WATCH: Even Azerbaijanis Are Surprised by How the Issue of Artsakh Return is Being Removed from Armenia’s Agenda

Armenians from Artsakh organized a protest in front of the UN office in Armenia to demand the implementation of decisions made by the International Court of Justice on December 7, 2021, and November 17, 2023.

Participant Armina Avagimyan stated that Azerbaijan is systematically erasing the Armenian presence in Artsakh hour by hour—destroying historical and cultural monuments, graves, churches, and both movable and immovable property. “We know that there are judgments from the UN International Court of Justice. We demand that the UN exert pressure on Azerbaijan to preserve the private property and spiritual-cultural heritage of Armenians in Artsakh until their return,” she said.

Avagimyan does not consider the actions of the Armenian authorities adequate in ensuring the return of Armenians to Artsakh. “As a part of civil society, we continuously observe attempts to remove the issue of Artsakh and the return of its people from the agenda. Just because we left our homeland for existential and physical security, due to the genocidal threats hanging over our children, it does not mean that we will tolerate and adapt. Naturally, we will not. That is why society is self-organizing, and through such protests, we will try to apply pressure, so that the UN utilizes its existing instruments to exert pressure on Azerbaijan and consider the rights of the people of Artsakh,” she emphasized.

She noted that even in Azerbaijan, there are people surprised by how the issues concerning the rights of Armenians are being removed from the agenda and easily surrendered.

It should be noted that on December 7, 2021, the International Court of Justice issued a decision regarding the “Armenia v. Azerbaijan” case under the context of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The ruling mandated Azerbaijan to take all necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and desecration against Armenian cultural heritage, including churches and other worship places, monuments, sites of interest, cemeteries, and artifacts.

On November 17, 2023, the court issued a new ruling stating that Azerbaijan must ensure the unrestricted and safe entry or exit of individuals who left Nagorno-Karabakh following the events of September 19. Azerbaijan is also obligated to provide for the safe return of those wishing to come back, as well as ensure their ability to live securely in their communities without threats. The international court has also obligated Azerbaijan to preserve the documents confirming the property rights of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and to avoid their destruction.