It’s a Critical Time, It’s a Matter of Being or Not Being: Araik Harutyunyan

The President of Artsakh, Araik Harutyunyan, has issued a message on the occasion of the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, addressing the situation and threats currently facing Artsakh.

“Dear compatriots, every year on April 24, we collectively remember and commemorate the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide, our 1.5 million holy martyrs who became victims of the Turkish massacre solely because they were Armenian.

This monstrous crime against humanity has no statute of limitations. As long as it is not recognized and condemned by the entire civilized world, we may witness new manifestations of genocide around the world.

Today, Artsakh is facing new and real dangers resulting from Turkish-Azerbaijani anti-Armenian and genocidal policies. Even 108 years after the Genocide, Armenians continue to fight for their right to live freely and independently in their homeland, to protect their rights and freedoms, and to uphold their national interests and dignity.

By keeping the 120,000 peaceful residents of Artsakh, including tens of thousands of children and elderly people, under a blockade for 134 days, violating all norms and principles of international law, and ignoring the appeals of the international community and the ruling of the International Court of Justice, the Azerbaijani authoritarian regime is attempting to bring our people to their knees. However, we are unwavering and determined to keep Artsakh always Armenian and inviolable. We have no alternative. Armenians cannot lose their homeland again, becoming refugees and scattered around the world. We must learn lessons from the past and collectively build the future of the Armenian people today and here.

The time is critical, it’s a matter of existence not only for Artsakh but for Armenian statehood as well. Today, more than ever, we must move from words to action. It’s a time of national responsibility, dignity, and demand—to stand alongside Artsakh and prevent new national tragedies and failures. Therefore, relying on the Motherland, the diaspora, and foreign friends, we urge all organizations and concerned individuals to use all possible means to support the struggling people of Artsakh for the sake of Armenian national interests and universal human values. God protect the Armenian nation,” stated Araik Harutyunyan in his message.