The Language Issue in Artsakh Can Only Be Resolved by Referendum: 'Hraparak'

In the draft amendments to the "Language Law" circulating in the Artsakh National Assembly, it is proposed to grant official language status to Russian. This means that, in addition to Armenian, Russian could also be used in documentation.

Yesterday, in response to the raised concerns, some officials of the Artsakh Republic provided clarifications, stating that the initiative is motivated by the long-term presence of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh and the need to provide a legal solution to communication issues with Russia, and that Russian will not become a state language.

Our sources in Artsakh believe that if it were possible to make Russian a state language through legislative change, Araik Harutyunyan would not hesitate to take that step to please the Russian side. However, the problem is that the Constitution establishes Armenian as the state language of Artsakh, thus any change would require a constitutional amendment, which in this case would necessitate a referendum.

Meanwhile, since the capitulation, the government’s propaganda machine has consistently promoted the thesis that organizing a vote in Artsakh is impossible in the current situation. If a referendum is held for language, the question of early elections will also arise.

We were informed that Russia also intends to open branches of Russian banks in Artsakh. This is also necessary for the financial needs of the peacekeepers.

This was reported by the newspaper "Hraparak."