Only 20 Armenians Remain in Nagorno-Karabakh Following Mass Exodus and Azerbaijani Occupation

Photo Credit: David Ghahramanyan

In a panel discussion at the American University of Armenia, Artsakh Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Gegham Stepanyan disclosed distressing statistics regarding the aftermath of the Azerbaijani military aggression and occupation of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) in September 2023.

During the aggression, a total of 223 individuals from Nagorno-Karabakh tragically lost their lives. Among the casualties were 21 civilians, including six children. Additionally, another 238 individuals perished due to an explosion at a fuel depot near the Artsakh capital, Stepanakert. Stepanyan emphasized that these casualties, though not directly linked to the aggression, were nonetheless a consequence of the chaotic situation.

Moreover, the fate of 21 individuals following the military operations and 20 individuals affected by the explosion remains unknown. Stepanyan criticized Azerbaijan for obstructing search operations at the explosion site, a violation of agreements, which Armenia has failed to address adequately in negotiations.

The ombudsman highlighted four crucial areas of concern: the social and humanitarian issues facing forcibl displaced persons, efforts towards repatriation, the plight of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan, and the preservation of Nagorno-Karabakh's cultural and historical heritage.

Of particular concern is the significant exodus of Artsakh residents to Armenia following the aggression. Despite official reports stating that 102,000 Artsakh residents relocated to Armenia, Stepanyan clarified that this figure represents a large portion of the population. He lamented the neglect of the rights of those fleeing from various Artsakh settlements, such as Hadrut and Shushi.

Currently, only 20 Armenians remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, facing significant challenges. They are subjected to monitoring by Azerbaijani occupation forces and require permission to move within Stepanakert. Stepanyan emphasized the plight of these individuals as indicative of the conditions that forced many to abandon their homeland.

Addressing the issue of citizenship, Stepanyan noted that many displaced Artsakh residents are hesitant to obtain Armenian citizenship due to concerns about returning to their homeland in the future. He expressed worry about the lack of employment opportunities for Artsakh residents in Armenia, which may lead to further outmigration.

To address these pressing issues, Stepanyan proposed holding a donors' conference to provide much-needed support to the people of Artsakh. He stressed the importance of preserving the cultural identity of the region and criticized Azerbaijan for politicizing efforts to safeguard cultural heritage.

In conclusion, Stepanyan highlighted that the preservation of identity in Artsakh is not about separatism but about safeguarding cultural heritage. He emphasized the urgent need for international collaboration to monitor and protect the region's cultural heritage, particularly in light of Azerbaijan's reluctance to cooperate.