PEACE ON EARTH IN 2021 AND NO MORE PANDEMIC OR WAR

This Christmas and New Year is a very unusual and sad end to a traumatic year. It feels somehow wrong to be engaging in the usual  joyfulness especially as the pandemic continues to cause havoc, be it in the UK or Armenia or around the world.

Nevertheless, this year, we’ve accomplished something incredible together as an organisation.  We have managed to stay safe and survive personally, professionally and organisationally while many others were less fortunate.  We were able to support those who are the most vulnerable in our community and we found ways of continuing services, even if they were delivered sometimes remotely. We are grateful for your support to manage this as well as helping less fortunate Armenians around the world such as those in Beirut following the explosion in August and in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the war waged against them.

With the arrival of the new Covid 19 vaccine, let us take the opportunity in the coming new year to rebuild lives, whether torn apart by the pandemic, by conflict, hate, divisions and abuse of the environment by creating a safer, more just, civil and peaceful world.

In December 1991, the indigenous people of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh (above) chose their destiny — voting for independence and their right to self-determination in their magical homeland. Let us do our part for peace on earth in 2021 by restoring their human rights.

“Umbrella” waterfall near Shushi, Artsakh

 

We can do so by recognising Artsakh; let us support the people to be free from the ambitions of the despots, arms dealers, mining and oil companies who put their profits above the interest of the ordinary people who live there as well as exposing how their activities are damaging the natural habitats, ecosystems, ravaging the soil, water and all living creatures of the region.

Andrei Sakharov, 1921-1989, Nobel Peace Prize Winner said, “For Azerbaijan the issue of Karabakh is a matter of ambition, for the Armenians of Karabakh, it is a matter of life and death”. (November 1989)

This is a moment to ask you to take action.  Please spare a moment to forward this newsletter to your national & local representatives, share with any social or professional organisation or Trade Union you are a member of, or inform and mobilise work colleagues, friends and family to safeguard the welfare, culture, identity of the Artsakh region and the rights of its indigenous people for a more peaceful 2021.  Contact CAIA for further information on how to do this.

If would like some information on why Artsakh’s Independence is just and legal, here is a good video that explains clearly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFlrt1jgfQ&t