Armenians of Artsakh at Risk of Genocide, Dutch Scholar Warns

Renowned scholar and genocide expert Dirk Rodzants has published an editorial in one of the most respected Dutch newspapers, where he addresses the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, drawing connections to the genocide against Armenians in 1915 and the Soviet Union's famine inflicted on Ukrainians during Stalin’s regime in 1932-1933.

Rodzants writes that these examples are closely linked to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh-Artsakh, which aligns with the genocide convention articulated by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin: ordinary citizens are being targeted with the sole aim of their destruction or expulsion.

He emphasizes that, "Authoritarian President Aliyev is not actually facing any pressure, including from Prime Minister Rutte and many other European leaders who prioritize gas supply over human rights." Rodzants believes that all politicians who are exceptionally principled on the Ukraine issue must recognize the prevailing situation.

"It has long been time for the Netherlands and the remaining countries of the West to actively support the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh-Artsakh, emulating organizations such as Amnesty International and The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, which condemn the blockade and see President Aliyev's plans... If we want to defend our norms and values in Ukraine, we must also pay attention to the fate of the Armenians in the enclave. Awareness exists; the question remains of conscience," the article states.