January 2026, around 60% of the target group (131,000 people) will benefit. The programme’s authors also anticipate that approximately 90,000 people will gain formal employment contracts as a result of the initiative.
“This is not debt forgiveness”
According to the Central Bank, as of October 1, 2024, the number of borrowers with poor credit histories exceeds 340,000, with a total debt burden of 642 billion drams ($1.6 billion). In April 2023, this figure stood at 525 billion drams ($889 million).
“The debt burden has increased by more than 100 billion. This prompted us to consider implementing a programme for people facing difficult life circumstances,” Narek Mkrtchyan stated during a government meeting.
He emphasised that this is not about debt forgiveness but about providing people with the opportunity to repay their loans through their own work.
Armenian government to help borrowers repay debts