Latest posts by Onnik Krikorian from February, 2011
Azerbaijan: Great People's Day
Activists in Azerbaijan have opened a Facebook page, 11 March – Great People's Day in Azerbaijan / 11 Mart – Böyük Xalq Günü, to attract support for their plans to protest after being inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.
Azerbaijan: Join Us
Pro-opposition activists in the Armenian Diaspora are starting to use rap music to communicate their message ahead of next week's demonstration in Yerevan while youth movements in Azerbaijan have long been doing so. Uploaded to YouTube in October, one example is Shirbənd with Bizimlə ol (Join Us) as opposition groups...
Armenia: Rapping the Revolution of Reform
Even if the use of social media ahead of an opposition rally scheduled to mark the 3rd anniversary of bloody post-presidential clashes which left 10 dead remains low, some activists are at least using the new online tools at their disposal. In particular, those behind a Facebook page to increase...
Armenia: Homophobia as propaganda?
Unzipped: Gay Armenia, one of two blogs written by Mika Artyan, comments on remarks by a major opposition politician linking emigration to homosexuality ahead of this week's rally to call for regime change. The activist blogger, one of the most prominent covering the 2008 presidential election in Armenia as well...
Armenia: Social Networks for Social Revolution?
With uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world, the extra-parliamentary opposition in Armenia is now seeking to replicate events in the former Soviet republic, and not least because 1 March 2011 will mark the 3rd anniversary of post-presidential election clashes which left 10 people dead.
Armenia: Apathy or revolution?
Footprints compares the situation in Armenia with that in Egypt, but says that despite the problems it is unlikely a similar uprising will occur. In particular, the blog blames apathy among the youth and a fractured opposition.
Azerbaijan: Diaspora & Patriotism
Scary Azeri takes a look at the Azerbaijani Diaspora in the United Kingdom and notes some peculiarities as it pertains to notions of “patriotism.”
Georgia: Sex & the EU
Social Science in the Caucasus examines the results of a 2008 survey aimed at comparing Georgian social attitudes to those in the EU. The survey, for example, found that 80 percent of Georgians with no family members in EU member states were against the idea of a woman having sex...
Caucasus: Peace Village
Tamada Tales, a EurasiaNet blog, comments on plans by an Armenian peace activist to establish a peace building center in a village situated close to the intersection of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Noting that Armenians and Azerbaijanis are “implacable foes,” the blog notes that Georgia has often proven itself to...
Azerbaijan: Corruption crackdown
In the wake of popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the oil-rich former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan has unexpectedly launched a crackdown on corruption. Politics By Other Means analyses the move.
Armenia: Blind nationalist hatred
Unzipped comments on what appears to be an orchestrated black PR campaign against a local musician in Armenia. One of four finalists in the running to compose the country's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest, reports in the local media attack Vahram Petrosyan for considering that Armenian and Azerbaijani...
Caucasus: The Vagina Monologues
Georgia On My Mind provides its readers with a comprehensive review of The Vagina Monologues held earlier this week in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Controversial as it was bound to be in a region more renowned for its patriarchal values, the event, which included performances from women from Armenia, Azerbaijan,...
Azerbaijan: The Sinner and The Saint
As irreverent as ever, Scary Azeri comments on Azerbaijan's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Contrasting the angelic look of the male singer with the seductive maturer attributes of the female, the blog sarcastically concludes that Eldar and Nigar might be absurd enough a duo to stand a good...
Azerbaijan: We are all Junkies…
Jabbar Savalan updates its readers on the case of a youth activist recently arrested in Azerbaijan. In its latest entry, the blog reports that the Dalga Youth Movement have issued a statement concerning the arrest [EN], while in another, it posts a photograph of a protest demonstration held in his...
Azerbaijan: Anti-corruption drive following Egypt and Tunisia
Fatalin's Blog comments on word that an anti-corruption drive in Azerbaijan has been initiated following popular revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. The blog cites some examples and hopes that the crackdown will last long after the time when the oil-rich country's regime believes it will be spared any similar protests.
Armenia: Facebook revolution?
Following successful protests in Tunisia and Egypt, aided in part by social media, The Armenian Observer reports that the extra-parliamentary opposition in Armenia hope to replicate attempts to overthrow the government with Facebook. However, the blog notes, with usage incredibly low, such hopes might be sorely misguided.
Azerbaijan: Support site for arrested youth activist
Following news of the arrest last week of a political youth activist in Azerbaijan, a blog, Freedom Jabbar Savalan!, has been set up in English, Azerbaijani and Russian.
Azerbaijan: Political activist reported arrested
SEMIÇKA – OLUBDUR, OLUR, OLACAQ… reports that Jabbar Savalan, an opposition youth activist, has been arrested in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait. The blog quotes associates of Savalan as alleging that charges of drug possession are ‘completely ridiculous.’
Armenia: Prostitutes and Street Trade
The ArmComedy News Network takes a satirical look at recent action taken against illegal street trade in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, and humorously ponders what it means for the city's prostitutes.
Azerbaijan: Statues and Revolution
Aaron in Azerbaijan comments on a recent article noting that among many statues to be found in the country is one of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak. While recognizing some of the similarities between the ruling regimes in both countries, the blog says that they end there and fall far short of...
