Azerbaijan is Waging a Systematic Fight Against Armenian Cultural Values in Artsakh: Ombudsman

The fierce struggle against the symbols of the Republic of Artsakh is yet another manifestation of the Azerbaijan authorities' and armed forces' intolerance towards Armenians. This was stated by Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh, in a post on his Facebook page.

“The incident involving the removal of the symbols of the Artsakh statehood from a bus transporting minors on the Goris-Kapan road, as well as the demands to take down the Artsakh flag from various locations in Artsakh, are vivid examples of the complete absence of tolerance of Azerbaijanis towards Armenians living in Artsakh. It should be noted that the symbols of the Artsakh statehood are an inseparable part of our cultural values, and thus, intolerance towards them is further evidence that Azerbaijan is waging a systematic fight against Armenian cultural values in Artsakh.

The symbols of statehood represent the right of the people of Artsakh to live in their homeland, preserve their identity, and exercise their right to self-determination. Any encroachment upon them is inherently directed against our people's dignity and the broader system of our rights,” Stepanyan wrote.