“Russia Must Restrain Azerbaijan with Its Actions” - Gegham Stepanyan

Protests initiated by Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, continue in Yerevan, where participants demand the international community respond effectively to Azerbaijan's genocidal policies against Artsakh.

During a rally in front of the Russian Embassy, participants called for decisive action to restrain Azerbaijan, which is obliged to adhere to the provisions of the trilateral agreement. They urged Russia to undertake all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of people living in Artsakh.

According to Armenpress, Gegham Stepanyan emphasized that Russia's role is critically important in this matter, as the country plays a significant role in the conflict. Russia is the guarantor of the November 9, 2020 trilateral agreement, the only representative of the international community in Artsakh, and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

“I am confident that Russia can take all necessary actions to restore the connection between Armenia and Artsakh. The actions of Azerbaijan are also aimed at discrediting Russian peacekeepers. Azerbaijan should not feel impunity,” said the Artsakh Human Rights Defender during the rally.

He stressed that Azerbaijan's actions aim to prepare the ground for the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces from Artsakh after 2025, leaving the people of Artsakh without guarantees of safety.

“We believe that the Russian Federation must, through its actions, restrain Azerbaijan, which is obliged to implement the provisions of the trilateral agreement. I am confident that the Russian Federation can do this. I believe that the Russian Federation wants to do this, and as the Human Rights Defender of the Artsakh people, who also has many contacts with representatives of the Russian peacekeeping force, I know that there are people in the force who are genuinely committed to their mission. I want to appeal again to these individuals, asking them to take all necessary actions so that in the shortest period, right now, the uninterrupted communication between Mother Armenia and Artsakh is restored, and the two parts of the Armenian people can unite,” declared the Artsakh Human Rights Defender.

On December 15, protests were held in Armenia, initiated by the Artsakh Human Rights Defender, in front of the embassies of the USA, China, the EU, and France.