OTTAWA, Canada—Canadian-Armenian youth from across the country gathered in Ottawa to hold demonstrations at the Hungarian and Azerbaijani Embassies on Sept. 7, protesting the release, pardoning, and promotion of Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov. The demonstration began at the Hungarian Embassy, after which demonstrators marched to the Azerbaijani Embassy, where they continued their protest.
Representatives from the various Canadian youth organizations spoke out about the dangerous precedent Hungary and Azerbaijan have set by extraditing and pardoning a convicted murderer. Demonstrators also condemned the lionizing of Safarov in Azerbaijan and demanded that it put an end to its racist, anti-Armenian and belligerent rhetoric. At the Hungarian Embassy, Daron Keskinian, a member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) of Canada Central Executive, outlined the demands of the participants. “We urge the international community to join us in demanding an apology from the Hungarian government and asking for the rescission of their immoral decision on extradition,” said Keskinian. Alek Ohanian, a member of “Armen Karo” Student Association, read a letter addressed to László Pordány, the ambassador of Hungary to Canada, which was later delivered to embassy officials.
At the Azerbaijani Embassy, Karnig Hasserjian, also a member of the AYF Canada Central Executive, spoke about the implications of Safarov’s release regarding the Nagarno-Karabagh conflict. “The pardoning of Safarov is further evidence that Azerbaijan is not negotiating in good faith, and that it intends on enticing violence and hatred in an eventual military invasion of Karabagh.”
Congrats to Armenian youth in Canada for responding to the Azeri scanda so promptly and effectively.
Congrats also to the Armenian young-at-heart and non-Armenians who joined this worthwhile and important initiative by the AYF and other Armenian organizations.
Antoine S. Terjanian, Ottawa
make sure to first turn the sound down on your computer before clicking on this site. It is extremely loud and will startle you. I think it is coming through a loudspeaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsQI8pUGapc
Jirair: my apologies, I have somehow misplaced your phone number and want to call you. will you please give it to me again?
I was in that that demonstration. Father Serop was phenomenal in his speech. His enthusiasm and motivation were excellent.
Our AYF youth were excellent and thanks to all our people who were there. The streets of Ottawa were closed between the Hungarian and Azeri embassies.
Looking forward to do this over again next year.
This video is a great piece in showing the demonstration that day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np7KDiiZfzc
The following comment is taken from this site.
http://bianet.org/english/human-rights/140720-demonstrators-protest-release-of-turkish-armenian-soldier-s-killer
“Human rights activists spearheaded by the Nor Zartonk Initiative gathered in Istanbul’s Taksim Square to protest the release of Kıvanç Ağaoğlu pending trial, prior to the deliverance of the final verdict. Ağaoğlu had shot Sevag Balıkçı, a Turkish citizen of Armenian origin, to death while they were performing their mandatory military service.”