Newsletter No 19

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia visits Armenia

Dear Members of the Armenian community in the United Kingdom,

Thank you for your continued support of ANC UK in our efforts to influence and guide UK policy on the issue of Artsakh and recognition of the Armenian Genocide. A warm welcome to those of you who have recently signed up to our newsletter.

British Delegation’s visit to to Armenia

A cross party delegation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia visited Armenia between 31 March and 5 April 2022. The group consisted of Tim Loughton, Baroness Cox, Lord Bishop of Coventry Christopher Cocksworth, Jonathan Djanogly, Chris Law and Jessica Morden. Annette Moskofian joined the delegation as the Secretariat of the group, accompanied by Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan.

The British parliamentarians had meetings with the Prime Minister and President of Armenia, Catholicos Karekin II, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the members of the Armenia-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The British Ambassador John Gallagher hosted a reception for the delegation at his residence in Yerevan.

During their visit, the British MPs laid wreaths at Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, and visited the museum of the Armenian Genocide.

The Parliamentarians also visited Goris, Syunik region, and had a meeting with the Governor of Syunik and the Vice Mayor of Goris. They paid a visit to the frontline Armenian military post on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan met with the delegation and discussed the humanitarian crisis facing the population of Artsakh.
The Parliamentarians also met and had conversations with some displaced families from Artsakh. The meeting was very emotional as the families expressed that their only wish was to return back to their homes and villages, which are currently occupied by Azerbaijan. They wanted the world to recognise Artsakh and their right to self-determination.

The British delegation also visited UNICEF, Soft Construct and the Tumo Innovative Centre, where they were introduced to the IT potential of Armenia and its development prospects. Finally, guided tours were organised to Yeghegnadzor and the Tatev Monastery, Noravank as well as the Areni Caves.

The delegation experienced what Armenia has to offer and recievend first-hand knowledge regarding the security issues threatening Armenia; Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing policy in Artsakh and the destruction of cultural and religious sites in occupied territories. The importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the UK was acknowledged by each member of the delegation, together with the reasons for which Artsakh’s right to self-determination is matter of urgency for the survival of its population.

We hope that this trip develops stronger, fruitful ties between Armenia and the United Kingdom going forward.

Feryal Clark Labour MP and Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia made a strong speech on the Holocaust Memorial Day in the House of Commons, urging the UK government to recognise the Armenian Genocide.

You can watch her speech here: https://youtu.be/vPRdUnzbXHk

Latest statements regarding Azerbaijani aggression

A number of powerful statements, articles and letters condemning Azerbaijan’s latest military aggression and diplomatic pressure have been written recently, calling for urgent UK action. In particular:

Tim Loughton has issued a statement on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenian condemning the latest aggression by Azerbaijan against villages in the Martuni region of Artsakh.

Baroness Cox has written an article expressing her concerns about the recent military escalations in Artsakh. You can read the article here: https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/with-the-worlds-eyes-on-ukraine-azerbaijan-is-taking-full-advantage

Lord Alton has also expressed his concerns about Azerbaijan’s aggression, correctly noting that Azerbaijan is trying to make gains while the world is distracted: https://www.davidalton.net/2022/03/24/under-the-cover-of-putins-war-other-authoritarians-try-to-make-gains-while-the-world-is-distracted-u-k-expresses-concern-about-the-deteriorating-situation-in-nagorno-karabakh-and-calls-for/

Following the aggressions and attacks by Azerbaijan towards border villages in the Martuni, Artaskh, we wrote to Elizabeth Truss, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK. In our letter, we expressed our concerns regarding the Azerbaijani aggressions.

Our concerns were also echoed by the Chair and Officers of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia in a joint letter to the Foreign Secretary written in March 2022.

We continue to actively raise all issues concerning Armenia and Artsakh to relevant Ministers and in Parliament on a regular basis, providing regular briefings and analysis.

“Hidden Map of Armenia” Documentary Film Screening In Parliament

On 23 March, we had the privilege to welcome film producer Ani Hovannisian and Scottish explorer Steven Sim for a screening of the Hidden Map in the Parliament. Ani Hovannisian, the producer of the documentary, presented the film to the parliamentarians. The moving documentary received an emotional response, and the attendees had a chance to ask questions to Ani and Steven.

We thank Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan for his attendance and Tim Loughton MP for hosting the event. The documentary is about the Armenian Genocide, denialism and ethnic cleansing.

Important Upcoming Events

Please see below events organised in London to commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide:

What Can You Do To Help?

Please write to your MP and urge them to ask the government to recognise the Armenian Genocide:
https://ancuk.org.uk/take-action/write-to-your-mp/

Please give today to help our campaigns

ANC UK has so far worked in volunteering capacity, campaigning on behalf of the Armenian community, continuously pushing the UK government on the issues of Artsakh and the Armenian Genocide, helping remove pro-Azeri propaganda in London, and providing direct assistance to the officers and members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Armenia.

As we move into the next phase of our campaigning, we need our community’s help to ensure we can gain the support of more parliamentarians. This means supporting the campaign by contacting your MPs and donating to ANC UK to help us hire a much-needed permanent staff member.

With everything that we’ve all been through and all that lies ahead, we need your faith, your friendship, and financial generosity more than ever before

Donate Now

Our mailing address is:
7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.