You Are the Main Responsible: Open Letter from Intellectuals to Araik Harutyunyan

You are the main responsible party, as along with unprecedented territorial and human losses, the victory achieved in 1994 has also been squandered at the cost of the blood and lives of tens of thousands of Armenians. This is stated in an open letter addressed to Araik Harutyunyan, the President of the Republic of Artsakh.

“Mr. Harutyunyan, this letter has been drafted and signed by Armenian citizens of Artsakh and Armenia, as well as recognized intellectuals and civic-political figures living abroad, based on the fact that the fate of Artsakh concerns not only the citizens living in the Republic of Artsakh but also those of the Republic of Armenia and the global Armenian community. The fate of Artsakh affects not only the people of Artsakh but also the very existence of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the question of millions of Armenians living abroad regarding their Armenian identity and the transmission of Armenian culture to future generations. At the same time, let us remind you that it was precisely the documents signed by the leadership of the Republic of Armenia that had a fateful impact on the people of Artsakh.

Thus, as Armenians, we are all on a huge ship. As President of the Republic of Artsakh during your term, you bore witness to an unprecedented disgraceful defeat in the 44-day war of 2020, resulting in the signing of a capitulatory document, leading to the loss of approximately 70 percent of the territory recognized by the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh, the Armenian army suffering over 5,000 casualties, and thousands of families being deprived of their right to live in their native places where they have lived for hundreds and thousands of years.

Upon being elected as President of Artsakh, you swore, “By assuming the office of President of the Republic of Artsakh, I swear to unconditionally fulfill the constitutional requirements, respect the rights and freedoms of citizens, ensure the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and security of the Republic,” as enshrined in Article 91 of the Constitution of Artsakh. According to Article 94 of the same Constitution, “The President of the Republic is the guarantor of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and security of the Republic,” as well as “The President of the Republic is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.”

As the President of Artsakh and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, you have violated the responsibilities assigned to you by Article 91 and Article 94 of the Constitution of Artsakh by not defending either the territorial integrity and security of Artsakh or the rights of the citizens, some of whom have died, while others have been deprived of their right to live in their homeland.

For the last 16 years, being the key political figure of the Republic of Artsakh (having served as Prime Minister, State Minister, and since 2020, President of Artsakh), you are indeed the main responsible party for the unprecedented territorial and human losses, as well as the squandered victory that was achieved in 1994 at the cost of the blood and lives of tens of thousands of Armenians.

Human history is filled with the victories and defeats of different countries and peoples. Usually, one’s victory is another’s defeat. Since ancient times, defeated kings, commanders, and supreme leaders have either committed suicide or resigned following disgraceful defeats, depending on their moral character and sense of conscience and honor.

We are merely stating a fact, presenting the reality. We want to also remind you that regardless of whether you like it or not, people, the public, and the nation view you as the main culprit behind the lost sons, the lost homes, their misfortunes, and tragedies.

Let us reiterate that we are merely presenting the reality as it stands. You must decide what your actions will be.

Serj Sarapionyan - Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor
Vardges Ovyan - Writer, Publicist
Hasmik Papayan - People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia
Valery Khachatryan - Lawyer
Sergey Hambardzumyan - President of the “Katarot” NGO, Colonel
Yuri Hovhannisyan - Artist, Sculptor
Vardan Hovhannisyan - Veteran of the Artsakh War, Colonel
Nazeli Margaryan - Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor
Sedrak Yerkanian - Musician, Conductor, Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Armenia
Gagik Harutyunyan - Businessman
Narine Kroyan - Prose Writer, Translator, Candidate of Economics
Zhivair Shahriyan - Composer
Khoren Gasparyan - Writer, Translator
Aram Khachatryan - Lawyer
Vachagan A. Sargsyan - Writer, Translator, Teacher, Editor of “9th Miracle” Newspaper
Diana Hambardzumyan - Writer, Doctor of Sciences, Professor
Samvel Haroyan - Cultural Figure, Founder-Director of the “Nairi” Pan-Armenian Festival
Tatul Petrosyan - Major General of Justice
Gagik Sargsyan - Orientalist, Director of the Center for Iranian Studies
Samvel Tadevosyan - Director, Author of the “Trench Moments” Film Series on the Artsakh War
Gohar Sarapionyan - Journalist, International News Commentator at H2 TV
Mels Zakaryan - Honored Teacher
Georg Balayan - Architect, USA
Ashot Mirzoyan - Poet, Publicist
Irina Aramyan - Poet
Karine Stepanyan - Honored Teacher of the Republic of Armenia.