Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

28.12.2006
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the whole staff, YCDI NGO cordially congratulates you for the coming holidays. Let us wish you every success in all your initiatives.
With Best Wishes,
YCDI NGO

Regional Youth Meeting in Tbilisi

26.12.2006
During December 22-25, Tatev Kocharyan, the YCDI NGO PR Specialist, participated in the Regional Youth Meeting entitled “Youth Activism and Youth Culture in the South Caucasus”, which took place in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Meeting was organized within the frames of a Trust Building project, implemented by Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (HCA) and was attended by young activists of from the HCA Offices in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Georgia.

Antismoking Campaign in Vanadzor

21.12.2006
On December 21, 2006, YCDI NGO has organized a round table/discussion on the topic of “Application of the RA Law “on realization, consumption and usage restrictions of tobacco” in Vanadzor” within the frames of project entitled Antismoking Campaign in Vanadzor.

The purpose of the round table/discussion was to present the progress of the mentioned project to the interested public organizations in Vanadzor, as well as to increase public awareness regarding the requirements of the RA Law “on realization, consumption and usage restrictions of tobacco”.

Representatives of active NGOs, as well as the mass media functioning in Vanadzor were present at the round table/discussion.

International Human Rights Day

10.12.2006
December 10, is the international Human Rights Day. This day in 1948, the UN General Assembly has adopted the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, which has, for the first time during the human history, has declared throughout the world the principle of universality and the necessity of respect of Human Rights.

On this occasion, YCDI NGO congratulates all those who share the values stated within the Declaration and make all possible efforts for their realization.

Lecture on “Human Rights in the Transforming World”

09.12.2006
On December 9, 2006, an event dedicated to the International Human Rights Day was organized at YCDI NGO, which was attended by NGO members, young lawyers, as well as the students of YCDI NGO Human Rights Law Clinic. Edmon Marukyan, an YCDI NGO Board Member and Human Rights Specialist, has delivered a lecture on the topic of “Human Rights in the Transforming World”. Active discussion on the concept and approaches of Human Rights, as well as on the situation with Human Rights in Armenia has followed the lecture.

Human Rights Education Youth Network Established

04.12.2006
Dear Colleagues,

We are glad to inform you that from November 26 to December 2, a study session: Campaigning for Human Rights Education: Dilemmas and Opportunities for Actors in Youth Work and Non-Formal Education, was held in Budapest, Hungary. This study session seeks to look into ways to contribute to the “all different-all equal campaign” by human rights education and, secondly, to devise strategies to support the sustainability of human rights education activities across Europe. Human Rights Education Youth Network international organization was established during the study session. YCDI NGO, on behalf of its Board Member Edmon Marukyan, has become a founding member of the network. You may find more information on the activities, goals and objectives of the Human Rights Education Youth Network, as well as become acquainted with the membership procedures from: www.hreyn.org

 

01.12.2006
Commonwealth of Independent States – Positive trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more needs to be done.

Positive trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more needs to be done In recent decades, the world has made steady progress towards the complete eradication of the death penalty. One hundred and twenty-nine countries no longer use the death penalty in law or in practice. In 2005, only 23 of

the world’s countries actually carried out executions. On 28 November the meeting of the heads of the states in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year, takes place in Minsk, Belarus. On the eve of the meeting Amnesty International calls on the heads of CIS states to put the issue of the abolition of the death penalty high on their agenda and to do all within their power to make the region a death penalty – free zone...
(More on http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engeur040032006)

 

28.11.2006
Dear Colleagues,
On November 28, 2006, YCDI NGO has conducted a presentation of “Anti-smoking campaign in Vanadzor” project. The project is implemented within the frameworks of grants provided to the non-governmental organizations from the RA State budget, in assistance with the “Center of Public Dialogues and Development”.

During the presentation the aim and objectives of the entire project has been outlined as well as the posters published within the framework of the project have been presented, the purpose of their distribution was emphasized. A call for collaboration and partnership was made by the NGO representatives stressing the joint work towards the implementation of the RA law “About the restrictions of cigarette distribution, consumption and use”. Representatives of local mass media and NGOs took part in the presentation.

 

25.11.2006
On November 24, “Youth Center for Democratic Initiatives” NGO took part in civic campaign-concert entitled “Armenian Youth for Social Justice” organized and carried out by the “Institute for Democracy and Human Rights”.

During the campaign YCDI NGO has distributed booklets and brochures among the participants, presented the posters published within the framework of “Antismoking Campaign in Vanadzor” project and called the youth to join-up with the YCDI NGO and cooperate in terms of the distribution of those posters in Vanadzor.

 

17.11.2006
On November 17, within the frameworks of the “Civic Surveillance for the Protection of Human Rights” Project, YCDI NGO has organized a Round-Table/Discussion dedicated to the protection of the rights of detainees and arrestees. Practicing defending-lawyers, right-protecting NGOs, as well as Mass Media representatives took part in the Round-Table/Discussion.

During the Round-Table/Discussion, Edmon Marukyan, the Project Director, has presented the project goals and the mechanisms of civic surveillance, as well as the report on the unplanned visit to Armenia, carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), which was published a day before the Round-Table/Discussion, on November 16.

The next presenter of the Round-Table/Discussion, Arthur Sakunts, Head of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office, presented the experience of their organization in the protection of the rights of detainees and arrestees. The role of the right-protective organizations, defending-lawyers and the Mass Media has been highly prioritized by the participants of the Round-Table/Discussion and active discussions were followed on the coordinated protection of the rights of detainees and arrestees.

MCC Should Hold Countries to Higher Standards of Democratic Governance

03.11.2006
The American government should withhold foreign assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account from countries which fail to meet reasonable standards of political rights and civil liberties, Freedom House said today.

On November 8, the MCC Board of Directors will select governments eligible to apply for assistance in fiscal year 2007. Freedom House urges the MCC to bypass those countries with low scores on political rights and civil liberties that otherwise meet the eligibility criteria - namely Armenia, Bhutan, Egypt, Jordan, Maldives, Tunisia and Vietnam - during this year's selection process.

Additionally, urges the MCC to rigorously follow up with those countries, like Armenia, that have been awarded compacts but have not met promised benchmarks in the area of democratic governance. Armenia is an important test case of MCC policy, as it signed a compact with the MCC earlier this year but has been backsliding on promised reforms since the agreement was signed.

"Freedom House strongly supports the MCC's efforts to reduce poverty by rewarding sound policies," said Jennifer Windsor, Executive Director of Freedom House. "However, because democratic governance plays such a key role in enabling broader social and economic development, it is vital--if the fund is to be truly effective--that only those governments that have demonstrated commitment to democracy and human rights be eligible to receive MCC funds," she added.

Currently, countries qualify for MCC funding based on their performance on three baskets of indicators that measure "ruling justly," "investing in people," and "economic freedom." At a minimum, a country needs to perform above average in half of the indicators in each of these three categories to qualify for the funds. However, because the agency views corruption as such a serious obstacle to development, a score below average in corruption automatically eliminates a country from consideration for the pool of eligible countries.

Freedom House encourages the MCC to consider officially amending the eligibility process to automatically disqualify any country that falls below the equivalent of a 4 (out of a worst possible 7) on Freedom House's index of civil liberties and political rights, which is used by the MCC to determine a country's level of democratic governance.

"Democratic governance is fundamental to development and can have an enormous effect on a country's future growth. Like anti-corruption efforts, therefore, it should be treated as a priority among priorities by the MCC," said Christopher Walker, Director of Studies at Freedom House. "On occasion, the MCC Board has exercised discretion to eliminate from consideration some of the worst democratic underachievers, and Freedom House would like to see this prioritization formalized as an official standard," he added.

Based on the published MCC scorecards for 2007, Armenia, Bhutan, Egypt, Jordan, Maldives, Tunisia and Vietnam officially pass the MCC criteria even though they fall below the equivalent of a 4 on Freedom House's index of political rights and civil liberties.

Armenia

Armenia has failed in its pledge made to the MCC to improve its institutional commitment to democracy and tolerance of opposition. Allegations of fraud in the November 2005 constitutional referendum have not been investigated, as called for by Ambassador Danilovich, Chief Executive Officer of the MCC. Implementation of the referendum's tepid reforms stalled in 2006, and the opposition expects upcoming parliamentary elections to once again be marred by fraud. Multiple anti-democratic methods are used to maintain a hold on power, including the following:

- Election fraud characterized both the presidential and parliamentary elections of 2003 and the constitutional referendum of 2005. Harassment of opposition supporters, ballot box stuffing, and inflated turnout figures were among the methods used, and the elections were denounced by European observers.

- The judicial branch remains subject to political pressure from the executive branch and suffers from considerable corruption, while proposed reforms have not been implemented.

- While new legislation to improve media independence was passed, the Armenian media climate has not improved and violent attacks on journalists continue.

 

25.10.2006
Dear Colleagues,

We are glad to inform you that since October 20, YCDI NGO has started the implementation of “Anti-smoking campaign in Vanadzor” project. The project is implemented within the frameworks of grants provided to the non-governmental organizations from the RA State budget, in assistance with the “Center of Public Dialogues and Development”.

The aim of the project is to raise public awareness on the requirements and regulations of RA law “About the restrictions of cigarette distribution, consumption and use” and to assist in the application of the law in Vanadzor, through the public surveillance.

 

29.09.2006
The head of the YCDI NGO PR Department, Tatevik Kocharyan, took part in “All different – All Equal” European Youth Event for Diversity, Human Rights and Participation, on September 21-25, in Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation. Over 400 participants were invited from the whole Europe, selected from the organizations dealing with human rights and youth issues, to attend the Event. This campaign is directed towards the eradication of discriminations and ensuring overall equality. The campaign represents the integrity of the youth policy issues and principles of the Council of Europe: participation and involvement, solidarity and social cohesion.

 

25.09.2006
On September 22nd “YCDI” NGO hosted participants of a Contact Making Seminar organized by “Civil Society Institute” NGO. Among the participants there were representatives from Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, as well as Turkey and Georgia. The purpose of the seminar was to introduce the European partner organizations to Armenian and Georgian youth organizations for future potential collaboration.

The Contact Making Seminar took place in Yerevan involving the various Armenian non-governmental organizations. In particular, the seminar participants paid a visited to “Youth Center for Democratic Initiatives” NGO. Edmon Marukyan, a Board Member of YCDI NGO, hosted the guests and made a presentation on the NGO mission, objectives and activities, informed about current and implemented projects. On behalf of the organization, Mr. Marukyan expressed willingness for further cooperation.

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS ASSOCIATION OF WORLD ARMENIAN CONGRESS WAS ESTABLISHED

18.09.2006

On September 17th a conference of representatives of youth NGO members of World Armenian Congress took place in the presidential hall of RA National Academy of Sciences. During the conference “Association of Youth Organizations of the World Armenian Congress” was founded, the statute of the association was approved as well as the elections of the governing council were conducted. YCDI NGO board member Edmon Marukyan was elected as one of the members of the council consisting of 11 members.

During the conference the youth have made a declaration to all the young Armenians in the world calling for collaboration for the sake of commendable future, the welfare of the international community and peaceful coexistence. Then, the representatives of the “Association of Youth Organizations of the World Armenian Congress” paid a visit to Tsitsernakaberd to put flowers to the memorial of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

"HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH" HAS SENT A LETTER TO THE COURT OF CASSATION

15.09.2006
The International Organization “Human Rights Watch” which struggles for the protection of humanm rights is more than 70 countries has sent a letter to Armenia, in particular to the President of the RA Court of Cassation, Hovhannes Manoukyan.

Your Honor,

Please accept my greetings on behalf of Human Rights Watch. As you may know, Human Rights Watch is an independent, international human rights organization that advocates respect for human rights in some seventy countries worldwide, including Armenia.

We are writing to express our deep concern regarding allegations of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment relating to the case of Razmik Sargsian, Musa Serobian and Arayik Zalian, convicted of murdering two of their fellow conscript soldiers. The Court of Cassation received a request to hear an appeal in this case on September 11, 2006.

On May 13, 2005, the Syunik Marz Court of first instance sentenced Razmik Sargsian, Musa Serobian and Arayik Zalian to fifteen years of imprisonment. On May 30, 2006, the Court of Appeals changed the sentence to life imprisonment.

During a recent mission to Armenia, Human Rights Watch collected information about the case. Taking no position on the defendants’ innocence or guilt, we are profoundly concerned that the verdicts of both courts were largely based on the confession of one of the defendants, Razmik Sargsian. There are reasonable grounds to believe that his confession was made following subjection to torture and other cruel treatment. Sargsian stated first to his lawyer and then later in court that after he had been initially questioned as a witness in the case on April 19, 2004, he was subjected to several days of brutal beatings and psychological pressure by the military procuracy investigators, as a result of which he confessed to the crime and incriminated Serobian and Zalian as his accomplices. Sargsian states that the investigators handcuffed his hands behind his back, suspended him from his hands and beat him in this position. They also threatened him with rape. In a video tape of the confession, Sargsian’s face was swollen and bruised, strongly suggesting that he had suffered ill-treatment prior to making the confession.

Later, during the pretrial investigation and at the trial Sargsian stated his innocence saying that he had been forced under physical and psychological pressure into making the confession. The other defendants, Serobian and Zalian, also told the court they had been tortured during interrogations by investigating officers, and they never pleaded guilty. The Syunik Marz court, however, did not investigate the allegations of ill-treatment and denied the defense’s motions that were introduced to substantiate the torture complaints. For instance, the court refused to grant the defense’s motion to do an examination of the wooden floor in the investigation room in which the men were questioned. According to the defense, the floor has blood stains as result of the torture of Sargsian, Serobian and Zalian. The court also refused to examine medical documents from the hospital where Sargsian was taken during his hunger strike which indicate a variety of medical problems, some of which appear to be the result of beatings.

In addition, in its verdict the court did not address numerous contradictions in the prosecution’s case, including those related to the date, hour, place, and method of the killing.

The defendants’ lawyer has submitted an application to the European Court of Human Rights alleging numerous violations of the European Convention on Human Rights with respect to the defendants.

International treaties to which Armenia is a party, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment prohibit the use of torture. These treaties also emphasize that statements made under torture cannot be invoked as evidence, except against a person accused of torture. International law also obliges states to guarantee defendants’ right to a fair trial and to ensure that any criminal proceedings areconducted in accordance with fundamental due process requirements. The failure to uphold these standards would constitute serious breaches of Armenia’s international obligations.

Your honor, we hope that the Court of Cassation, will be fully mindful as it reviews the case that it does so in accordance with Armenia’s binding human rights obligations.

Human Rights Watch believes that it is very important that given the credible allegations of torture in this case, and Armenia’s obligations to do so, that a prompt investigation into the allegations is ordered, and that all measures are put in place to ensure that any conviction based on evidence coerced under torture does not stand.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter,
Sincerely, Holly Cartner
Executive Director
Europe and Central Asia Division
www.a1plus.am

YCDI NGO BECAME A MEMBER OF WORLD ARMENIAN CONGRESS

12.09.2006

Dear colleagues,
It is a great honor for us to inform you that in accordance with the decision of the bureau of World Armenian Congress, which operates since 2003, “Youth Center for Democratic Initiatives” NGO became a member of international organization “World Armenian Congress”.

 

04.09.2006
Within a framework of “Civic Surveillance for Protection of Human Rights” project, implemented in assistance with the Northern Branch of “NGO Center”, Counterpart International (CPI)/Civic Advocacy Support Program (CASP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the YCDI NGO has published leaflets that provide information about the current project, public monitoring, as well as on the basic rights of arrestees and detainees. These leaflets will be distributed among arrestees and detainees, their relatives, as well as any other interested parties.

Download:

Informationa leaflets.pdf

International Youth Day

12.08.2006

On December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly, endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) thus declaring the 12th of August an International Youth Day, in its resolution 54/120.

It is with great honor that the “Youth Center for Democratic Initiatives” NGO congratulates You on the occasion of International Youth Day! We wish you hold active civic positions regarding any public or political issue, take initiatives and bring Your participation in the process of making and implementing of important decisions.

"No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to envolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts itself off from its youth severs its lifeline."

Kofi Annan, UN General Secretary

 

03.08.2006
Dear Colleagues,

We are glad to inform you that since August 2006, YCDI NGO has commenced the implementation of “Civic Surveillance for Protection of Human Rights” project, in assistance with the Northern Branch of “NGO Center”, Counterpart International (CPI)/Civic Advocacy Support Program (CASP) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project will focus on the conduction of civic surveillance in the criminal-executive institutions under the jurisdiction of RA Ministry of Justice and in Detention Centers under the jurisdiction of RA Police. It is directed towards the protection of the rights of detainees and arrestees. Within the frameworks of this project, YCDI NGO will closely collaborate with public monitoring groups observing the criminal-executive institutions under the jurisdiction of the RA Ministry of Justice and in the detention centers under the jurisdiction of the RA Police.

Information about the further course of implementation of this project will be made available on our web site on a regular basis.

Public discussion on the draft “Law on non-governmental organizations”

24.07.2006

“Professionals for Civil Society” NGO has organized a public discussion on the draft “Law on non-governmental organizations”, which took place on the 21 of July, in the NGO conference room located at 14 Nzhdeh street. The purpose of the public discussion was to reflect on possible legislative solutions supporting NGO financial sustainability. As a member of the expert group developing the draft “law on non-governmental organizations”, “YCDI” NGO board member Edmon Marukyan, has presented the document and then answered to questions posed by around 30 NGO and Mass Media representatives from Vanadzor that participated in the discussion.

Download:

Armenian version of draft “law on non-governmental organizations”

“All Different – All Equal”

29.06.2006
The pan-European Youth Campaign entitled “All Different – All Equal” has commenced today in Strasbourg, France directed towards Diversity, Human Rights and participation. In 1995, 50 years after the end of World War II, the Council of Europe ran a European Youth Campaign entitled “All Different – All Equal” in order to reinforce the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, Xenophobia and Intolerance. But the struggle – 10 years afterwards – still goes on. For this reason, from June 2006 to September 2007, the Council of Europe will run a new Campaign for Diversity, Human Rights and Participation, based upon the same slogan and using the same successful logo.

Core content of the “All Different – All Equal” Campaign;

Diversity is condition for cultural and social life, and belongs to the very character of Europe. The promotion of diversity – especially as prerequisite for overcoming discrimination – starts at local level. The Campaign will promote diversity throughout all its activities and will stress the importance of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue as a condition for social cohesion.

The European Convention of Human Rights is what holds us together as Europe. But next to this Convention there is something else: the understanding of human rights and knowledge about them, through the Campaign we will try to expand the consideration that is given – by different actors on the European scene – to human rights.

Participation is the key concept in active democratic citizenship and the prerequisite for a fully inclusive society. The Campaign will have a particular focus on youth participation, as this can contribute to fighting structural discrimination and promoting diversity.

27.03.06
On March 25th a movie presentation and discussion took place in the office “Youth Center for Democratic Initiatives” NGO. The subject of the event was “The Council of Europe and the Protection of Human Rights”. Right after the movie a discussion with an experienced human rights expert was held. The guest speaker was YCDI board member and Human Rights Expert Mr. Edmon Marukyan.
The event was attended by Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program Alumni and ABA/CEELI Armenia based “Mkhitar Gosh” Armenian-Russian International University Legal Clinic students.
The aims of the event were

• to provide event participants with skills on Council of Europe and European Convention on Human Rights as it is also implemented in our country, thus each citizen should have know the rights and freedoms guarantied by it,
• to provide with more detailed information about the entire construction of the European Court on Human Rights through the movie and the discussion.

“Human Rights Protection Mechanisms” reference brochure

25.01.06
Dear colleagues,
It is a great honour for us to inform you that the "Human Rights Protection Mechanisms" project was successfully completed in January 2006. It was funded by the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administrated by the International Research and Exchanges Board. At the end of the project this Reference Brochure has been published, which contains the results of the sociological survey, including the list of most frequently violated rights, brief legal guidelines for citizens as well as covering the national mechanisms of protection of their rights and basic freedoms. Thus, the outcome of entire project is to raise the sense of justice and right-protection power of the population, which will allow them to be more knowledgeable and capable in protection of their rights.

Download:

Human Rights Protection Mechanisms Brochure.pdf