Breaking
EU ‘Very Concerned’ with Aliyev’s Latest Territorial Claims from Armenia
The EU expressed serious concern over Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s latest territorial claims from Armenia when he doubled down on his scheme to have a land “corridor” through Armenia to Nakhichevan.
Azerbaijan’s Delegation Faces PACE Restrictions Over Electoral Transparency and Human Rights Issues
German lawmaker Frank Schwabe spearheaded the initiative, highlighting ongoing human rights violations and the increasing number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan. He also pointed to the violent displacement of people from Nagorno-Karabakh and Baku’s refusal to allow PACE delegation access to evaluate the snap presidential elections and the denial of entry to the Lachin corridor in 2023.
Monument Watch: Azerbaijan Vandalized Fraternal Cemetery In Nagorno-Karabakh
Azerbaijan has vandalized Haterk village cemetery in Nagorno-Karabakh, reports Monument Watch.
The UN Special Rapporteur has recently published
a report revealing Azerbaijan’s alleged plans to eradicate all tangible traces of Armenians’ historical presence in Nagorno- Karabakh.
U.S. Congress
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Condemn Dangerous Rhetoric from Aliyev
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-12), David G. Valadao (CA-21), and Adam B. Schiff (CA-30) released a statement condemning dangerous statements made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in his January 10 interview to local TV networks, laying claim to Armenian territory and refusing to withdraw his troops.
- Highlights that it is past time to hold the Aliyev regime accountable for its belligerent rhetoric and actions against Armenians in the South Caucasus.
- Urges the United States and regional partners to employ every diplomatic tool, including sanctions, to ensure the territorial integrity of Armenia and counter Aliyev’s explicit threats.
U.S. Regional News
Los Angeles Leaders Call on Azerbaijan to Release Armenian Prisoners
The Armenian International Women’s Association held an ecumenical event at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. In attendance was Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
“The Armenian hostages and prisoners are not mere statistics. We
must and we will leverage our voices to condemn these atrocities,”
Barger said. This, just days after she had spearheaded a resolution passed unanimously by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to demand the prisoners’ release and impose sanctions on the Azerbaijani political leadership.
World Leaders, NGOs Condemn Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh
European Parliament Member Condemns Brutality of Azerbaijani Regime
“After all, the squares of this shameless authoritarian bingo card have been ticked off, the EU’s oil and gas deal with Azerbaijan is signed, in the same breath that we can’t do business with the authoritarian Russia, we’ll do it with these valiant defenders of democracy and human rights,” Clare Daly, member of the European Parliament, states, mentioning Azerbaijan’s war crimes and grotesquely evil trophy park in Baku.
EU Emphasizes Key Concerns Following CoE Commissioner’s Observations on Karabakh Armenians’ Forcible Deportations
- Highlights the CoE Commissioner’s observations post-visit, echoing EU concerns about the challenging situation arising from the mass exodus of Karabakh Armenians after Azerbaijan’s 2023 aggression.
- Emphasizes the importance of ensuring the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, advocating for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons to Karabakh.
- Welcomes the joint statement by Armenia and Azerbaijan, announcing the mutual release of detainees.
- Remains committed to facilitating dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Freedom House President Warns: Azerbaijani Regime Threatens Armenia’s Borders After Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh
“The repressive Azerbaijani regime, which recently succeeded in the complete ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, continues to threaten the borders of the Republic of Armenia. That country, a nascent democracy, has effectively been abandoned by its traditional ally in Moscow, but its outreach to Europe and the United States has yet to result in substantial protection.”
Armenian President, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Discuss Humanitarian Catastrophe in Nagorno-Karabakh
The President of Armenia has met with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Grandi inquired about the social protection and accommodation conditions, as well as other humanitarian issues, of more than 100,000 forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno- Karabakh.
Défis Humanitaires’ President Concludes Visit to Armenia
“Proportional to the Armenian population of less than three million, the 100,000 Armenian refugees from Artsakh would represent 2.7 million refugees arriving in France in less than 10 days. This gives an idea of the scale of their reception and integration,” the report states.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Testimonies from Nagorno-Karabakh that the World Ignored
The Arakelyan family, leaving Vank village with nothing, faced a harrowing ordeal after departing from the shelter. Throughout this period, Liana remained in the dark about her 62-year-old mother, Elmira, until she arrived in Stepanakert. In the days that followed, the family learned that Mrs. Elmira had been held captive by Azerbaijanis, enduring a cycle of regular beatings, suffering from a broken shoulder caused by the butt of a weapon, and facing the cruel reality of hunger.
Voices from Baku Pogroms 1990: Testimonials of a Tragic Chapter for Armenians
34 years ago this month, Azerbaijan unleashed a state-sponsored massacre targeting the Armenian population in Baku. The Baku Pogrom, spanning from January 13th to January 19th, 1990, was organized by Azerbaijan, resulting in the expulsion of the entire Armenian population. Official U.S. legislative appeals were directed to Mikhail Gorbachev about the murders, tortures, and property destruction suffered by the ethnic Armenians in Baku.
Center for Truth and Justice shares harrowing testimonials, including that of a 73-year-old Armenian woman from Nagorno-Karabakh who survived the Baku massacres. She witnessed the killings, beatings, and threats of genocide in Baku, managing to survive, only to face displacement again in September 2023 due to Azerbaijan’s ongoing ethnic cleansing.
Giving Birth in the Clutches of Blockade and Displacement
During Azerbaijan’s ten-month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, hundreds of pregnant women endured fear and deprivation instead of experiencing the joy of approaching motherhood.
“My child was born prematurely during the blockade. The circumstances were dire, with cold, food shortages, as well as constant tension and fear. I spent most of my time standing in queues. While waiting to buy fruit, I was pushed and fell. I didn’t feel well and was hospitalized. During our journey to Armenia, we experienced over 24 hours of standstill traffic. The journey was almost unbearable with the children but we somehow made it,” states Knar Tonyan, a young refugee from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a Feminist Issue
By Sara Weinstein
Since Azerbaijan’s invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh, around 75% of refugees are women and children.
Zarine Ghazrayan is an ethnic Armenian from Nagorno-Karabakh. On
September 19, she was in a nearby town getting formula for her
baby, a purchase that was restricted in her town by Azerbaijan’s blockade. With news of a possible bombing in her hometown from Azerbaijani forces, Zarine rushed home. Once home, she found two of her sons dead and the third seriously injured.
Photos of the week
Karabakh Armenians gather with their children as they participate in a baptism ceremony held at a local church in Masis, Armenia.
Local Armenians protest in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter, building a barricade to resist the survival threat posed by a controversial real estate deal.
Photo Courtesy of BBC.
In a Daycare Center, a refugee child poses, wearing a T-shirt with the sentiment: ‘Never Give Up.’
Security
USAID Administrator: I presented to the President of Armenia our Strong Support for Armenia’s Democracy
“I spoke with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan on the margins of WEF24 about our strong support for Armenia’s democracy and the people of Armenia,” Samantha Power stated in X.
Armenian DM, US Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Defense Cooperation
The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and Ambassador Kvien discussed “issues on the Armenian-American cooperation in the defense sector and regional security, as well as issues of mutual interest.”
EU Council Approves EUMA`s Enlargement Decision
The Council of the European Union has approved its Decision on the enlargement of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) from 138 to 209 people.
“EU is committed to support peace and security in the region,” stated the Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Vassilis Maragos, in X.
EUMA Marks 1,500 Patrols to the Areas Bordering Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Still Occupies Over 150 Square Kilometers of Armenia
Armenian President Meets with U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry, UN’s Guterres
Armenian Envoy to the CoE Committee of Ministers: Recent Statements by Azerbaijani Leadership Undermine Peace Process
- Highlights Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human
Rights observations exposing Azerbaijan’s false narratives on the
Lachin Corridor blockade and forced displacement of Nagorno-
Karabakh Armenians during visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh. - Underscores that recent statements by Azerbaijan’s highest political leadership seriously undermine the peace process.
- Emphasizes that Azerbaijan’s warmongering rhetoric, refusal to implement previous agreements, and threats of force against Armenia do not contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.
- Calls on the international community, including the CoE, to act decisively and take strong measures to deter Azerbaijan from further escalating the situation in the region.
EU Envoy Also Avoids Trip To Baku
Just like a U.S. envoy, the European Union’s special representative to the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, did not proceed to Baku after holding talks with senior Armenian officials in Yerevan.
Armenian PM, Javier Colomina Discuss Armenia-NATO Cooperation
The interlocutors expressed concern regarding the Azerbaijani president’s recent statements, which contradict the entire logic of negotiations and contribute to tension in the region.
Armenian FM: Azerbaijan Refuses to Resume the Negotiations in the Existing Frameworks
Opinion
When the World is Distracted: Azerbaijan Ethnic Cleanses Armenians
By Mark Kahanding
What is interesting to note is how Azerbaijan chose to start its offensive. Disguising their intention as eco-activism, Azerbaijan wanted a plausible claim to blockading Artsakh to prevent the international community from outright condemning their advances. In blockading Artsakh for over 6 months, it crippled the Armenian population living inside. When the blockade was lifted, it allowed Azerbaijan to seize Artsakh without worrying about a rebellious population.
A “Frozen Conflict” Boils Over: Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 and Future Implications
By Walter Langraf and Nareg Seferian
- Washington, along with European partners, could offer
technical border management expertise as an alternative or
supplement to Russian oversight. - The US should mitigate the risk of renewed escalation,
specifically the possibility of Azerbaijani cross-border incursions, through a combination of diplomacy and threats of sanctions. - The US should facilitate integrating displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh into Armenia through more humanitarian aid.
- The US and its allies and partners should support a return of the refugees and an amnesty deal within the broader goal of creating a stable atmosphere and enduring peace.
EU, U.S. Elections Could Test Armenia’s Resilience
By Hovhannes Nazaretyan
The geopolitical landscape in the region remains precarious. The persistent calls for a Russian-controlled corridor and the potential changes in the EU and U.S. leadership pose additional challenges for Armenia.
Armenians Won’t Accept Loss of Artsakh
By Susan Korah
Grieving the loss of their beloved homeland, and haunted by fears of an erasure of their 1,700-year-old history as a Christian nation in Artsakh, their collective anguish can only be described by the Welsh word “hiraeth” (a mixture of yearning, nostalgia, wistfulness and an intense longing for a lost homeland.)
Can Diplomacy Reform Dictators? Their Children Hold the Clue
By Michael Rubin
Is Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sincere about peace? The antics of his children, Leyla Aliyev, Arzu Aliyev, and Heydar Aliyev, suggest he sees his family as above the law, raising questions about any diplomatic deal that negotiators might strike.
Jerusalem: Armenian Christians Fight Controversial Land Deal
By Yolande Knell
While Christmas may be a distant memory for many, the Armenians of Jerusalem only just held their annual celebration on 19 January. This year, the holiday was overshadowed by the war in Gaza and the ongoing threat to the survival of the community from a deeply controversial real estate deal.
How the US Should Respond to Turkey’s Strings-Attached Gift to Sweden
By Michael Rubin
The United States should provide no F-16s until Turkey agrees to
stop using F-16s against Kurds, the backbone of the anti-Islamic
State coalition. Likewise, Congress must also demand restrictions on
third-party transfers, especially after Turkey used F-16s during Azerbaijan’s 2020 assault on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
