100,000+ Armenians Forced to Flee Artsakh Due to Russian Peacekeepers’ Inaction: Pashinyan at EP

In a speech delivered before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed deep regret over the failure of the international community to prevent the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan. Pashinyan's speech shed light on the dire situation in the region, stating that over 100,000 Armenians were forced to flee their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh within a single week, amidst the inaction of Russian peacekeepers and the indifference of global powers.

Pashinyan lamented the lack of effective action despite numerous warnings, international rulings, and resolutions passed by bodies such as the International Court of Justice, the European Parliament, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He highlighted the blatant disregard for these warnings, resulting in the mass exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. The Prime Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan's intentions to make life impossible for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh were crystal clear, leading to the tragic displacement of thousands of families.

Armenia's leader criticized the international community's surprise at the depopulation of Nagorno-Karabakh in September, asserting that his country had consistently warned about Azerbaijan’s intentions since December 2022. He expressed his disappointment at the lack of support from Armenia's security allies during the crisis, revealing that instead of assistance, calls for a coup against his democratically elected government were made. Pashinyan condemned these actions as attacks on Armenia’s sovereignty and democracy, orchestrated through foreign aggression and hybrid technologies.

The Armenian Prime Minister thanked the European Parliament for acknowledging the dire situation faced by the forcibly displaced Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. He called for future efforts to protect the rights of these individuals and ensure their safety, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.

Pashinyan’s speech is drawing attention to the urgent need for a comprehensive and effective response from the international community to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Armenia. The fate of the displaced Armenians from Artsakh remains uncertain, as they continue to seek refuge and stability in the wake of the conflict. The world watches, hoping for a swift resolution and a secure future for the people who were forced out of their indigenous homeland.