The United Nations Human Rights Council held its 7^th session devoted to the rights of minorities on November 25-26. Among the participants was Syrian-Armenian lawyer Kevork Hagopjian, who gave an interview to “Hayern Aysor”.

“Hayern Aysor”: Kevork, first, I would like to ask you to tell us everything that is interesting about you and that will help us get to know you.

Kevork Hagopjian: I was born in Aleppo, Syria. I attended the Sahakian School and the Karen Eppe School of Aleppo and went on to graduate from Aleppo State University with a major in law. I obtained my MA in International Law from the University of London/SOAS. I have taken courses on journalism, body language, management, modern thinking, public service, human rights, the establishment of peace, as well as minorities’ rights and Armenian history in London, Geneva, Aleppo, Damascus and Beirut.

I am fluent in Armenian, English, Arabic and Turkish. I am a correspondent for Lebanon’s Aztag Daily and Aleppo’s Gandzasar Weekly and write articles for several youth newspapers.

Since childhood, I have been a member of various Armenian unions, organizations and associations like the youth and student associations in Syria, Homenetmen Scouts, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, the Christian Education Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Aleppo, the office of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia for youth and more. I have also participated in several forums and seminars as a participant and sometimes as a speaker and lecturer.

Currently, I am based in London and, alongside working with several non-governmental organizations, I am also preparing to obtain my PhD.

“Hayern Aysor”: You were born in Aleppo. Please tell us about your memories and experiences of Aleppo in the past and present.

K. H.: This interview won’t be enough to share all my unforgettable memories of Aleppo. I believe I can write volumes about Aleppo, the lifestyle of the Armenians of Aleppo, as well as the social and national values of the Armenians of Aleppo. In any case, the active community life, literature, culture and especially social life are the first things I remember.

I always remember the Armenian organizations of Aleppo, the events and celebrations, as well as the all-Union programs and camping events. So, I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that we created our own Armenia in Aleppo, without being on Armenian land or drinking the water of Armenia…

We talk a lot about modern-day Aleppo and the painful and difficult situation that it is in. We have to continue to talk about it and work for Aleppo…There are flaws and difficulties, but maintaining schools, churches, national unions and organizations, providing shelter for children and the elderly are not easy tasks…I respect the Armenians of Aleppo for their unbreakable will, faith and courage.

“Hayern Aysor”: What do you think is the mission of Armenian youth (Syrian-Armenian youth) today?

K. H.: I believe the Armenian youth of Syria today, in addition to resisting the serious challenges caused by the war, have the mission to serve the local Armenians, preserve and protect the structures and organizations belonging to the Armenians, as well as to preserve our national values and traditions. I commend the fact that a large percentage of Syrian-Armenian youth involved in the humanitarian efforts for Syria are aware of their calling and are devoted to the efforts.

As for the young Armenians of Syria living away from Syria, they are willing to help their family, friends and relatives with anything they can. Each young person has a tremendous amount of work to do in his or her field and profession to ensure the security, welfare and physical survival of Syrian-Armenians through advocacy and politics at the regional and international levels.

Yes, Syrian-Armenian youth must first and foremost take care of the needs of the Armenians of Syria, but generally speaking, they must also make their contributions to the efforts aimed at finding solutions to the Syrian crisis through peace. Syrian-Armenian youth must be the ones supporting the solution to the Syrian crisis through peace, dialogue and tolerance.

In addition to the above mentioned, young Syrian-Armenians also play a role in Armenia’s nation-building and reinforcement, the pursuit of the Armenian Cause, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, preserving the image of Western Armenians and in raising Armenian issues at the international level.

“Hayern Aysor”: How was it that you participated in the UN program?

K. H.: The participants of the Minorities Rights Programme organized by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights are individuals who belong to tribal, religious, national and linguistic minorities, have the highest certificate of their profession, are aware of the current issues facing the given minority and can receive a recommendation letter from the structure or organization of the particular minority.

Applicants prepare a relevant study on the given minority. Later, they are called to an interview by the organizing body, and only after that is the applicant accepted or rejected. During admission, in addition to the scientific and experimental potential of the applicant, the serious challenges and problems facing the given minority are also taken into consideration.

“Hayern Aysor”: What was your speech about?

K. H.: The UN Human Rights Council has been holding sessions devoted to minorities for the past seven years. Every year, the Council discusses a current issue and gives instructions. This year the Council held a discussion on “Ways of Preventing Brutality and Violent Crimes Against Minorities and Stopping the Supplies of Items To Be Used”.

During a conversation between government officials, members of international organizations, civil society and minorities ahead of the session, I delivered a speech entitled “The Role of Youth in Suspending Crimes Against Minorities”, and during the session, on behalf of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, I spoke about the serious difficulties facing Syrian-Armenians and made suggestions to overcome those difficulties in accordance with the principles of international law.

“Hayern Aysor”: What can one gain from participation in this program?

K. H.: The program is beneficial in many regards. Firstly, the participant has the chance to become familiar with the tremendous human rights structures of the United Nations and their activities. Secondly, the participant has opportunities to establish contacts and learn from the experiences of representatives of other minorities. Thirdly, the participant has the legal instruments that can be used at the local level and to defend the rights of minorities.

Fourthly, and most importantly, the participant has the opportunity to draw the international community’s attention to the problems and difficulties facing the particular minority and seek ways of solving them. Unfortunately, I can say that the international community hasn’t properly focused on the issues facing the Armenians of the Middle East and particularly Syria due to the lack of goal-oriented propaganda. These and other similar programs set the stage for raising the issues concerning all Armenians.

“Hayern Aysor”: Armenians live in different countries and form a minority. What do you have to say about that?

K. H.: As a minority, Armenians don’t have the same rights in all countries and in all environments. Minorities of a given country are treated in accordance with the policy, economy and social system of the country, and the Armenians are no exception.

In some countries, the rights of Armenians are respected as a minority, but are ignored in other countries. In any case, the rights of minorities are an inseparable part of human rights that are enshrined in several points of international law. The rights of minorities are universal, meaning they are the same, regardless of importance of geographical position.

The rights of minorities can be hinged on the following four main pillars:

a. right to survival, b. right to defense of identity, right to no discrimination and to equality, d. right to effective participation in political, economic and social life.

All the laws devoted to the rights of minorities are hinged on these four principles. Therefore, it is the fair right of every Armenian to enjoy these elementary rights. In countries where these rights are enjoyed, Armenians are called for enshrining them more and exercising them to the best of their ability. In countries where these rights are not respected, Armenians must work harder to obtain them by law.

“Hayern Aysor”: Are you aware of the problems facing minorities in Armenia?

K. H.: As far as I know, 2.5 percent of the population of Armenia is composed of tribal, national, religious and linguistic minorities, like the Yezidis, the Persians, the Kurds, the Russians, the Assyrians and more. Here I would like to touch upon a phenomenon. Recently, a linguistic minority of more than 10,000 people was formed in Armenia…

The members of that minority are the Armenians who have settled in Armenia due to the events taking place in the Middle East and speak Western Armenian. True, the state language of Armenia is Armenian and there is legally no discrimination between Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian, but in reality, it’s obvious that Eastern Armenian is the dominant language. My request is to have the Armenian government ensure and guarantee the linguistic rights of this sector of Armenians through legal, corresponding and all possible measures, events, structures and forms of assistance in order to save and preserve Western Armenian, which is already in danger.

“Hayern Aysor”: Kevork, you were born and live abroad. What does the homeland mean to you?

K. H.: The homeland is an inseparable part of my essence. It is the basis of my national belonging and the source of my pride. Yes, I was born and raised abroad, but the Homeland has always had a presence in my life and in the lives of my peers, and it continues to have a presence. The Homeland is not abstract. It’s a tangible reality, and Diaspora Armenians are as responsible as the Armenians born in Armenia for the strength, independence and security of the Homeland. After all, belonging to the Armenian nation and to Armenia doesn’t have anything to do with the place where an Armenian is born.

For the sake of truth, I must say that Armenia today is not the homeland that we had dreamed of. It faces many difficulties and challenges in terms of politics, economy, society and in terms of relations. Diaspora Armenian youth must understand the reasons for this so that they don’t lose hope and help overcome these difficulties.

Interview by Lusine Abrahamyan