Recognition of Karabakh
On May 8, 2014, the California State Assembly passed Assembly Joint Resolution 32, with a landslide victory of 70 ayes and only 1 no vote, introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), making California the most populous governmental entity to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh and calls for the United States to recognize the NKR as a sovereign state, invoking strong language from the United States’ own history regarding the rights of the people to “self-determination and democratic independence.”
On Jan 28, 2014, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the independence of Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The motion was introduced by Councilmember Paul Krekorian
On April 23, 2013, Fresno County became the first County in California to officially recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh). The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Andreas Borgeas that officially recognizes the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and also calls upon the California Legislature to grant official recognition.
On May 30, 2013, the Louisiana State Senate adopted a resolution saluting the Nagorno Karabagh Republic’s independence and urging the U.S. president and Congress “to support the self-determination and democratic independence” of this developing democratic state.
On Aug 6, 2012, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted a resolution urging President Barack Obama and the United States legislature to “support the self-determination and democratic independence” of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
On Oct 24, 2012, the Legislative Council of Australia’s New South Wales Parliament adopted, a resolution recognizing the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and the right to self-determination of its Armenian people. The motion acknowledges the 20th anniversary of independence for the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, it supports the right to self-determination of its people, and it “calls on the Commonwealth Government [of Australia] to officially recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and strengthen Australia’s relationship with the Nagorno Karabakh and its citizens”.
Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/181205/
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United States
California
Artsakh Recognition Passes California State Senate
By MassisPost Updated: August 27, 2014
Sacramento, CA – The Armenian Council of America has announced that the California State Senate has voted to pass Assembly Joint Resolution 32 with a vote of 24-0, recognizing the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) as a sovereign state.
The Resolution, authored by Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), passed in the State Assembly in May. State Senator Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) spearheaded the resolution through the State Senate. AJR 32 calls for the United States to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as a sovereign state, invokes strong language from the United States’ own history regarding the rights of the people to “self-determination and democratic independence.”
In his opening remarks, Senator De Leon recognized the presence of ACA and ANCA in support of the resolution, delivered background information and the importance of the resolution. Senator De Leon stated, “The ethnic Armenian people of Artsakh have suffered tremendously, dating back to the last century, and continuing into this one – and they deserve a free and independent homeland where they will not be in danger of persecution. By passing AJR 32, California aims to motivate the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, and a peaceful resolution of conflicts.”
Senator Berryhill (R-Modesto) reiterated the principle of self-determination that is part of the American identity and basic democratic values, stating, “As Americans, we should understand the desire to be an independent nation, free of tyranny and free to form a government that best reflects our values. It is our own history. Many times on this floor we address the plight of the oppressed and express our desire, as a state legislature, for people to be free and to be able to determine their own destinies. AJR 32 is no different. The peoples of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic did not elect to become part of Azerbaijan in 1921; they were forced into it by the Soviets. It is now their understandable desire to be free. Since declaring its independence Nagorno-Karabakh has held free, transparent and democratic elections. It is fitting that the United States stands behind regions seeking democracy.”
“Senate District 33 is home to a thriving and vibrant Armenian community – people who have embraced important American values of freedom, democracy, and justice.” stated Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) “This resolution asks the President and Congress to extend those fundamental values to the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and encourages their continued development as a free and independent nation.”
“The passage of this important resolution was a long and challenging journey that started with the introduction of this resolution back in January. We worked so hard to make it move forward, and we are so proud today that the California State Senate stood with me in support of the people of Artsakh in their ongoing quest for freedom, democracy and independence.” Stated Assemblymember Gatto.
“We are very pleased that the State Senate has passed the Resolution,” said Sevak Khatchadorian Chairman of the ACA. “Our State representatives recognize and acknowledge the people of Artsakh’s right to self-determination, who value democracy and freedom, and they have demonstrated this today by voting in favor of AJR 32.”
California is now the most populous governmental entity to call for Nagorno-Karabakh’s recognition or to recognize it outright.
Artsakh Recognition Passes California Assembly
By MassisPost Updated: May 8, 2014
SACRAMENTO—The California State Assembly, on Thursday, May 8th, 2014, passed Assembly Joint Resolution 32, with a landslide victory of 70 ayes and only 1 no vote, introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), making California the most populous governmental entity to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh and calls for the United States to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as a sovereign state, invoking strong language from the United States’ own history regarding the rights of the people to “self-determination and democratic independence.”
“It has been my privilege to work with the leaders of the local Armenian American community and their outstanding representatives on this Resolution and I am proud to announce that it has passed on the Assembly Floor,” said Assemblymember Gatto.
“As Californians, we have always been proud of our State’s record reinforcing the principles of democracy and the right to self-determination. Yet, until today, California was lagging behind other States who have passed similar Resolutions to AJR 32,” stated Sevak Khatchadorian, Chair of the Armenian Council of America. “With the passage of AJR 32, California stands by the people of Artsakh, who advocate democracy based on and ideals of freedom and the pursuit of happiness.”
Along with the primary author, Assemblymember Gatto, AJR 32 was co-authored by Assemblymembers; Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo), Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima), Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino), Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) , Matt Dababneh (D-Encino), Brian Nestande (R-Palm Desert), Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto), and Jim Patterson (R-Fresno).
California has become the fifth U.S. state – after Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine and Louisiana – to recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.
A full text of AJR 32 can be found here.
The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated to working with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S. – Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.
http://massispost.com/2014/05/artsakh-recognition-passes-california-assembly/
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Hawaii recognizes Nagorno Karabakh Republic
March 30, 2016 - 10:34 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The House of Representatives of the U.S. State of Hawaii unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Armenian Embassy in the U.S. said in a Facebook Post.
The Resolution expressed its solidarity with the people of Nagorno Karabakh encouraging the international community to recognize the Republic as a free, independent and sovereign democracy.
The House will transmit a certified copy of the document to the President of the United States, and the majority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Hawaii became the seventh state to recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh along with Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Maine, California and Georgia.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/209153/
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Massachusetts Legislature Calls For U.S. Recognition Of Karabakh
Lawmakers in the U.S. state of Massachusetts have passed a resolution calling on U.S. President Barack Obama and Congress to “support the self-determination and democratic independence” of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The resolution, unanimously adopted on Monday by the state's House of Representatives, voices support for continued Armenian control over the disputed territory, saying that the Karabakh Armenians had been “arbitrarily severed from Armenia and forced under Soviet Azerbaijani administration.”
The document also commends last month's presidential election in Karabakh as “another major step” in its democratic development. It says international observers representing non-governmental organizations described the vote as free and fair.
The move follows the adoption of a similar resolution by the state legislature of Rhode Island in May.
Both resolutions were lobbied for by influential Armenian-American advocacy groups as well as the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s representative office in the United States. Massachusetts has a sizable ethnic Armenian population.
“Adoption of this resolution is in keeping with American values of promoting democracy and respect for the fundamental rights of all peoples,” James Kalustian, a senior member of the Armenian Assembly of America, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Azerbaijan’s government has not yet reacted to the development. There has also been no reaction from official Yerevan.
A combination of the internationally recognized principles of people’s self-determination and territorial integrity of states has been at the heart of peace proposals jointly made by the U.S., Russia and France to the parties to the Karabakh conflict in recent years.
New South Wales Recognizes Karabagh Independence
October 26, 2012
SYDNEY, Australia—The Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament adopted a resolution recognizing the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and the right to self-determination of its Armenian people, who declared independence 20 years ago.
The motion, which was unanimously adopted on Oct. 25, comes after many months of advocacy from the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia). It was introduced to the Chamber by the Hon. Marie Ficarra MLC, who was been a long-standing supporter of Armenian issues.
The motion acknowledges the 20th anniversary of independence for the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, it supports the right to self-determination of its people, and it “calls on the Commonwealth Government [of Australia] to officially recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and strengthen Australia’s relationship with the Nagorno Karabagh and its citizens.”
ANC Australia Executive Director Vache Kahramanian and with Communications Director Haig Kayserian were present in the Gallery to witness the successful passage of this historic motion.
“Nagorno Karabakh has been at the forefront of ANC Australia’s recent activities. Today’s result is a victory for all those who continue to remain oppressed under brutal regimes,” Kahramanian remarked.
“The NSW Parliament has always been, and continues to be, a beacon of hope in upholding human rights. We thank all members of the Legislative Council for taking a stance to uphold the basic human right to self-determination. In particular we thank Marie Ficarra for her courageous stance.”
ANC Australia Honorary Chairman, Greg Soghomonian welcomed this historic decision.
Soghomonian said: “The Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is now receiving the status it has long deserved – an independent, democratic republic. This is a significant milestone for the Armenian-Australian community and the Armenian community at large.
He added: “This motion serves as a testament to the strength of the Armenian National Committee of Australia in ensuring the representation of all issues of importance to our community.”
Below is the full text of the motion:
1. That this House notes that 2012 marks the twentieth anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
2. That this House:
(a) acknowledges the importance of the basic human right to self-determination and a free and a democratic society,
(b) recognizes the right to self-determination of all peoples including those of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,
(c) notes Nagorno-Karabakh’s sustained efforts towards creating a free and democratic society through the use of legitimate parliamentary elections and its continued efforts to develop a responsible government,
(d) supports and encourages Nagorno-Karabakh’s involvement within the international community and further encourages its engagement with the international community to reach a solution to the existing regional problems to establish peace and stability,
(e) encourages peaceful relations and the continued promotion of humanitarian and economic support for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh; and
(f) calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially recognise the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and strengthen Australia’s relationship with the Nagorno-Karabakh and its citizens.
Senior Uruguayan Official Visits Karabakh
Lusine Musayelian 14.11.2012
Jorge Orrico, the speaker of the parliament of Uruguay, traveled to Nagorno-Karabakh this week, raising hopes in the unrecognized Armenian republic of a possible recognition by this Latin American state.
Azerbaijan, which considers Nagorno-Karabakh to be its territory, has condemned the visit, saying that it only increases tensions in the region and harms the process of internationally mediated negotiations to find a solution to the protracted conflict.
The chairman of Uruguay’s House of Representatives arrived in Yerevan on Monday at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Hovik Abrahamian. He went to Karabakh the next day to become the first senior official of a foreign state to visit the disputed region.
In the Karabakh capital of Stepanakert the Uruguayan parliament speaker and members of his delegation were reportedly greeted by a large crowd of local residents.
While in Karabakh Orrico met with leader of the unrecognized republic Bako Sahakian and other local officials.
Sahakian reportedly praised Uruguay’s role in the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as well as that country’s “balanced approach to the recognition of Karabakh and Karabakh-Azerbaijan conflict resolution process.”
(Uruguay that has a large Armenian community was the first country in the world, back in 1965, to officially describe the 1915 massacres of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey as genocide).
The two leaders emphasized “the imperative for strengthening relations and the need for concrete steps to achieve this goal.”
Uruguay is the first country to have considered formally recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh where ethnic Armenians fought a three-year war with Azerbaijan after the collapse of the USSR. The disputed region has enjoyed a de-facto independent status since the 1994 ceasefire.
Internationally mediated negotiations are currently underway between Armenia and Azerbaijan to decide the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Little progress, however, has been made so far in the peace process brokered by the United States, Russia and France.
Last year Uruguayan Foreign Minister Luis Almagro said his government had started a process “to present an official government position on the matter.”
“I am personally convinced that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of historic Armenia and it must be independent and in a short while be unified with Armenia. This is the only resolution to the issue,” said the top Uruguayan diplomat, speaking at a conference in Montevideo organized by the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of South America and the Uruguay-Armenia parliamentary group in September 2011.
Ruben Martinez Huelmo, a member of the Uruguayan Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee who accompanied the parliament speaker on the Karabakh trip, said that theoretically Uruguay could recognize Azerbaijan, but added that this was rather “a political process that must develop step by step.”
“Visiting Karabakh is not such a bold move, it is merely a step. We are friends with the Armenian people. We must especially stress the role the ANC office plays in fostering Armenia-Uruguay relations,” Huelmo told journalists in Stepanakert.
Earlier this year, the legislatures in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as the Australian state of New South Wales called upon their respective governments to support the self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijan, which considers Nagorno-Karabakh to be its breakaway region occupied by Armenia, has condemned the resolutions. Official Baku, as reported by Azerbaijani media, has also sent a note of protest to Uruguay in connection with the visit of its senior politician to Nagorno-Karabakh.