FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Editor’s Note: On February 22, 2013, the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) launched “Azerbaijan: Thirty Days of Shame“, a campaign aimed at informing and educating Canadians about Azerbaijan’s flagrant and consistent abuses of human rights. On each day during the thirty days, the ANCC will post one article, video, or human rights report highlighting Azerbaijan’s continuing disrespect for human rights and its ruling regime’s efforts to gloss over its gross violations with slick propaganda, political bullying, and misinformation.
Montreal — While most of the people’s of Transcaucasia have grown weary of the conflicts that punctuated the end of Soviet rule in the region and are active participants in peaceful negotiations to resolve their differences, the Aliyev regime of Azerbaijan has instead taken active steps to raise regional tensions. While Azerbaijan ostensibly agrees to participate in peace talks regarding the final status of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, the Aliyev regime constantly beats the drums of war. Instead of using Azerbaijan’s natural wealth to improve the standard of living of its people, billions of dollars have been spent on Azerbaijan’s war machine. Similarly, the people of Azerbaijan are subject to a propaganda campaign to turn them against their neighbours and to convince them that war is the answer to their problems. The Aliyev regime continues to preach hatred and blaming outside enemies to distract the Azerbaijani people from the fact that it suppresses their basic human rights and diverts the resources of the nation to enrich the corrupt ruling class.
The desire for peace and stability is a hallmark of all democratic, free societies. The fact that the Aliyev regime instead acts as if it desires war says a great deal about its true nature.
Here is a summary of the articles, video, and human rights reports from Day 19 through Day 24:
Day 19: Associated Press – Azerbaijan sharply increases military spending
Day 20: Eurasianet – Azerbaijan Again Threatens Karabakh Flights
Day 21: The Economist – Blunder in Budapest
Day 22: Reuters – NATO chief accuses Azerbaijan of harming peace efforts
Day 23: The White House – White House Statement on the Release of Ramil Safarov
Day 24: The House of Commons – MP Albrecht Raises Concern About the Release of Ramil Safarov
Details of the Armenian National Committee of Canada’s “Azerbaijan: Thirty Days of Shame” campaign:
When: One posting every day at 10:00am EST starting on Friday, February 22, 2013 until Saturday, March 23, 2013.
Where: ANCC website “Azerbaijan: Thirty Days of Shame” campaign page
— http://www.ashodd4.sg-host.com/thirty-days-of-shame
ANCC Facebook page — www.facebook.com/ArmenianNationalCommitteeofCanada
ANCC Twitter page — www.twitter.com/ancc_cnac
For further information:
Mr. R. Robert Kouyoumdjian
Tel.: (514) 265-4602
Email: [email protected]
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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Armenian-Canadian grassroots human rights organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
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Le CNAC est l’organisation canado-arménienne des droits humains la plus large et influentielle. Collaborant avec une série de bureaux, chapitres et souteneurs à travers le Canada et des organisations affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC s’occupe activement des inquiétudes de la communauté canadienne-arménienne.
