2009 annual report

Armenia

Armenian National Committee of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly
$52,286
To support a think tank in Yerevan which will consolidate civil society groups around democratic ideals and promote those values in the rural regions of Armenia. The program will consist of three types of activities: 20 roundtables in Yerevan, regional seminars, and a three day “master class” involving prominent public figures. At the end of the program there will be a final conference.

Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives (CCPMI)
$14,726
To conduct mock trials and mock public hearings in Yerevan and show other groups the methodology of organizing such events. The CCPMI will conduct training for Armenian activists, participate in rule of law events in Tbilisi, conduct two trials in Yerevan, and maintain a web site.

Chap, LLC (GALA TV)
$39,300
To fund the independent television station GALA in Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia. The station will send a film crew to Yerevan to produce news segments about events of national significance and incorporate this footage into its programming. GALA Television will also expand an existing discussion show, “Addition to GALA News,” from two to five times a week.

Helsinki Association
$49,500
To monitor trials and report on torture and other forms of abuse in places of detention. The Association will monitor sensitive trials such as those stemming from the events of March 1, 2008, when police dispersed mass rallies, leading to ten deaths. The Association will publicize its findings within Armenia and to the international community through reports, a website, and press conferences.

Investigative Journalists NGO
$48,100
To maintain the daily news website, Hetq Online. Articles will be published in Armenian and in English and will focus on domestic politics, foreign relations, social issues, the environment, Nagorno-Karabakh, the economy, the media, the judiciary, regional politics in the Caucasus, and life in Armenia’s regions.

Meltex Ltd. (A1+ TV)
$63,884
To provide news and analysis of political events in Armenia on its web site, produce political talk shows, and hold trainings for journalists. A1+ will produce video clips and news items to be published on its web page. The talk shows will be carried by a network of television broadcasters. Five trainings for journalists will be organized in the regions of the country.

Vernatun Community Development Center
$28,640
To advocate for the release of political prisoners in Armenia. The Center will work with a group of relatives of political prisoners to obtain due process of the law and inform the public about the prisoners’ plight. The organization will select five cases for appeal to the European Court of Human Rights; produce five short films; organize a series of workshops; and maintain a website.