On September 2 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian together with Bradley Busetto, the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Aziz Tamoyan, President of the National Union of Yazidis, Shaikh Bro Hasanyan, the religious leader of the Yazidis of Armenia handed a note to Christoph Bierwirth, the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on transferring 100 000 USD to the account of the UNHCR Geneva Headquarters for providing support to the Yezidis who have suffered from the actions of extremists in Iraq and have been displaced from their homes.
Addressing the guests of the event Foreign Minister Nalbandian said: “During the recent weeks the world’s attention is focused on the massive crimes committed by the extremists in Iraq against religious and ethnic minorities. As a result of violence thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, amongst them Yazidis, Christians, Muslims. As a result of the atrocities there are many victims.
By the directives of the President of Armenia, the Foreign Ministry has initiated respective measures: the Armenian representatives in the international organizations have voiced the urgency of the problem and called on the international community to take immediate actions. Armenia was the co-author of the respective resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council on September 1, 2014.
The people and Government of Armenia share the indignation and concern of Yazidi citizens of Armenia concerning the current tragic developments.
As you know the Armenian Government has made a decision to offer an aid of 100.000 USD to the displaced Yazidis of Iraq and today we hand the note about transferring that sum to the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia.”
The President of the National Union of Yazidis Aziz Tamoyan expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Armenia for sharing the concerns of Yazidis, for voicing about this problem in the international arena, for standing by Yazidi people in this difficult situation and giving assistance.
Bradley Busetto, the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia in his speech welcomed this humanitarian step and solidarity of Armenia with the Iraqi minorities who are facing the threat of genocide. As the UN Resident Coordinator stated, Armenia’s participation in the humanitarian activities of the UN shows the important role of Armenia as a member of international humanitarian society. He assured that the UN does everything possible to support and assist those who have suffered from violence in Iraq.
Christoph Bierwirth, the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia, highly appreciated Armenia’s decision to help Iraqi Yezidis which is an important contribution in supporting the displaced people.
