View source for European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy

{{distinguish|text=[[Assembly of Armenians of Europe]]}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy
| abbreviation  = EAFJD
| formation = {{start date and age|df=y|2002}}
| headquarters = {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]]
| region_served = {{flag|Europe}}
| leader_title  = President
| leader_name   = Kaspar Karampetian
| website = [http://eafjd.eu  Website]
|image= EuropeanArmenianFederationforJusticeandDemocracyLogo.jpg|image_size=225px}}

The '''European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy''' ('''EAFJD''') ([[Armenian language|Armenian]]: ՀՅԴ Եվրոպայի Հայ դատի գրասենյակ) is a grassroots [[umbrella organization]] which represents a significant part of the [[Armenian diaspora]] in [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://anca.org/eafjd-calls-on-eu-to-condemn-azerbaijani-provocations/ |title=EAFJD Calls on EU to Condemn Azerbaijani Provocations |date=2017-01-03 |website=Armenian National Committee of America |publisher=[[Armenian National Committee of America]] |location=US |language=en-US |access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/2018/06/20/fm_agbu_eafjd/8335 |title=Armenian Foreign Minister met with the representatives of AGBU Europe District and the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy |website=mfa.am |publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Armenia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia]] |location=Armenia |language=hy |access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2018/04/20/Belgian-deputies-visiting-Artsakh/1936959|title=Visiting Artsakh is not a crime, Belgian deputies say}}</ref> The EAFJD is the main interlocutor promoting Armenian issues in the [[European Union]] and other [[international organizations]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/515572|title=EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION FOR JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY LAUNCHED |date=4 June 2002 }}</ref>

== Activities ==
===Armenia-EU relations=== 
One of the goals of the EAFJD is to strengthen the ties and deepen cooperation between [[Armenia]] and the [[Member state of the European Union|member states of the EU]].

In 2013, with common efforts of the Mission of Armenia to the EU and the EAFJD a friendship group with Armenia was established in the [[European Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asbarez.com/107521/european-parliament-armenia-friendship-group-established |title=European Parliament-Armenia Friendship Group Established|date=10 January 2013 }}</ref> The group was relaunched in February 2015, after the European Parliament's elections of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/cyprus/el/%CE%BA%CF%8D%CF%80%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF%CE%B9-%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%81%CF%89%CE%B2%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%82/the-eu-armenia-friendship-group-has-been-established-in-the-european-parliament|title=The EU-Armenia Friendship Group has been established in the European Parliament|date=20 May 2024 }}</ref> The friendship group is currently composed of around 50 MEPs and fosters the cooperation between the two sides.

As of 2018, the organization initiated the [[Vahan Hovhannisyan]] Internship Program which gives an opportunity to young Armenian professionals to get acquainted with the work of the EAFJD, as well as that of the European institutions, in particular the European Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ancnews.info/?p=14012|title=EAFJD launches Vahan Hovhannisyan Internship Program}}</ref>

The EAFJD often cooperates and coordinates activities with the [[European Friends of Armenia]] organization.

== Armenian genocide recognition==
The EAFJD's activities also aim at the recognition of the [[Armenian genocide]] by Turkey and [[Armenian genocide reparations|reparations]]. Since its establishment, the EAFJD has been also advocating for the condemnation and [[Armenian genocide recognition|recognition]] of the Armenian genocide by the parliaments of various European countries, as well as the European Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2013/05/31/european-parliament-conference/508145|title=European Parliament hosts conference on Armenian Genocide|language=en}}</ref> The EAFJD contributed to the adoption of a European Parliament resolution in April 2015 which reaffirms the parliament's condemnation of the Armenian genocide and urges Turkey to come to terms with its past.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA-2015-0094+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN|title=Texts adopted - Wednesday, 15 April 2015 - Armenian genocide 100th anniversary - P8_TA(2015)0094|website=europarl.europa.eu|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref>

==Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh==
A focal aspect of the EAFJD's activities is advocacy for the fundamental right of the people of [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]] to decide upon their own present and future as well as live in peace and dignity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tufenkianfoundation.org/news/236 |title=ARTSAKH PEACE PROCESS DISCUSSED AT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT |access-date=2019-01-19 |archive-date=2019-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120001913/http://www.tufenkianfoundation.org/news/236 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/252613/Karabakh_must_be_the_subject_not_an_object_of_peace_process_experts|title=Karabakh must be the subject, not an object of peace process: experts}}</ref>
The EAFJD undertakes initiatives and projects aimed at promoting people-to-people contact and exchange with the people of Artsakh. In order to foster dialogue between the EU and Artsakh, the organization puts special emphasis on the development of the parliamentary diplomacy between the [[National Assembly (Artsakh)|National Assembly of Artsakh]] and legislative bodies of the EU member states, as well as the European Parliament. During the past few years the EAFJD contributed to the establishment of friendship groups with Artsakh in several parliaments in Europe.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://artsakhtimes.am/en/%D6%86%D5%AC%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A4%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%A1-%D5%A1%D6%80%D6%81%D5%A1%D5%AD-%D5%A2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A5%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%B6%D5%B8%D6%80-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B4/|title=A new friendship group in the Flemish Parliament }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eafjd.eu/cercle.html |title=Création de cercle d'amitié à l'égard de la République d'Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh) |access-date=2019-01-22 |archive-date=2019-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122195609/http://www.eafjd.eu/cercle.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The EAFJD organizes and facilitates fact-finding missions of public and political figures to Artsakh in order to obtain firsthand information about the reality and developments in the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://old.armradio.am/en/2018/08/30/german-mep-martin-sonneborn-is-in-artsakh-on-a-fact-finding-mission/|title=German MEP Martin Sonneborn is in Artsakh on a fact-finding mission|access-date=2019-01-19|archive-date=2019-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121064218/http://old.armradio.am/en/2018/08/30/german-mep-martin-sonneborn-is-in-artsakh-on-a-fact-finding-mission/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://asbarez.com/127823/visiting-eu-lawmaker-backs-artsakhs-right-to-self-determination/|title=Visiting EU Lawmaker Backs Artsakh's Right to Self-Determination }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://anca.org/artsakh-is-stronghold-of-armenia-and-europe-says-flemish-lawmaker/ |title=Artsakh is Stronghold of Armenia and Europe, Says Flemish Lawmaker }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://anca.org/eafjd-accompanies-belgian-deputies-to-armenia-and-nkr/ |title=EAFJD Accompanies Belgian Deputies to Armenia and NKR }}</ref>

The EAFJD's aim is to overcome the stereotype of Artsakh/[[Nagorno-Karabakh]] as a conflict zone and present various aspects of its society and the daily life of the people of Artsakh, as well as its rich tourism potential and unique cultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/868572/brussels-hosts-%E2%80%9Cartsakh/nagorno-karabakh-hidden-treasure%E2%80%9D-exhibition.html|title=Brussels hosts "Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh Hidden Treasure" exhibition}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/923220|title=16 MEPs are asking Federica Mogherini why EU officials do not visit Artsakh}}</ref> The organization makes continuous efforts towards strengthening democracy, supporting the active civil society, contributing to the economic development and advancing human rights in Artsakh.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aravot-en.am/2017/09/22/200170/?s=|title=EAFJD raised the issue of the isolation of the population of Artsakh at OSCE Human Rights Conference}}</ref>

==Armenian communities in the Middle East==
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy sensitizes on the issues of the Armenian communities in the [[Middle East]], notably in [[Syria]]. In this framework, the EAFJD initiated and facilitated a fact-finding mission comprising Belgian MP George Dallemagne and a number of journalists to the Syrian cities of [[Kessab]] and Lattakia to obtain up-to-date information on the situation of Christian minorities, particularly the Armenians living there.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ancnews.info/?p=6329 |title=La RTBF, La Libre et le sénateur George Dallemagne en Syrie a l'invitation des CDCA de Belgique (ANC Belgium) et FEAJD (EAFJD)|date=19 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.levif.be/actualite/international/une-semaine-en-syrie-pour-georges-dallemagne/article-normal-414183.html |title=Une semaine en Syrie pour Georges Dallemagne|date=3 September 2015 }}</ref>

==Community activism==
As an umbrella organization, the EAFJD coordinates the activities of its member organizations—committees for the Defense of the Armenian Cause (ANCs) in Europe and organizes events to raise awareness of issues facing the Armenians diaspora.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asbarez.com/137282/greek-parliament-president-receives-european-armenian-and-anc-greece-delegation|title=Greek Parliament President Receives European Armenian and ANC Greece Delegation }}</ref>
Every four years, the EAFJD organizes the European Armenian Convention, which brings together Armenian and European officials, politicians, religious leaders, representatives of academia, media, and civil society to discuss challenges as well as resolutions to issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theeuarmeniafriendshipgroup.com/the-3rd-european-armenian-convention-held-in-brussels |title=Third European Armenian Convention Held in Brussels }}</ref>
The most recent convention took place in Brussels between 17–18 October 2017. More than 300 participants from different countries of Europe and the world were present at the event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.1tv.am/en/2017/10/18/Fourth-Armenian-Conference-of-Europe-in-Brussels/73572 |title=Fourth Armenian Conference of Europe in Brussels |date=18 October 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/908336/demand-for-recognition-of-armenian-genocide-artsakh-armenia-eu-ties-agenda-of-congress-of-european-armenians.html |title= Demand for recognition of Armenian Genocide, Artsakh, Armenia-EU ties: Agenda of congress of European-Armenians approved |date= 10 October 2017 }}</ref>

==Short-term observation missions to Artsakh==
Acknowledging the crucial role of election observation in [[democracy]]-building and promoting [[human rights]], especially in new emerging democracies, such as Artsakh, the EAFJD deploys short-term observation missions (STOs) to the electoral processes of the Artsakh Republic based on the election observation methodology of the [[Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights|OSCE/ODIHR]].

In 2015, the EAFJD deployed an independent international STO mission to obverse the parliamentary elections in Artsakh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.civilnet.am/news/2015/05/04/parliamentary-elections-in-nagorno-karabakh/269304|title=Parliamentary Elections in Nagorno Karabakh }}</ref>
In 2017, another highly experienced short-term international mission was deployed to observe the [[2017 Nagorno-Karabakh constitutional referendum|Referendum on the drafted Constitution of Artsakh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2017/02/22/eafjd-observation-mission-releases-initial-report-artsakh-referendum |title=EAFJD Observation Mission Releases Initial Report on Artsakh Referendum|date=22 February 2017 }}</ref> These two observation missions were first in their format and professionalism as they were based on the methodology of the OSCE/ODIHR. Besides, they were another step towards breaking the isolation of the Artsakh Republic, as many international organizations still refrain from deploying election observation missions to Artsakh due to its unrecognized status.

== See also ==
{{Portal|European Union|Politics}}
* [[Armenia–European Union relations]]
* [[Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement]]
* [[Armenian diaspora]]
* [[Armenian National Committee of America]]
* [[Eastern Partnership]]
* [[Euronest Parliamentary Assembly]]
* [[European Friends of Armenia]]
* [[European Integration NGO]]
* [[Foreign Relations of Armenia]]
* [[PanEuropa Armenia]]
* [[Union of Armenians of Europe]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.facebook.com/European.Armenian.Federation/ European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy] on Facebook

{{Armenian diaspora}}
{{Foreign relations of Armenia}}
{{Foreign relations of the European Union 2}}
{{Armenia topics}}

[[Category:Armenia–European Union relations]]
[[Category:Armenian diaspora in Europe]]
[[Category:Diaspora organizations]]
[[Category:International organizations based in Europe]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Brussels]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2002]]