Demand of Representatives of Displaced Armenian Population from Artsakh to Aliyev

Representatives of the forcibly displaced Armenian population from Artsakh have issued a statement noting that, as a result of the 2020 44-day war and the forced displacements carried out by Azerbaijan, tens of thousands of Armenians from the regions of Hadrut, Shushi, Askeran, Martuni, and Martakert are currently deprived of their right to live in their homeland.

The statement reads: “Even in the 1990s, tens of thousands of Armenians from the Shahumyan region and the Getashen sub-region were forcibly displaced by Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, according to the 7th point of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, the leaders of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation committed to ensuring the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to Artsakh and surrounding areas under the supervision of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which has yet to take place.”

“Considering the necessity of restoring the rights of the forcibly displaced population from Artsakh, as well as Azerbaijan’s obligations undertaken in the 7th point of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, we demand from the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to recognize the urgent imperative of restoring the violated rights of Armenian refugees and ensure their safe and dignified return to their historical lands and former residences, in accordance with his obligations, human rights, and humanitarian law.”

“We call on the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, as a signatory of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, to demonstrate a consistent approach in exercising all international legal and political mechanisms aimed at ensuring the fulfillment of the international obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan. At the same time, we request the creation of additional mechanisms for more effective protection of refugees’ rights and interests, as well as for voicing and promoting their legal claims.”

“We urge the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to ensure the implementation of the requirements of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, using all possible political leverage, taking into account his role as the leader of the state that signed the statement and thus guarantees its implementation.”

“We appeal to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, to organize, oversee, and ensure the return of the displaced Armenian population from areas under Azerbaijani control, as well as to establish international effective and applicable guarantees for the safety of returning individuals, including support for the deployment of peacekeeping forces.”

“At the same time, we draw the attention of the High Commissioner to the fact that the Azerbaijani authorities are currently implementing programs for the illegal resettlement of Azerbaijanis in our settlements, obstructing our return and unlawfully seizing property belonging to us.”

This letter is presented as a representation of organizations created by refugees and forcibly displaced individuals due to the 44-day war in Artsakh in 2020 and the first Nagorno-Karabakh war, advocating for their rights and interests.

“Union of Artsakh Refugees” NGO - Saro Saryan
“Motherhood” NGO - Hasmik Mikaelyan
“Kachar Scientific Center” NGO - Mher Harutyunyan
“Center for Support and Development of Women and Children” NGO - Inessa Asryan
“Union of Refugees for Justice” NGO - Anzhela Tamrazyan
“Association of Refugee Women” NGO - Rouzanna Avagyan
“Our Home” NGO - Anahit Tovmasyan
“Hadrut Deoccupation” NGO - Meri Davtyan
“Hadrut Children’s Creative Center” NGO - Ira Tamrazyan.