November 27, 2003

ACNIS Policy Seminar on Religious Issues of National Minorities 

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) today hosted a third policy seminar here in its ongoing series on national minorities. Dedicated this time to “The Religious Issues of National Minorities in the Armenian Reality” and held within the framework of a Council of Europe project on “Coordination among National Minorities and Information Exchanges on Minority Rights in Armenia,” the conference brought together the representatives of all national minority communities in the republic, spiritual leaders and government authorities dealing with religious issues, diplomats, as well as Council of Europe and OSCE specialists to focus on the most pressing religious issues. 

Karapet Kalenchian of ACNIS addressed the capacity audience with opening remarks. “The more the nationalities and religions in a given state, the stronger that state should be. Different religions must become a unifying, not a divisive force. This is one of the bases of democracy. To have a developed democracy we should combine all our efforts,” he said.

Stepan Safarian, ACNIS project director, noted that “the religious issues of national minorities in Armenia cannot be viewed within the context of discrimination, as there exist no records certifying any case of persecution towards national minority representatives because of their religious belief. Nonetheless, national minorities do have multiple issues to be considered collectively.”

Arsen Mikhailov, chairman of the “Atur” Assyrian union, gave a report on “Matters of Creed in the Assyrian Communities.” “The Assyrian Apostolic Church of the East is already operating in Armenia, registered here with the support of the Armenian government. The major problem we face is the repair of churches, which we cannot solve for lack of finances,” he stated.

Hasan Hasanian, head of the Yezidi religious organization “Followers of Sharfadin,” dwelt upon “The ‘Sharfadin’ Creed: Religious Questions in the Yezidi Communities” without recording any case of discrimination in Armenia. The Yezidis, he asserted, encounter no obstacles in practicing their religion; however, society is unaware of their traditions, ceremonies, and so forth. “It is desirable that television cover and make the public aware of our national traditions, and students be taught about the religions of national minorities in their school curriculum,” he said.

Rima Varzhapetian, chairwoman of the Jewish community of Armenia, mentioned in her paper that Armenia is one of the most favorable countries where national minorities bear no discrimination or persecution. Still, she wished for the government to be more sympathetic and caring towards the challenges their communities face.

Slava Rafaelidis, chairman of the Council of Armenian Nationalities, informed his colleagues that the Greek community had applied to the Yerevan City Council several years ago for a place to build a Greek church. The City Council allocated a place for it, but after a period of time it changed its decision, and the Greek community could not afford building a church with its own resources.

Father Garegin Haroutiunian, dean of the Vazgenian Theological Seminary at Sevan, addressed “The Potential for Harmonious Coexistence among Different Ethnic Religions in the Armenian Reality: The Perspective of the Armenian Apostolic Church.” “The Armenian Apostolic Church carries no prejudice toward any other branch of Christianity or any other religion,&#`48; he said.

Razmik Markosian, religious affairs adviser to the Armenian Prime Minister, spoke about “The State’s Approach to the Religious Problems of National Minorities.” According to him, the problems of this and other spheres are also due to the absence of consensus among the communities. “Today’s session of government will discuss the creation of a board on national minority issues,” he stated.

Vardan Astsatrian, the coordinator on national minorities and religious issues of the social department of the Armenian government, continued the theme of the state’s approach to the religious issues of national minorities. He was certain that all relevant problems could be overcome through regular joint efforts.

During their discussions on creed and religious identity, virtually all the participants in the seminar expressed concern about sectarian movements and proselytism which threatened both the Armenian majority and the national minorities.

The formal deliberations were followed by questions, answers, and a lively exchange among Siaband Bakoyan, chairman of the “Ezdikhana” association’s political council; Alikhan Shababian, representative of Nor Nork district council; Rima Varzhapetian, chairwoman of the Jewish community of Armenia; Knyaz Hasanov, representative of the Kurdish community in Armenia; Slava Rafaelidis, chairman of the Council of Armenian Nationalities; Nelli Simonidi, Greek-Armenian school teacher;  Arsen Mikhailov, chairman of the “Atur” Assyrian union; Irina Gasparian, representative of the Assyrian community; Alexander Yaskorski, head of the German community; Olha Parkhomenko, head of the Ukrainian Association; Razmik Markosian, religious affairs adviser to the Armenian Prime Minister; Vardan Astsatrian, coordinator on national minorities and religious issues of the social department of the Armenian government; parliamentarian Vazgen Khachikian; Aramazd Zakarian, political council member of the “Republic” Party; Karapet Kalenchian of ACNIS; Stepan Safarian, ACNIS program director; Shavarsh Khachatrian, researcher at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom; Gayane Markosian of the “Harmonious World” NGO; Tamara Vardanian, representative of the “Noravank” foundation; Karen Toumanian of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly of Vanadzor; and many others.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian, and supported by the Lincy Foundation and a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider understanding of the new global environment. In 2003, the Center focuses primarily on public outreach, civic education, and applied research on critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.

For further information on the Center and its activities, call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; e-mail root@acnis.am or info@acnis.am