Northridge, CA – Students and human rights activists recently attended a talk by Consul General of Azerbaijan Elin Suleymanov held at California State University – Northridge (CSUN). The lecture, which was requested by Suleymanov, was titled “The Geopolitics of Energy Security in Eurasia, Central Asia, Europe and America,” served as a propaganda event to present Azerbaijan as a stable democracy and investment receptacle for the west. Suleymanov attempted to portray Azerbaijan as a country of “stability, with unmatched regional cooperation and [as] an ideal location for investment”.

“The misinformation campaign of the Azerbaijani government continues,” stated Andrew D. Kzirian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee – Western Region. “Our community is committed to working with human rights activists to ensure that America knows the facts when it comes to Artsakh and Azerbaijan,” he added.

Concerned students, in a collaborative effort, produced flyers on the event and disseminated materials to attendees and passers-by. Students also asked the Consul General questions regarding Azerbaijan’s President’s repeated and explicit threats of war over Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s swelling list of human rights violations, the rampant government corruption plaguing the government, the Sumgait Massacre of Armenians and the disinformation campaign of the Azerbaijani government against Armenia. Those participating were members of various organizations, including the CSUN Armenian Students Association, Shant Student Association, the Armenian Youth Federation and the AEO Fraternity.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo Caption: Azerbaijan’s Consul General Elin Suleymanov.