The ARF delegation
NEW YORK (Armenian Weekly)—An Armenian Revolutionary Federation delegation at the Socialist International Council conference, held on July 11 and 12 at the United Nations, effectively challenged an aggressive Azerbaijani bid to misrepresent Artsakh and Armenia at the global gathering.
The Azerbaijani attack at the conference was undertaken by the Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (SDPA), a President Ilham Aliyev regime ally represented by Araz Alizadeh. The ARF’s response was spearheaded by Bureau member and Chairman of the Armenian National Committee–International Council Hagop Der Khatchadourian.
Members of the ARF delegation with H. E. Mr. Zohrab Mnaksakanian, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN
The ARF, a full member of SI, participated in the SI Council meeting with a delegation that also included Vahakn Karakashian (Canada), Sandra Vartanian (USA), Maral Choloyan (USA), Sevag Belian (Canada), Hagop Agopian (Canada), and Nare Kupelian (USA). ARF member Mario Nalpatian is a Vice President of SI and ARF Bureau member Armen Rustamyan is an SI regional committee chairperson.
In his welcoming remarks, the Secretary General of the UN Antonio Guterres discussed the issue of displaced people due to armed conflicts, global terrorism, the crisis regarding climate change, and the challenges facing the youth. He stressed that it is imperative to work to find practical solutions to prevent armed conflicts taking place around the world.
SI president George Papandreou and Secretary General Luis Ayala presented the three main themes of the meeting: strengthening multilateralism for peace; reaffirming social democratic values and policies for the change needed; and defending democracy in places where it is denied or threatened. During his remarks, Ayala also discussed the domestic political situation in Turkey, including the recent crackdown and arrests by authorities following last year’s failed coup.
Umut Oran, representing Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), said that, to date, Turkish authorities have arrested 50,000 citizens, 164 journalists, 200 members of news agencies, and 12 parliamentarians. He added that human rights, freedom of speech, and democracy are lacking in Turkey. Oran concluded by thanking members of the SI for their support and solidarity.
Head of the ARF delegation Hagop Der Khachadourian addressing the council meeting
During the meeting, Araz Alizadeh, a representative of the Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, stated that the Armenians of Karabakh (Artsakh) took 20 percent of Azerbaijani land with the help of Russia. He also accused the current and former Presidents of the Republic of Armenia as members of the Karabakh “mafiaâ€
