Honoring Yura Movsisyan, Moe Movsisyan, and Al Nazarian for their support of Unified Young Armenians (UYA)

“Unified Young Armenians” (UYA) Offers Condolences to the Podolsk Crash Victims and Families

The UYA Family's thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families following the tragic accident which occurred on July 13, 2013. The lives of many families have been affected as a result of the heartbreaking incident which occurred in City of Podolsk of Russian Federation. We cannot help but to recall the many lives lost and dreams shattered. Thus, we extend our genuine sympathies to the relatives and friends of those who perished.

We hope that through a just, thorough, and humane investigation and trial, the facts of this case will be determined and the individuals or entities at fault will be held to answer for their deeds. However, an inhumane trial will not only go against the ideals of justice, but it will also be a direct insult to the memories of the victims lost. It is important to note that the authorities have unfortunately failed to create the necessary conditions for the fair trial of Hrachya Harutyunyan by pandering to forces of xenophobia and racism. In these emotional times, we should not let this dark moment to tarnish the old kinship among the two people.

We highly value and praise the public commitment made by the Armenian community of Russian Federation, specifically that of Mr. Ara Abarahamyan, to assist the families of the victims.

As a tribute to the lives lost and to mark the 7th day of this tragic incident, our Organization's website will go dark on July 20th.

May we all pray for their souls to rest in peace and find comfort.

Unified Young Armenians (UYA)

The Hrachya Harutyunyan Affair: The Straw that Broke the Camel’s [or in this case the Bear’s] back?

Recently, the Russian Federation, a “traditional ally” of Armenia in the face of threats from Turkey and Azerbaijan, took specific and concrete steps which gave rise to a vast number of Armenians both in Armenia and the Diaspora to ask whether the relationship between the “allies” should be revisited and reevaluated.

In the month of June, Russia completed a big arms delivery worth about $1 billion to Azerbaijan, a regime of de facto hereditary dictatorship and a human rights violator. At the same time, Azerbaijan is also Republic of Armenia’s and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s arch-enemy who threatens the aforementioned dual Armenian homelands with war and destruction almost on a daily basis. According to Reuters, this Russian arms package included “nearly 100 T-90C tanks, Smerch and TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers and Msta-A and Vena artillery cannons.” For reference, the T-90C tanks are currently the most modern tanks available to the Russian Armed Forces and the remainder of the package is yet another addition to Azerbaijan’s arsenal which can be used to unleash a second campaign of death and destruction against the populations of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh.

In yet another blow to the often bragged-about traditionally “friendly” Armenian-Russian relationship, ArmRusGazProm, a joint venture between the Ministry of Energy of Armenia and the Russian companies Gazprom and Itera, announced that it will increase the price of natural gas for the Armenian consumers. To be exact, according to ARKA News Agency, “on June 7, the Armenia’s public services regulatory commission increased the gas price for customers consuming up to 10,000 cubic meters from 132,000 drams (including VAT) to 156,000 drams (including VAT) per 1,000 cubic meters as from July 7.” As the Armenian Prime Minister admitted in a recent interview, such an increase in gas prices will have major implications for Armenia. However, shortly thereafter, the Armenian Government and the Russian side launched negotiations to increase the latter’s ownership stake in ArmRusGazProm from 80% to 100% in exchange for lowering the gas price for the consumers. This move, was labeled by many as yet another bullying tactic employed by the Russian Government, especially considering the fact that the price hike followed an earlier Gazprom announcement that the gas prices for the European consumers will fall by 10%. In other words, sooner than later, Armenian consumers can be paying more for natural gas than the residents of Western European countries.

Surprisingly, while the abovementioned incidents have had major geo-political implications for Armenia and Russia, the plight of Hrachya Harutyunyan, a poverty-stricken Armenian migrant worker has reignited the calls for revisiting the Armenian-Russian relations. In a tragic accident which happened on July 13, 2013, Hrachya Harutyunyan, a truck-driver whose truck swerved into a bus in the Podolsk Village of Russia, killing 18 and wounding 60, became central to the Armenia-Russia relationship. In court, Hrachya was accused of violating traffic rules and causing the deaths of two or more people.

While the responsible party should be held accountable for this tragic incident, it was Hrachya Harutyuny’s outrageous treatment by the Russian authorities which caused the uproar within the Armenian public. Hrachya Harutyunyan, a middle-aged man, was brought to the court dressed in a woman’s colorful bathrobe. If Mr. Harutyunyan, per his own cognizance walked into the court wearing a similar outfit, he would have certainly been reprimanded and punished for such an outlandish behavior. The images of a humiliated and disgraced citizen of Armenia went viral on the World Wide Web and generated calls of protest and retaliation, as well as demands for explanations from the Russian authorities. Even more significant, Hrachya’s treatment by the Russian authorities caused the Armenian public to protest at the Russian Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, a truly rare incident by any measure.

While it is given that a guilty party must be held accountable for his or her actions in a fair trial, it is universally known and accepted that even those who are accused of the most heinous crimes have certain rights. While remaining innocent until proven guilty is the bedrock of most systems of justice, the protection of one’s dignity is yet another important right which ought to be enjoyed by the accused.

The Russian authorities responsible for this type of outrageous treatment of Hrachya Harutyunyan, a citizen of their only remaining “ally” in the South Caucasus must be held accountable by the Russia’s leadership. While Russian authorities may be pandering to the Russia’s ultra-nationalist elements by treating Hrachya Harutyunyan in such disgraceful manner, both for the short term and in a long run, they are planting potent seeds of anti-Russian sentiments among the Armenians of Republic of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and the Diaspora.

It is noteworthy that the outpour of outrage against Hrachya’s treatment by the Russian authorities was not only unified and across the board as to the pundits and politicians of various background, but the uproar was led by the young generation of Armenians. Thus, for many years to come, the anti-Russian sentiments will not only remain intact, but will also exacerbate unless the Russian Government, at its highest levels, takes concrete steps to rectify the damage.

First and foremost, Russia must supply Armenia with superior defensive and offensive weapons so to curb Azerbaijan’s hunger for war and destruction in the region and to reassure Armenia of Russia’s allegiance. Second, Russia must reevaluate its energy policy vis-à-vis Armenia as its current policy not only hurts its ally financially, but it can and eventually should lead to Armenia reevaluating its future relations with Russia.

Lastly, every human being, regardless of its race, age, or sex must be granted the human rights afforded to him by laws of the land or nature. Hrachya’s outrageous and publicized treatment by the Russian authorities was a reminder of Russia’s poor human rights record and rampant corruption which Russia’s leadership have fought against for many years. By publicly and officially holding the responsible individuals to answer for their shameful behavior against Hrachya, the Russian authorities can at least rectify some of the damage which has been caused.

No one has a right to disgrace a citizen of Armenia. And unless the Russian authorities discipline the rogue elements within their justice system responsible for outrageous treatment of Hrachya Harutyunyan, this latest incident can be the straw that breaks the camel’s [or in this case the bear’s] back.

Aroutin Hartounian
President
Unified Young Armenians (UYA)

Armenian Defense Minister’s helicopter reportedly comes under Azeri fire

Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan arrived in the military unit in Noyemberyan at about 11 a.m. this morning.

The Azerbaijani air forces opened fire at the Defense Minister's helicopter, aravot.am reports, citing eyewitness accounts.

Minister Ohanyan spent about two hours in the military unit, where a soldier was killed last week. He returned to Yerevan on the same helicopter, the paper informs.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan neither confirmed, nor refuted the information about the shooting. He said only there were no traces of bullets helicopter.

Unified Young Armenians (UYA): An Independent Armenian Movement

Unified Young Armenians (UYA): An Independent Armenian Movement

Al-Monitor: Turkey’s 2015 plan is to avoid word ‘Genocide’ at all costs

The groups that call the 1915 events in Turkey "genocide" filled Istanbul Taksim Square on April 24, along with Armenians who came from abroad to remember millions of Armenians who lost their lives and suffered untold agony on this land. Only five or six years ago, it was unthinkable that such an observance could be held in Turkey. These developments encourage optimism, but even as democratic and forward-looking Turkish faces were displayed in Istanbul, we also noticed that the Turkish Foreign Ministry was still repeating the clichés of the last 98 years that we all know so well, Al-Monitor writes.

The Foreign Ministry criticized the April 24 statement of US President Barack Obama with a tone bordering on condemnation: "We find this statement that ignores historic realities troubling in all its aspects, and regret it." What led to this critical tone was Obama's saying that the Armenians were mercilessly massacred and forced on a death march in the last days of the Ottoman Empire.

On one hand, Turkey has erased a yearslong taboo and is now debating 1915 freely as never before. In addition to the April 24 observances, people are openly expressing their views by referring to 1915 as "genocide" in print and visual media.

But on the other hand, looking at the official reactions of the Turkish government, you can't find the slightest change. Why? Why is Turkey trying to keep the world from debating an issue that is freely discussed in Turkey itself? Why was Obama's statement received with such a stiff reaction, even though there was no mention of genocide? Why is Turkey, while taking serious steps to solve major questions such as the Kurdish issue, still repeating its century-old clichés on the Armenian issue?

All these appear to be part of Turkey's strategy for 2015. While Armenia and the Armenian diaspora promote 2015 as a milestone for global recognition of genocide, the Turkish state, mobilized by defensive instincts, continues denying everything, just as it has been doing all these years.

Keeping all this in mind and rereading Turkey's reaction to Obama's message, it could be understood that Turkey's message was not for today, but rather forward looking. It appears that Turkey, by reacting strongly today, was trying to ensure that the US president will not mention genocide in 2015, accoridng to Al-Monitor.

Why is Turkey so worried by the use of this word? Because Ankara thinks that there could be legal ramifications of the US and European countries recognizing genocide.

"The Turkish government, fearing future sanctions, is continuing with the policy of denial, and this will not change before 2015. Whether Turkey will develop humane and rational policies once the fear of 2015 is past remains to be seen."

Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act introduced in US Congress

As Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Erdogan continues his official U.S. state visit, a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives introduced the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act, a new measure calling upon the President to build upon the U.S. record of having recognized the Armenian Genocide by working toward improved Armenian-Turkish relations based upon Turkey's full acknowledgement of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

"We welcome today's introduction of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "This innovative bipartisan initiative, building upon the U.S. record of having recognized the Armenian Genocide, calls for a new U.S. approach to Armenian-Turkish ties that reflects our America values and recognizes that our national interests require an end to Turkey's denials and a truthful, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime."

The Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act, introduced by Representatives Michael Grimm (R-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), reflects and reinforces previous U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide as a crime of genocide, citing the U.S. Government's May 28, 1951 written statement to the International Court of Justice regarding the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, President Ronald Reagan's April 22, 1981 Proclamation and Congressional adoption of Armenian Genocide legislation in 1975 and 1984.

"Almost a century ago, over a million Armenian men, women, and innocent children were mercilessly put to death by forces of the Ottoman Empire in a horrifying attempt to wipe them from the face of the earth," said Rep. Grimm. "The U.S. has tirelessly defended justice and human rights throughout the world, and we have a solemn duty to recognize, once and for all, the injustices of the Armenian Genocide. On behalf of the Armenian community in New York City, I am proud to join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in introducing Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act."

"The facts of history are well-settled – 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were deliberately murdered in the first genocide of the 20th Century," Rep. Schiff said. "With each passing day, we lose a few more of the dwindling number of survivors. We should all feel a powerful sense of urgency, and the profound call of moral duty to recognize the Armenian Genocide unequivocally and without delay."

Congressman Valadao stated, "Many of those able to flee during the genocide immigrated to the United States and settled in California. Today, their families continue to grow, thrive, and instill their cultural heritage in their adopted communities. However, the sense of loss as a result of these horrific acts runs deep as many Armenian-Americans in my district personally know a friend or family member who was unable to escape the genocide. We must ensure that the United States government properly acknowledges what so many already know to be true."

"The time for the U.S. to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide is long overdue," said Congressman Frank Pallone, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. "Armenia stands as a resilient ally of the United States and a nation dedicated to democracy and regional stability, and the Resolution introduced today shows that we will not stand idly by when the truth of this genocide is distorted by the Turkish government."

Unified Young Armenians' (UYA) Official Condolences on the Tragic Passing of Allen Yekikian

On behalf of Unified Young Armenians (UYA), we send our sincere and heartfelt condolences on the tragic death of Allen Yekikian, a young and visionary activist for the Armenian Cause. No doubt, this is not only a loss for the Yekikian family, but also one for the entire Armenian Nation. His legacy and his work will continue. He will not be forgotten.

May 9: 21st Anniversary of Shushi's Liberation

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Aroutin Hartounian: A Response to El Vaquero's Letter to Editor Titled "Armenians Have Achieved Some, Not All, Goals"

My name is Aroutin Hartounian, and I am the president of the Unified Young Armenians (UYA), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit youth organization based in City of Glendale which for over a decade has tirelessly worked for the promotion of human rights, including but not limited to bringing forth the issue of the Armenian Genocide and demanding justice for this most heinous crime against the mankind.

Many within the community are aware of my background, my work, and my involvement in a number of organizations including the Rotary, the Glendale Police Department's Community Police Partnership Advisory Committee (C-PPAC), and others. Many are also aware that as the president of the Unified Young Armenians, I am responsible for organizing a number of Armenian Genocide commemoration events in Southern California.

As an alumni of Glendale Community College, I was disheartened to see the "letter to editor" published in El Vaquero titled "Armenians Have Achieved Some, Not All, Goals." The ideas put forth in the letter concerning the Armenian Genocide and the quest for historical justice was at a minimum ludicrous. At worst, the article was racist and filled with hatred vis-à-vis the Armenian community. It was an uneducated, unprofessional, and futile attempt at altering history. The ideas presented in that article were in line with the denialist and hatemongering propaganda of the governments of Turkey and Azerbaijan, their paid lobbyists, and their allies.

Secondly and more importantly, the letter published both in the electronic and paper copy of the El Vaquero was attributed to "Aroutin Hartounian," which matched both my first and my last names. It is noteworthy that in the recent past, there have been numerous amateurish yet concentrated efforts made in an effort to discredit me, my work of over a decade, and my beliefs which have been very clearly put forth in a number of forums, including during the various events, in a number of articles, and as apparent from the official position of Unified Young Armenians. This fake "letter to editor" is a continuation of the futile attempts to discredit me. For the sake of clarity, while the name of the individual alleged to have written that article matches both my first name and last name, I have NOT written this article and I do NOT agree with any part of that article.

It is professional and good faith practice for any newspaper to first verify the identity of the individuals sending in the "letter to editor" by contacting him or her via phone, asking his or her address, etc., before publishing a piece. While El Vaquero does not have any such verification procedure in place, this unfortunate episode will perhaps serve as a learning experience for the paper and it will hopefully revise its policy as it pertains to the publishing of such letters.

Returning to the article itself, if such an individual with the exact first and last name in fact does exist, and he holds such outlandish and racist ideas and beliefs, this surely would be a whole different topic to consider. In that case, we should categorize that letter as a futile attempt at a short lived publicity and fame. However, to combat such moral decay, as a society we would need to bring potent anti-racism programs back to our schools. That, of course will be the best case scenario.

In a second scenario, unless there is another individual with the same first and last name who the El Vaquero can successfully verify to have written this racist piece, this is nothing but a pure crime of identity theft. Surely, using the modern law enforcement tools, using the IP address logged in the email which the "letter to editor" was sent, the criminal will be found and will be brought to justice.

However, it is noteworthy that this is NOT a first. This latest act of desperation comes only days after attempts to create fake profiles on facebook and other social media networks bearing my information. This attempt also bears the same modus operandi of a number of entities which we have closely monitored in the last years. In one such episode, hackers from Azerbaijan hacked my personal accounts and attempted to publicize my personal and private information.

On a more positive note, I want to thank the City of Glendale, the Glendale Community College, and the communities living the Southern California who have been supportive of Unified Young Armenians and the mission which it has pursued. Because of the amazing work of the justice seeking individuals around the world, the Armenian Genocide has received wider recognition by governments, scholars, and institutions. Today, more than ever, the world is condemning the Turkish Government for committing the most heinous crime of Genocide against the Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians. Furthermore, unlike the author of the fake "letter to editor" titled "Armenians Have Achieved Some, Not All, Goals," today the world properly condemns the Turkish Government for the crimes of those leading it during the Armenian Genocide, from 1896 to 1923. A heinous crime was committed. As there are no statutes of limitation for the crime of murder when one person is killed, how can any entity have the audacity to say that the murder of more than 1,500,000 people should be treated less severely? There was a crime, and therefore there must be a punishment. The Turkish Government must be brave enough to accept its past and pay just reparations to the Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians. The modern Turkish Government has been unjustly enriched by illegally taking over the belongings of the Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians. Under any fair legal system, the victims of unjust enrichment must be placed in the same position as they were before they were subjected to that crime.

It is especially significant that while the governments of Turkey and Azerbaijan, and their allies, are spending millions of dollars on lobbyists in United States to alter history, brave and righteous Turkish scholars, activists and authors are supporting the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and are calling for the payment of just reparations, a position which is shared by me and my friends and colleagues at Unified Young Armenians.

Lastly, we are confident that it is the firm and widespread support of Unified Young Armenians by the public, elected officials, academics, and organizations that creates the sense of jealousy and desperation which leads to such childish attempts. Such attempts can only strengthen our resolve. We pledge to continue our work with ever greater dedication, vigor, and commitment.

Regards,

Aroutin Hartounian
President
Unified Young Armenians (UYA)

A Big "Thank You" on Behalf of Unified Young Armenians (UYA)

As the president of the Unified Young Armenians (UYA) and on behalf of Organization's leadership, I would like to thank each and every single one of our supporters, donors, and members who made the Sunday's telethon a success. Without them and their continued support of the UYA's mission over the last twelve years, we would not be where we are today.

Those who donated on Sunday (as well as in the last telethon) have once again demonstrated their appreciation of the Movement's value and their dedication to the Cause. They have given us the resources to continue fighting for human rights and historical justice. We are humbled by their trust and support.

We are also thankful to our guests and supporters, be it those who live in the US or those living in Armenia. We thank the Telethon's production team, Taguhi Tracy Oganyan, Arshak Baregam, Vartan Untamed Akopyan, Aram Ter-Martirosyan (ConnectTo Communications) and Partydj Karen, without whom the telethon would not have been possible. This team of selfless individuals worked hard day and night to put together what we all witnessed on Sunday. We are thankful to High Vision TV (Mr. George Asadorian), Best Tv (Mr. Bagrat Sargsyan & Mr. Vahag Sargsyan), New Wave Television (Mr. Ara Kazaryan), Aabctv Channel (Mr. Vrej Agajanian) for broadcasting the telethon last Sunday.

We thank our long time mentors and supporters including Ms. Nune Avetisian, Mr. Steven Juliet Hovagimian, Ms. Lucy Kalfayan, Mr. Hovik Gabikian, and Mr. Hovannes Balayan. These individuals have always been there for UYA over its decade long history.

We also thank the individuals* and organizations below:
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Congressman Adam Schiff
CA Assemblyman Mike Gatto
LA Councilman Eric Garcetti
Councilmember Ara Najarian
Councilmember Laura Friedman
Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan
Former Councilmember and Current Glendale City Treasurer Rafi Manoukian
GUSD Board President Nayiri Nahabedian
GUSD Board Member Greg Krikorian
Glendale City Clerk Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian
Armen Armenchik Gondrachyan
Vakhtang Vic Darchinyan
Narbeh Nalchachian
V & K Financial Services (Vilen Tavatyan)
Allied West Paper (The Ovanessian Family)
Hi Star Auto
Car City
1in.am (Arman Babajanyan)
Flawless Laser Center
Vartan Gharpetian
GUSD Board Member Dr. Armine Gharpetian
Garo Ghazarian, Esq.
Dr. Nubar Janoian
Hovhannes Shahbazyan
Harut Hagopian
Maria Cozette
Gagik Badalyan
Karen Boksian
Artur Madoyan
Vitamin Club
Vardan Amolikyan
Sako Zelveyan
Bedros Hajian
Karen Boksian
Hasmik Khachatryan
Levon Ter-Petrosyan
Eve Olve (Yeva Haryants)
Vito Gasparyan
Arno Mrtchyan
Seroj Avoyan
Done
Davit Tovmasyan
Martik Hovakimian
Gor Vardanyan (and the Docando Federation)
Gokor Harutyunyan
Sako Chivichian
Chuko
Louise Gill
Harout Balyan
SEIU 721
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ռամկավար Ազատական Կուսակցութիւն)
Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) (Սոցիալ Դեմոկրատ Հնչակյան Կուսակցություն) 
Armenian Bar Association 
Loyola Law School Armenian Law Student Association
United Armenian Council of Los Angeles
Allo Luv
Net Cafe
Best Choice Bail Bond
Calstar Plumbing & Rooter
Beno Blanko (and G Spot Hookah Catering)
And others...

Last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for having dedicated, hardworking, and patriotic members who went above and beyond the call of duty to make the UYA telethon a success. Each one of them deserves recognition and a standing ovation.

Sincerely,

Aroutin Hartounian
President
Unified Young Armenians (UYA)

*The names above are only a portion of the individuals who have stood by us during these last telethons. We apologize for any omissions and assure you that such omissions were not intentional.