"Strong Armenia": It is impossible to build genuine peace without protecting the fundamental rights of the Armenians of Artsakh, including the right to return

ArmInfo.  At the same time, it is impossible to build a lasting, sustainable, and genuine peace without protecting the fundamental rights of the Armenians of Artsakh—the right to safe and possible collective return, property rights, cultural and spiritual heritage, and other fundamental rights. This is stated in the message of the Strong Armenia bloc on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Artsakh.

"On September 2, 1991, the people of Artsakh, based on existing legal foundations, including international law, exercised their right to self-determination." "The process of realizing this right has subsequently been repeatedly documented and assessed by international organizations and observers," the political party's message reads.

It is recalled that following the complete de-Armenization of Artsakh and ethnic cleansing, the forcibly displaced Armenians of Artsakh continue to face numerous social and economic problems. Strong Armenia believes this indicates serious problems in the effectiveness of state policy and social programs in Armenia.

"At the same time, the hate speech voiced and encouraged by the authorities is yet another manifestation of division and polarization in society. Our commitment must be clear: to ensure a safe, prosperous, and dignified life for our compatriots in the Republic of Armenia.

At the same time, it is impossible to build a lasting, sustainable, and genuine peace without protecting the fundamental rights of the Armenians of Artsakh—the right to safe and possible collective return, property rights, cultural and spiritual heritage, and other fundamental rights," Samvel Karapetyan's bloc added.

Strong Armenia also noted that today, the military-political leadership of Artsakh remains effectively held hostage in Baku prisons. "The return of all Armenian prisoners and illegally detained persons to their homeland should be a priority on the foreign policy agenda of the Armenian authorities. Unfortunately, today we are witnessing the opposite. Glory and honor to all the martyrs who fell for our homeland. "May God protect our people and the Armenian world," the political forces protested.

Exactly 35 years ago, on September 2, 1991, the Declaration on the Proclamation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was adopted at a joint session of the Nagorno-Karabakh Regional and Shahumyan District Councils of People's Deputies. The people of Artsakh, in the independence referendum of December 10, 1991, and the constitutional referendums of December 10, 2006, and February 20, 2017, expressed their determination to build and strengthen their statehood based on democratic norms. 99.89% of citizens (108,615 people) who took part in the referendum answered affirmatively to this question.