Armenian National Committee of the UK 
Newsletter
Dear members of the Armenian community in the UK,
Thank you for your continued support of ANC UK in our efforts to influence and guide UK policy on the issue of Artsakh. Welcome to those of you who have recently signed up to our newsletter.   
Our Position
Following the ceasefire agreement on 9 November, ANCUK closely reviewed the ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and published our current position on the ANC UK social media pages. To reiterate, ANC UK:
  1. Condemn the unjust ceasefire terms and land grab of Armenian territories under the trilateral declaration of November 9
  2. Call on the OSCE Minsk Group to re-engage with the peace process
  3. Call on the UK to support the OSCE Minsk Group as it re-engages with the peace process
1. ANCUK is concerned by the unjust ceasefire terms forced on the people of Artsakh, it  will lead to the ethnic cleansing of Armenian history, its people and culture:  
  • The deal has caused a mass exodus of Armenians from their homes, creating a new refugee crisis 
  • Azerbaijan will seize many Armenian historical sites in Artsakh which will lead to their erasure and destruction, as seen in Nakhichevan  
  • The deal is a danger to Armenia’s sovereign territory and poses a national security threat for potential future land grabs by Turkey and Azerbaijan.   
2. ANC UK calls on the OSCE Minsk group to re-engage with the Artsakh peace process by: 
  • Holding Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for their use of Jihadist mercenaries and war crimes
  • Protecting the security of Armenia and Artsakh, which remain under the real threat of renewed Azerbaijani and Turkish aggression
  • Clarifying a final status for Artsakh
  • Recognising Artsakh as an independent republic
3. ANC UK calls on the UK to support the OSCE Minsk Group as it re-engages with the peace process.   
Our Actions
Over the last few weeks, we have continued to campaign on issues.
  • Held an event with Baroness Cox and Rev. David Thomas on Saturday 21 November 2020, which was attended by over 250 people and has since been viewed 14,000 times. The recording of the event can be viewed on the ANC UK Facebook page
  • Following Baroness Cox’ visit to Artsakh, she published a short film about the conflict, alongside a report of her experience through the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust
    Tim Loughton FSA MP, Chair of the APPG on Armenia was     interviewed by Cara Bentley for Premier Christian Radio (alongside Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Hratch Tchillingarian, Briony Krikorian, and Knarik Saribekian) on the threat of Azerbaijani aggression and the danger it poses to Armenian Christians
    We have continued our communication with Unicef UK the charity asking organise immediate life-sustaining aid and support children and families in Artsakh in order to avert a humanitarian disaster
  • We supported Russell Pollard in his campaign which resulted in Derby City Council becoming the first UK city and local authority to recognise the independence of Artsakh
  • ANC UK hosted a meeting with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to set out the involvement of Turkey, a member of NATO  
  • A letter was sent out to the HALO Trust, calling on them to increase their de-mining efforts in Artsakh by launching an international appeal and to raise awareness of the issue through media outlets and their social media platforms
Next Steps
1. Over the next couple of weeks ANC UK will focus its attention on our campaign to urge the UK government to put pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop the kidnappings of Armenians and release the large number of Armenian captives.
2. Other key messages this week will be around renegotiating the terms of the agreement to ensure the Armenian population’s security, preserve our heritage, highlight the war crimes and continue pushing for Artsakh’s recognition.
3. In addition, we will be sending out letters to Amnesty International, and other humanitarian and environmental organisations to continue raising awareness about the issues in Artsakh and encourage them to take a stance.   
Next Steps
1. Over the next couple of weeks ANC UK will focus its attention on our campaign to urge the UK government to put pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop the kidnappings of Armenians and release the large number of Armenian captives.
2. Other key messages this week will be around renegotiating the terms of the agreement to ensure the Armenian population’s security, preserve our heritage, highlight the war crimes and continue pushing for Artsakh’s recognition.
 
3. In addition, we will be sending out letters to Amnesty International, and other humanitarian and environmental organisations to continue raising awareness about the issues in Artsakh and encourage them to take a stance.   
How you can help:
  • Participate in our campaign by write to your MP raise awareness about what is happening to POWs. ANC has templates on our website.  
  • Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more updates throughout the week, share with your followers and encourage your non-Armenian friends to do the same.
Armenian National Committee (ANC) UK
7 Bell Yard London WC2A 2JR
tel: +44(0)7914646712
https://ancuk.org.uk/