Angelina Jolie to adopt an Armenian baby?

I’ve read reports in tabloids that Angelina Jolie is up for more adoptions, which reportedly caused tensions between her and Brad Pitt. But until today I had no idea that Anglenia’s latest preference for adoption is Armenian baby.

Here is what LA Gossip Examiner reports:

Angelina Jolie to adopt an Armenian baby
27 April 2009

Angelina Jolie is going to adopt an Armenian baby with or without Brad. Officials in Armenia would neither confirm nor deny Angelina’s adoption efforts but the Armenian rumors have been strong for a long time. One of the reasons Angelina wants to adopt from Armenia is because there is a lot less “red” tape and the adoption process can be a lot easier. She also believes an Armenian child will fit in perfectly with her African, Cambodian, and Vietnamese babies.

Angelina’s upcoming Armenian adoption has not gone down well with Brad; he wants to adopt from India. Although it would be great for Angelina and Brad to adopt from an orphanage in America, I’m not the type to pit children in different countries against each other. Something tells me, however, that an alien baby is definitely a possibility in the near future.


Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - Still pretending to be in love
21 May 2009

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt put on an act of togetherness Tuesday night at the Cannes Film Festival. They were there to celebrate Brad Pitt’s upcoming WWII flick, Inglorious Bastards. The film received bad word-of-mouth from the screening, which means that there needs to be major editing done for this film to be a hit. However, that wasn’t the biggest problem.

Several insiders say that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are not getting along anymore and have simply grown apart. Some people think Angelina’s possible adoption from Armenia is causing problems while others believe that the upcoming tell-all book from their former bodyguard is also causing rifts. Brad also is not fond of the way Angelina has been treating two dogs, Bingo and Angel, on the set of her new film Salt. Even though their breaking up would make a lot of jealous people happy, let’s hope they stay together for the sake of the kids….and the gossip columnists!

*photo - Getty Images, via LA Gossip Examiner

Armenia’s “Human Rights Day”

10 December – Human Rights Day, 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Around 70 political prisoners.

No free and fair elections on any level (with few minor exceptions).

Restrictions to freedom of assemblies/rallies.

Electronic media (TV), which is the most accessible media in Armenia, is not free or partly free. Situation became slightly better but it's more of a cosmetic nature than a real change. There are still banned TV channels (A1+, Noyan Tapan). Print media is effectively free. However, it does not have enough circulation and population access.

Armenian courts are not independent, and many court cases remind absurd theatres.

Non-stop pressures on businesses close to the opposition to ‘surrender’.

There are problems in relation to all aspects of human rights: children rights, women rights, gender equality, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity...

The best thing to happen in human rights field in Armenia was the introduction and functioning of the Human Rights Ombudsman, both as a person and as an institution. It's far from perfect in terms of work and influence, but recent evidence proves that Armenia’s Human Rights Ombudsman was able to assist in protecting human rights in our country, like no other state person/institution in Armenia. I would consider Armen Harutyunyan as a Person of the Day.

There are also encouraging signs on international level showing that at least based on some recent instances Armenian government aligns itself with the more progressive segments of international community. In particular, I commend Armenian government for signing under the proposed French-sponsored and EU-backed UN statement against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (separate post on this unprecedented action is upcoming), as well as signing European treaty which potentially grants adoption rights to same-sex couples. So far, Armenia is the only country in the region to endorse above mentioned international documents.

It was amusing to read speaker of Armenian parliament Hovik Abrahamyan’s statement on Human Rights Day: "Human rights will be at the centre of attention of Armenian parliament". First, Armenian parliament has to be representative of population, which is – disappointingly - not. Then, it has to prove that it indeed an institution to protect human rights, which is – disappointingly - not.

It's easy to issue statements and declarations on human rights. It's completely different matter and pretty tough to actually mean it and make them work.

Armenia signs European treaty which potentially grants adoption rights to same-sex couples

All details - in Unzipped: Gay Armenia

...signing this treaty by Armenia is encouraging sign, and I commend Armenian government for that.

Not only Armenia is the first country in South Caucasus to do so, but also among the first Europe-wide too. From this point of view, this is pretty significant and welcoming development.