NGOs Urge Artsakh Foreign Ministry Not to Misrepresent Their Rights and to Refrain from Adventurous Initiatives

A number of NGOs have issued a statement: “We, the leaders of organizations protecting the rights of forcibly displaced residents from the Republic of Artsakh due to the war in 2020 and the occupation of our territories, declare the following:

On March 20, media outlets spread a statement in which displaced residents of Artsakh addressed Azerbaijani President Aliyev, asking him to ensure their safe and dignified return to their historic homeland. We would like to clarify that the organizations established by forcibly displaced persons, which represent their interests and engage in protecting their rights, and which have been dealing with these issues for 2.5 years, have not authorized the NGOs that signed the aforementioned statement to speak on behalf of the displaced residents from the Hadrut region, Shushi, Kashatagh, and Karvachar, let alone to address the adversarial leader of Azerbaijan on their behalf.

Our clear position is: forcibly displaced residents are fighting to return to their original settlements; however, they will never appeal to dictator Aliyev and the president of Russia, who is accused of war crimes and subject to arrest by the Hague Court.

We will continue to fight for all our rights, but strictly within the framework of clearly defined international mechanisms, which are based on the right of the population of the Republic of Artsakh to self-determination and all guarantees arising therefrom.

We strongly condemn the incompetent position of our partners in Artsakh and their alleged right to make decisions on behalf of others.

We demand the retraction of the said statement or its dissemination as a personal decision and viewpoint, refraining from acting on behalf of NGOs that protect the interests of forcibly displaced residents.

We call on the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh not to misrepresent our rights and to refrain from similarly dangerous and adventurous initiatives that cause irreparable harm to our country and create additional threats to our compatriots who are under blockade.”