- The population of Artsakh stood up for self-determination on 30 October 2022 in a massive rally on the Renaissance Square in Stepanakert
- Responses from MPs from the “Write to your MP” campaign
- Take Action: Write to your MP campaign
- Chris Law (SNP) MP’s EDM 380 in support of Armenia
- AGM of the Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia
- Notable developments in the UK and in the world
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The population of Artsakh stood up for self-determination on 30 October 2022 in a massive rally in Stepanakert
The people of Artsakh held a rally in Stepanakert’s main square on 30 October to voice their demand for self-determination and respect for human rights, as well as to reject the possibility of Artsakh becoming a part of Azerbaijan.
The National Assembly of Artsakh issued the following statement, adopted unanimously by all factions and expressing the will of the people of Artsakh: “Artsakh has never been and will never be part of independent Azerbaijan”. Artsakh’s National Assembly noted that this very idea should be the basis for the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict.
“Any attempt to forcibly annex Artsakh to Azerbaijan would be a gross violation of international law and an official license to commit another genocide against the Armenian people, therefore any document with such a content is unacceptable for the Republic of Artsakh,” said the National Assembly.
You can read the full text of the statement here: http:// https://en.armradio.am/2022/10/30/artsakh-has-never-been-and-will-never-be-part-of-independent-azerbaijan-parliament-adopts-statement/
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| Your activism works! Keep writing to your MP |
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Responses from your MPs from the “Write to your MP” campaign
We have received a number of responses from MPs since the launch of our “Write to your MP” campaign in relation to Azerbaijan’s most recent military invasion of the Republic of Armenia in September.
For example, Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford and Isleworth highlighted her concern in respect of being witness of “yet more aggression against Armenia with Azeri troops now occupying a further four square miles of Armenian territory”. Rupa Huq MP for Ealing Central and Acton re-iterated that she “continue[s] to stand in solidarity with the people of Armenia, as [she] has done so throughout the recent years of conflict”.
Many MPs highlighted that they wrote to the Foreign Secretary to raise with the UK Government the need for the UK to play a stronger role in de-escalating tensions and raising the issues of the treatment of Armenian POWs and civilians by Azerbaijan. Below are a few of responses which members of our community who wrote to their MPs have received so far: |
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Take Action: Write to your MP
As clear from the above feedback which we have received from MPs so far, the “Write to your MP” campaign is an effective way in which YOU can make a real difference in respect of (1) your MP’s awareness of the situation in Armenia, (2) UK foreign policy in respect of Armenia and Azerbaijan and (3) the future of our homeland, Armenia.
If you have not done so, please write to your MP to alert them of Azerbaijan’s recent military invasion of Armenia – we have drafted a template letter for you so that it is easier than ever to do so. The whole process should take no more than 30 seconds.
Please click on https://ancuk.org.uk/take-action/write-to-your-mp/ to write to your MP now! |
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Chris Law (SNP) MP’s EDM 380 in support of Armenia
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After raising the issue of unprovoked attacks by Azerbaijan on the sovereign territory of Armenia, Chris Law (SNP) MP has initiated an Early Day Motion (EDM) against Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenia (EDM 380, tabled on 21 September 2022). Chris Law MP is a great supporter of Armenians and was one of the delegates during the visit to Armenia in April 2022.
In his speech, he raised the verified videos by Human Rights Watch which demonstrate Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenia and barbaric treatment of Armenian civilians by Azerbaijan. He also mentioned the support which Azerbaijan is receiving from NATO member Turkey and called for the UK Government to condemn Azerbaijan’s attacks on Armenia.
In his EDM, Chris Law MP asks the UK Government for an urgent statement condemning the unjustified actions by Azerbaijan in respect of Armenia and demanding an immediate end to any aggression.
You can watch his full speech in the House of Commons here: https://twitter.com/chrislawsnp/status/1572944563383275520?s=46&t=UKQXFkS3V8inzdVQq_SSuA
EDM 380: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/60091/azerbaijan-attacks-on-armenian-territory
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| Please write to your MP and urge them to sign the EDM 380 |
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AGM of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia held an annual general meeting on 18 October 2022 and elected the following officers:
Tim Loughton MP as Chairman, Baroness Cox, Andrew Rosindell MP, Feryal Clark MP, John Spellar MP, Chris Law MP, Judith Cummins as Vice Chairs and Sir John Whittingdale MP as Secretary. In addition, Annette Moskofian will continue her role as Group Secretariat. We thank the APPG for Armenia for their constant support and look forward to many more years of fruitful cooperation to come.
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Other notable developments in the UK and in the world
There have been a number of other developments in the UK and in the world since our last newsletter. In particular:
- The Shadow Secretary of Defence, John Healy, asked the Secretary of State for Defence about UK’s involvement in Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions since 1 January 2022.
- In response, the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, noted that the UK will “continue to work with both parties in the coming months to support efforts to secure regional stability and security”
- Questions have been raised by Lord Bishop of Coventry a member of the ALL Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia, to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on October 10th:
- Among some of the questions raised, Lord Bishop of Coventry asked His Majesty’s Government regarding the following matters:
- What conversations the Government has held, if any, with the government of Russia in relation to the prospects of peace and security in the South Caucasus;
- What assessment the Government has made of the impact that arms sales from Turkey to Azerbaijan are having on stability in the South Caucasus; and
- What assessment the Government has made of the clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan which began on 12 September; and what representations have been made to the governments of those countries in relation to (1) the exercise of restraint, and (2) the observation of agreements in which the 2020 war ended
- Shadow Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty, raised a question regarding peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- On 10 October 2022, the Shadow Minister for Europe asked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office what steps the Minister of State is taking with International counterparts to help ensure peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- MPs and Peers have raised questions regarding Azerbaijan’s aggression towards Armenia
- Baroness Cox asked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office what the Government’s response is to Azerbaijan’s failure to release Armenian POWs under the 2020 Artsakh ceasefire agreement
- Andrew Rosindell MP asked the Secretary of State what discussions are being held with NATO allies on Azerbaijan’s military advances in Armenia
- Head of UK Delegation to PACE, John Howell, asked the Secretary of State what assessment has been made of the policies regarding military hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia
- Human Rights Watch condemns the execution of Armenian POWs by Azerbaijan
- PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of war crimes and inhuman treatment
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| We thank everyone for their continued support and urge the UK Government to condemn and sanction Azerbaijan for its gross violations of international law and peace. |
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Please give today to help our campaigns
To continue our ever growing work in lobbying 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 concerns of the British Armenian community.
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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.
By setting up an ANC-UK office, it will allow for our organisations 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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