ISSUES OF REFUGEES TO BE VOICED DURING “WEEK OF NEGOTIATIONS”

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS:The network of “CRINGO” NGO dealing with the issues of Caucasian refugees and displaced people, together with the Danish Refugee Council has announced December 18-22 “Week of Negotiations” during which the issues relating to refugees will be raised. “During these five days about 100 organizations of “CRINGO” network around the whole Caucasus will participate in campaigns which aim is to voice the issues of the refugees,” Ashot Hakobian, member of the coordinating council of the network, told today at a press conference. Within the framework of the conference a competition on articles about apartment issues of refugees and displaced has been announced. On December 22 at the UN Yerevan Office an exhibition of works of organizations dealing with refugee issues will kick off. Representatives of NGOs present at the conference noted that the “Apartment Ensuring of People Displaced from Azerbaijan from 1988-1992” program carried out by the state leaves an impression as if a “game” of apartment ensuring has started in Armenia which is aimed at involving foreign capital in Armenia. According to the head of “Our House is Armenia” NGO Nikolay Babajanian, in the first round of the program 353 refugee families have received apartment purchasing certificates but 203 gave them back. One of the reasons is the low price of the certificates by which the refugees cannot buy apartments. Armenian Territorial Governance Ministry’s Migration Department says that starting from past year 382 refugee families have got apartment purchasing certificates, 187 cottages and building with 40 flats have been constructed by international organizations. This year the program has been implemented in Hrazdan, Charentsavan, Nairi communities of Kotayk province and in the first building of Yerevan’s Nor Nork student’s hostel. In 2007 the program is expected to be carried out in Abovian and for 20 refugee families living in Yerevan’s Nor Nork student’s hostel.

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