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1. ANC-UK Inaugural Gala Dinner
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Thank you for being part of a unique evening for the Armenian community and for our advocacy in the UK!
Thanks to the support we received form the community, the ANC-UK’s First Fundraising Gala Dinner was a resounding success, made possible by the incredible support of all of you. We feel humbled and reinvigorated by the level of support we received, a testament to the untapped potential of the British Armenian community. This event raised £36,000 out of the £45,000 annual target.
Due to the success of the evening, we are hoping this event will be an annual event and the beginning of a new chapter of our work.
We further extend our deepest gratitude to all attendees, donors, and volunteers who contributed to making this event so special. A special thanks to the distinguished parliamentarians and dignitaries who joined us, including Tim Loughton, Lord Alton of Liverpool, Sir John Whittingdale MP, Jessica Morden MP, Chris Law MP, Andrew Rosindell MP, and Councillor Peter Mason.
We also extend our gratitude to the members of the Gala’s organising committee; Alice Tanielian, Paula Killian, Anoushka Kurkjian, Natalie Michaelian and also Raffi Killian for being a wonderful MC, and lastly Taline Dadourian for her backstage assistance.
Our gratitude to the community organisations who attended the event, supporting the Armenian cause and our advocacy: Armenian Community Council of the UK, Navasartian Trust, Armenian Relief Society of GB, Homenetmen London, Armenian Youth Federation London Khanasor, AGBU, and Armenian Institute.
Guests enjoyed captivating performances, including traditional Armenian dances by the Akhtamar Dance Group, a stunning operatic performance by Anais Thomas and Aris Nadirian, and a beautiful musical opening by Lucine Musaelian. Key highlights included inspirational speeches from Tim Loughton, Jessica Morden MP, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan and Dr. Garen Arevian, a heartfelt tribute to Tim Loughton, and an engaging live auction led by incredible and extremely entertaining Kev Orkian. Awards were presented to Peter Mason (Community Award) and Emile Ghessen (Media Award) for their outstanding contributions.
Our heartfelt appreciation to Mrs Violet Tatevossian for sponsoring the event, and to Mr and Mrs Lakatos, Mr and Mrs Gulbenkian, Mr and Mrs Tanielian, Mr and Mrs Kurkjian, Serj Tankian, and Victoria Aslanian for donating the auction items, including VIP tickets to the 2025 LTA Championships at Queen’s Club, a private winery tour and tasting at ArmAs Estate Winery in Armenia, a luxurious two-night escape in the Peak District, and club-level tickets to an Arsenal F.C. match. Guests also had the chance to win a VIP opening night experience at the English National Ballet, rare memorabilia signed by Serj Tankian of System of a Down, and an unforgettable one-week stay at a luxury villa in Zakynthos, Greece.
Thank you to all who attended and supported this milestone event!
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Tim Loughton – Appreciation Award
Former Conservative Member of Parliament for East Worthing and Shoreham, and former Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia (APPG), Tim Loughton also served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families.
A staunch advocate for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the UK Parliament, he has consistently raised awareness about Azerbaijan’s war crimes against Armenia and Artsakh, as well as the ethnic cleansing in the region. His unwavering support for issues critical to the Armenian community has earned him recognition. |
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Peter Mason – Community Award
Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Peter Mason has worked closely with local Armenian organizations, fostering community engagement and supporting cultural initiatives.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Ealing Green and was recently elected to Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC). |
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Emile Ghessen – Media Award
A former Royal Marines Commando turned documentary filmmaker, Emile Ghessen has used his platform to highlight global conflicts, particularly the struggles of the Armenian people during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
His documentary 45 Days: The Fight for a Nation has amplified Armenian voices and raised international awareness about the challenges faced by the people of Artsakh. |
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Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate and Pontifical Legate Diocese of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland, blessed us with his attendance and relayed an important message which you can read below:
Today, we have gathered with a shared purpose: to raise funds for the promotion of human rights, justice, and advocacy through ANC UK. This evening marks a significant moment as we unite our efforts to build a better future for Armenians and all communities who seek justice and peace.
Just yesterday, the world observed Holocaust Memorial Day, a solemn occasion to honour the memory of those who perished in one of history’s darkest chapters. At Auschwitz-Birkenau, world leaders reflected on the horrors of the Holocaust and renewed their commitment to ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.
We, too, joined in this global remembrance by attending events and lighting candles in our windows. I lit a candle in memory of the victims of the Shoah, praying for their eternal peace and for the world’s continued vigilance to ensure that such horrors never recur.
On this occasion, I also prayed in loving remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. I prayed for my maternal great-grandmother, a survivor of those dark days; for her mother, Rebeka, who was brutally killed during the death marches to the Syrian deserts; for her brother, Megerdich, who perished of starvation on those marches; and for her sister, Anoush, who was tragically taken. Their stories, like the stories of so many others, serve as a painful reminder that genocide does not end with killing—it lingers through denial, erasure, and silence.
I share these reflections because both the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide teach us that atrocities do not begin in concentration camps or on death marches. They begin in public spaces with the demonisation of individuals, the spread of false narratives, hate speech, and a lack of accountability for such acts.
Today, Armenians continue to suffer the enduring consequences of Genocide through ongoing denial, the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, and the destruction of cultural heritage. These realities remind us of the importance of advocacy and unity in combating injustice and building a better future.
This is why our gathering tonight is so meaningful. ANC UK plays a critical role in raising awareness, building alliances, and promoting justice and peace. As Armenians, we are strengthened by unity, resilience, and the collective power of our community. Together, with our friends and partners, we can continue this vital work.
Let us pray:
Gracious and loving God,
As we gather here this evening to enjoy fellowship and share in this gala dinner, we remember all those who need help and support.
Bless this gathering and all those who have worked tirelessly to organise this event.
Bless us, O Lord, and guide our actions so that they may benefit others and promote justice and peace.
We also give thanks for the friendships and partnerships between Armenia and the United Kingdom. We ask for Your blessings upon those who work tirelessly to strengthen these ties through diplomacy, connections, and parliamentary efforts.
Bless this gathering, O Lord, and guide our efforts with Your wisdom and love.
Amen.
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2. The sham trial of Artsakh-Armenians illegally held in Azerbaijan
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The Azerbaijani regime started the politically motivated and fabricated trial against former Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) state officials on January 17 in Baku.
These individuals, alongside other Armenian hostages, are being subjected to baseless charges stemming from their illegal arrests in late 2023.
These arrests occurred following Azerbaijan’s genocidal aggression, which led to the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh. This trial represents a blatant violation of human rights and international law. |
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Statement by Ruben Vardanyan, Armenian political prisoner illegally incarcerated in Azerbaijan, on January 16, ahead of the sham trial that will begin on January 17:
“I, Ruben Vardanyan, have been detained at the Detention Center of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan since September 27, 2023 – more than 470 days in total, including 340 days in solitary confinement and 23 days in a punishment cell. I would like to make an official statement before the start of the trial. If you are reading these words, it means that I have exhausted all other means to convey the truth about what is happening here”.
“I once again reiterate and state my complete innocence and the innocence of my Armenian compatriots also being held as political prisoners and demand an immediate end to this politically motivated case against us”. |
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Luis Moreno Ocampo, founder Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, issued a statement on January 16 regarding the politically motivated and fabricated trial against former Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) state officials on January 17 in Baku.
“Azerbaijan bogus charges are a cover up of the crimes committed against the Nagorno-Karabakh people including the prisoners. Their incarceration is a message to 120.000 Armenians not to return to their ancestral land in Nagorno-Karabakh. All them were starved since April 2023, and bombed in September, instilling conditions to destroy the ethnic group as such and produce a serious mental harm, two material forms of committing a genocide”. |
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A protest demanding the immediate release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan took place outside the UN office in Yerevan on January 17.
The demonstration was timed to coincide with the start of the trial of 15 out of 23 hostages, including prominent financier and philanthropist, former State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan.
Ph.: 301 correspondent, David Ghahramanyan |
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3. Members of the House of Lords took free trips to Azerbaijan to support Ilham Aliyev
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A joint investigation by the Guardian and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed that Lord McNicol of West Kilbride (Mackenzie McNicol, Labour’s former general secretary) and Lord Mott (Darren James Mott, former chief executive of the Conservatives) took free trips to Azerbaijan paid by Tahir Gözel, a local businessman, to support the genocidal regime of the authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev.
In March 2022, Lord Evans (Jonathan Douglas Evans), presented a poem he had written himself in the House of Lords praising Azerbaijan’s victory over Armenia in the war in 2020. “He rhymed the territory at the heart of the longstanding conflict — Nagorno-Karabakh — with ‘thank God we got it back!'”. The Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR contracted Senate Publishing, the company Evans co-founded, to produce three glossy books about Azerbaijan between 2015 and 2019. He also visited Azerbaijan four times to observe elections in 2015, 2018 and 2020 and a referendum in 2016 on amendments to the constitution to give Aliyev more power. The trips were paid for by the Azerbaijani government, its parliament and its London embassy.
Lord Hussain (Qurban Hussain) traveled to the ethnically cleansed city of “Shusha” (Shushi, Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh) to praise the elections in 2024. “I felt the joy of people in Shusha”, he said.
Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Patricia Janet Scotland) visited Azerbaijan in May at the invitation of Tahir Gözel. She gave a lecture to young Azerbaijanis and urged them to “support their government”.
Read the complete story by the Guardian here: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/20/uk-peers-lords-free-trips-azerbaijan
The report by OCCRP: https://www.occrp.org/en/project/know-your-host/ahead-of-cop29-azerbaijan-cultivated-allies-in-the-uks-house-of-lords-who-praised-its-leadership |
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4. UK Parliamentarians raising the issues of Armenia and Artsakh
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5. News articles and recent developments
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan posted a video to social media wishing his fans a happy New Year and showcasing some of his achievements throughout 2024, including winning the Serie A with Inter Milan. In the caption, Mkhitaryan wrote a message hoping for the release of Armenian prisoners and hostages who have been illegally detained, jailed and tortured by Azerbaijan.
“I wish for a year of serenity and renewal for our homeland. I hope that this year we will see the release of all our Armenian prisoners illegally detained in our neighbour country’s prisons and their return home. I wish us solidarity and unity, hard work and creativity. May the souls of our national heroes protect our sacred lands”. |
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The Committee for the Defense of the Fundamental Rights of the People of Nagorno-Karabakh issued a statement on January 20 requesting Switzerland to mediate with Azerbaijan regarding the return of the Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
“The President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia are set to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24, with a bilateral meeting likely to take place. Additionally, a trilateral meeting involving Mr. Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, may also be on the agenda. Notably, these potential discussions coincide with the pending Motion No. 24.4259, ‘Peace Forum for Nagorno-Karabakh: Enabling the Return of Armenians,’ which has already been approved by the Swiss National Council and is now under review by the Council of States”, said the statement.
“The right of return is clearly an issue between the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Azerbaijani government. As a nation renowned for its neutrality and humanitarian commitment, Switzerland can fill the critical gap and make a difference by initiating a dialogue focused on the rights and needs of the displaced, as envisioned by the motion currently pending in the Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation”. |
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On January 19, thousands gathered in front of the Agos building in Istanbul to honor the memory of Hrant Dink, a courageous Armenian journalist and advocate for truth and reconciliation.
Eighteen years after his assassination, justice remains out of reach, with recent legal decisions highlighting ongoing challenges in holding those responsible accountable. |
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PACE has called on Azerbaijan to immediately release Artsakh’s Armenian leadership and other prisoners of war. Resolution No. 2580, adopted during its winter session, reaffirms PACE’s commitment to monitoring their situation and condemns Azerbaijan’s ongoing persecution of political opponents.
The Assembly is “seriously concerned about the further deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Azerbaijan, particularly the ongoing repression against political and civil activists, media representatives, and other critics of the government”. “The Assembly, referring to its Resolution 2517 (2023) and Recommendation 2260 (2023) on “The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh”, and the Resolution 2560 (2024) on “The honouring of obligations and commitments by Armenia”, continues to follow the situation with detained representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and all Armenian prisoners of war currently held in Azerbaijan, reiterating its call to Azerbaijan to release these people”. |
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Make your donation
Please give today to help our campaigns
To continue our ever growing work in advocacy we urgently need funds to have paid staff. All our efforts are done on voluntary basis. Please donate so we can carry on working for the Armenian Cause and raise the concerns of the British Armenian community.
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You can now donate monthly!
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Why Donate?
The Armenian National Committee of the United Kingdom (ANC-UK) is the largest and most influential British-Armenian political grassroots organisation.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Britain and affiliated organisations around the world, ANC-UK actively advances the concerns of the British-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
The work achieved by ANC-UK is currently on a volunteer basis. However, we are hopeful that in the coming years through the financial support of our community, the ANC-UK chapter will have the necessary funds to open a full-time office employing an Executive Director and a part-time Administrative Assistant.
Setting up an ANC-UK office will allow for our organisation’s goals to be achieved as they have been throughout the diaspora in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and Europe.
As a grassroots organisation, we rely upon you, our community and friends for financial assistance to advance our cause. Your donations support our goal of having a full-time office, to advocate on issues important to all British-Armenians and the Armenian cause.
Thank you for your consideration of our request for your support.
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