The Armenian Church of Zuravor Mother of God in Mehakavan Destroyed: Statement by Human Rights Defender

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia has issued a statement regarding the destruction of the Zuravor Mother of God Armenian church in Mehakavan by Azerbaijan, which we present below.

“Following the September-November 2020 war, the Zuravor Mother of God Armenian church in Mehakavan was completely destroyed after coming under Azerbaijani control. The consecration and opening ceremony of the church took place on October 1, 2017, under the presidency of Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan.

The fact of the church's destruction is confirmed by a publication from BBC World News. During the war, Azerbaijani military personnel released a video showing how they cynically disrespected and vandalized the Armenian church. The staff of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia translated and analyzed the video, which openly demonstrates the intent of religious hatred and the desire to demolish the Armenian church.

Another evident fact is that the church was destroyed not during military operations, but after their cessation. What has occurred is another manifestation of the political climate of hatred towards Armenians and religious-based intolerance in Azerbaijan, constituting a gross violation of internationally guaranteed religious freedom. This is yet another evidence of the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.”