“It Is Important for the People of Artsakh to Feel That We Are Not Alone”: Vardanyan's Speech at Columbia University Webinar

Ruben Vardanyan, the state minister of the Republic of Artsakh, participated in an online webinar organized by the Institute for Peacebuilding and Human Rights at Columbia University. The discussion was titled “Preventing the Armenian Genocide: Azerbaijan Closes the Lachin Corridor, Denying Artsakh Vital Conditions in a Bid to Ethnically Cleanse It.”

The event, held on the evening of February 1, featured speakers including Van Grigoryan, co-chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America, and Chris Van Hollen, a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The discussion was moderated by David Phillips, director of the Program on Peacebuilding and Human Rights.

Opening the discussion, David Phillips emphasized the aim of shedding light on the grave situation created by the blockade: “Azerbaijan has closed the Lachin Corridor, which connects Artsakh to Armenia. The blockade is a severe violation of the ceasefire conditions and international humanitarian law. Azerbaijan is obstructing access to essential goods and services, including food, fuel, and medicine for 120,000 Armenians. These actions essentially lead to a second Armenian genocide. That is how we have titled today’s discussion.”

Senator Chris Van Hollen noted that we are witnessing another episode of Azerbaijan's aggressive policy towards Nagorno-Karabakh. “For more than 50 days, Azerbaijan has kept the people of Artsakh under blockade, depriving them of food, medicine, and other daily necessities. Among those trapped are 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly, and 9,000 individuals with disabilities. We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis deepening by the day. We cannot remain silent about these malicious actions,” he stated.

Welcoming the initiative, Ruben Vardanyan expressed gratitude for organizing the event and supporting Artsakh. He emphasized the importance of keeping Artsakh in the global community's focus: “We are grateful to everyone who has supported us during these days. I want to say that it is very important for all of us in Artsakh to feel that we are not alone.”

The state minister remarked that the issue is not only about the conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan; it concerns our right to live in our homeland. “We have stated that we are ready for negotiations, ready for discussions, ready for peace, but that must be respected by all sides. We can live side by side, but never within the same state, which is absolutely unacceptable to President Aliyev, who openly declares that he prefers Artsakh without Armenians if they do not wish to live under Azerbaijani laws. This is a serious challenge to the right of nations to self-determination and other democratic principles,” Vardanyan said.

International actors must express a clear position at the state level. This is not only a legal issue but a gross violation of human rights, which is unacceptable by any standards. Therefore, it is crucial to exert pressure on Azerbaijan to show that this behavior is unacceptable. It is also very important to consider potential sanctions against those parties and individuals who violate rights, as they disrupt the normal conditions of life for people. I believe that raising the issue of air corridor access for humanitarian aid to Artsakh is vital and necessary in order not to depend solely on the route,” he added.

Grigoryan highlighted that statements from Azerbaijani officials demonstrate that Azerbaijan seeks to expel the people of Armenia and Artsakh from their homeland. “These so-called ‘eco-activists’ are not eco-activists; they are members of intelligence services and are connected in various ways to Aliyev's clan; they hold official authorities.” He noted that the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey are preparing their nations for a new war. “Artsakh has the right to self-defense, and I hope that the USA and other countries will support it in this matter,” he concluded.