| Your support is crucial! The Armenian National Committee of UK works tirelessly to advocate for the Armenian Cause and protect our community’s rights. We need your donations to continue this vital work. Every contribution makes a difference. Please donate today and help us keep our voice strong. |
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1. ANC-UK Gala Dinner honouring Baroness Cox
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| Join us for a special evening honouring the extraordinary lifetime service of Baroness Cox to Artsakh and the Armenian Cause.
📅 Tuesday 12 May
🕖 7–11 pm
📍 The Dilly Hotel – Georgian & Adams Suite
21 Piccadilly, London W1J 0BH
🎩 Black Tie
Minimum donation: £175
Table of 10: £1750
To book:
📞 07914646712
📧 info@ancuk.org.uk |
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| Enjoy a carefully curated programme throughout the night, featuring:
🎤 Kev Orkian – Master of Ceremonies (@realkevorkian)
💃 Akhtamar Armenian Dance Group (@akhtamar_apg)
🎧 Music by DJ Bandy Stepan (@djbandyuk) |
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2. Artsakh Union publishes the report submitted to the UK Parliamentary Inquiry
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| Artsakh Union has published the report it submitted on February to the UK Parliamentary Inquiry “Erasing the Past: The Destruction of Cultural Heritage”. The report documents Azerbaijan’s systematic destruction and appropriation of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh.
At the inquiry’s inaugural session on 23 February, Artsakh Union President Artak Beglaryan presented evidence to British parliamentarians and international legal experts on the destruction of Armenian churches, cemeteries, monuments, and museum collections, as well as the forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population and the continued detention of Armenian captives.
Artak Beglaryan emphasized the need for international monitoring and preventive mechanisms. In accordance with the orders of the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ), these mechanisms would help protect the heritage and property of the people of Artsakh currently under Azerbaijani occupation. Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of realising the right of return for the people of Artsakh and called for international support, stressing its crucial role in ensuring a just, dignified, and lasting peace.
The report, titled “Systematic Destruction and Appropriation of Armenian Cultural Heritage in Artsakh by Azerbaijan (2020–2026)”, explains that these actions form part of a deliberate policy aimed at erasing the Armenian historical presence in Artsakh and preventing the indigenous population from returning.
Read the complete report here: https://artsakhunion.org/api/FileBase/download/false/REPORT%20-%20SYSTEMATIC%20DESTRUCTION%20AND%20APPROPRIATION%20OF%20ARMENIAN%20CULTURAL%20HERITAGE%20IN%20ARTSAKH%20BY%20AZERBAIJAN%20(2020%E2%80%932026)20260316091027.pdf |
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3. Armenian Genocide commemoration events
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| Schedule of events for the commemoration of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the UK. |
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4. US reports torture of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan
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| A 2026 report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) documents the torture and abuse of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan including beatings, psychological abuse, denial of medical care and food, confiscation of Bibles, and the burning of cross tattoos, alongside the ongoing destruction of Armenian Christian heritage in occupied Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
“The nearly two dozen Armenian Christian prisoners from Nagorno-Karabakh, who were tried behind closed doors without adequate legal counsel, have received beatings, psychological abuse, lack of access to medical care and proper food, denials of Bibles, and the erasure of cross tattoos through burning. Police are not held accountable for these actions”.
“Historic Armenian religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories remain at risk following Azerbaijan’s retaking of the territories in 2020 and 2023. As of July, satellite imagery identified eight destroyed and another 10 damaged religious sites, including churches, cemeteries, and other artifacts. Additionally, family members have reported that Armenian prisoners are prevented from receiving religious items, such as the Bible; however, the Azerbaijani government has claimed prisoners have access to religious materials”.
The commission has recommended that Azerbaijan be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” for severe violations of religious freedom.
The complete report here: https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/USCIRF_2026_AR%20(2).pdf |
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5. UK Parliamentarians raising the issues of Armenia and Artsakh
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6. News articles and recent developments
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| At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, international lawyer Karnig Kerkonian, speaking on behalf of Christian Solidarity International, raised the situation of the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on March 16.
“Azerbaijan forcibly displaced 150,000 indigenous Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and continues to block their safe return, in violation of the ICJ order of 17 November 2023,” Kerkonian told the Council.
He also warned that Azerbaijan is continuing the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage while 20 Armenians from Artsakh remain arbitrarily detained, subjected to torture and sham trials without access to lawyers or evidence.
“The people of Nagorno-Karabakh seek the most fundamental of human rights: the right to return to their indigenous homeland,” he said. |
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| A formal complaint has been filed in Switzerland against SOCAR Trading SA, accusing the company of contributing to Azerbaijan’s campaign against the Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
Submitted on 18 March 2026 under OECD Guidelines, the complaint argues that SOCAR Trading—through its financial activities—helped support a state responsible for the forced displacement of around 150,000 Armenians. “Companies that financially support the state responsible cannot ignore their obligations under international standards,” said international lawyer Karnig Kerkonian.
The case was presented during a press conference at the Geneva Press Club, held alongside the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council and organised by Christian Solidarity International, l’Association Suisse Arménie, the Armenian Legal Defense Front, and the Committee for the Defense of the Fundamental Rights of the People of Nagorno Karabakh. Speakers including Karnig Kerkonian, Sarkis Shahinian, and Joel Veldkamp highlighted the urgency of accountability and stressed the importance of Switzerland’s mandate to facilitate the return of displaced Armenians, while announcing efforts to hold SOCAR accountable.
The complaint adds legal and economic pressure to growing international scrutiny over Azerbaijan’s actions in Artsakh. |
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7. Homenetmen London Scouts Day
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On 29 March, ANC-UK Chairperson Annette Moskofian was invited to attend Homenetmen London Scouts Day, dedicated to Armenian literature. The event opened with a flag march, during which the scouts carried the flags of Armenia and Artsakh, followed by an oath ceremony. They vowed loyalty to God and the Armenian Nation, with an emphasis on high moral values, national identity, and the spirit of mutual support and fellowship.
The scouts also performed acts and recited poems from the works of Hovhannes Tumanyan, Paruyr Sevak and others. The afternoon was marked by strong sentiments of patriotism and celebration.
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8. We urge our community living in Ealing Common to vote for Maxim Bagdasarian for on May 7, 2026
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Due to ANC-UK efforts, Maxim Bagdasarian has been selected by Ealing Labour as its candidate for Ealing Common ward in the 2026 Ealing Council elections 2026 on 7 May 2026.
This is an important occurance for our Armenian community in Ealing.
Please read about Maxim in his own words on why he is running and why we should vote for him.
“I am running to be a councillor for Ealing Common to give our Armenian community a stronger voice. My priority is to spotlight our community, help us run more events with council support, and make sure we are recognised and supported by the council — especially the many community organisations which are based in Ealing.”
“Like many other Armenians, I have called Ealing home my whole life. I’ve lived in Ealing Common since I was 4 years old, so this area means a lot to me. I want to represent our community and give back to the place where I grew up.”
“I also want to make the council’s decisions more transparent and ensure our streets are cleaner and safer for everyone.”
Local elections are often decided by very small margins. At the last election, only 46% of residents voted. That means your vote can make the difference.
Maxim’s message to residents is direct:
“If you live in the Ealing Common ward, please make sure you vote on May 7th. You can vote by post too if that is more convenient. Local elections are usually very close. This means your vote can really make the difference.”
If you cannot vote in person, you can apply for postal or proxy voting through Ealing Council:
https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201065/elections/871/postal_and_proxy_voting
If you live in Ealing Common ward, ensure you are registered and ready to vote on Thursday 7 May 2026.
We have to make sure every Armenian living in Ealing Common votes for Maxim. He needs the community’s full support.
Please see the map below that covers the Ealing Common Ward:
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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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