Gagik Bagunts: The right of the people of Artsakh to return collectively and safely is not subject to discussion

ArmInfo.  The right of the people of Artsakh to collective and safe return is not subject to discussion. This is stated in a statement by Acting Chairman of the National Assembly  of the Republic of Artsakh Gagik Bagunts on the occasion of the third anniversary of Azerbaijan’s military aggression and the forced displacement of the population of Artsakh.

The statement notes that three years ago, on September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan, violating all norms of international law and the obligations undertaken within the framework of the 2020 Trilateral Statement, unleashed large-scale military aggression against the Republic of Artsakh, exhausted by more than nine months of blockade.

"This war crime, accompanied by shelling of civilian infrastructure and the killing of civilians, became the culmination of a planned policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Artsakh’s centuries-old indigenous population. In the absence of silence from the international community and effective mechanisms, more than 120,000 residents of Artsakh were forced to leave their historic homeland, fleeing physical extermination. On this tragic day, we pay tribute to the blessed memory of all the martyrs who gave their lives in defense of the Homeland. Their feat and self-sacrifice are an eternal testament to the honor and dignity of our people.  The past three years could not and must not diminish our natural rights and our commitment to defending them," the statement notes.

It also contains confirmation that the right of the people of Artsakh to collective and safe return is not subject to discussion. It must be realized under conditions of reliable international guarantees and full protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Armenian people.

"The immediate release of the military-political leadership of Artsakh and all our compatriots held in Baku prisons on fabricated charges must become one of the priorities of the international community.  The destruction and appropriation of Armenian historical and cultural heritage in occupied Artsakh is a continuation of cultural genocide, requiring immediate intervention and prevention by the international community. Meeting the vital needs of the Armenians of Artsakh who have found refuge in the Republic of Armenia is a top priority. In this direction, continuous and targeted support from the international community is of utmost importance for strengthening the social stability of the displaced population and overcoming humanitarian problems. Despite the complex geopolitical situation that has developed today, and the bitterness of forced displacement, the unity of the people of Artsakh, the preservation of its identity and the continuity of the struggle have no alternative. We are obliged to unite the potential of all Armenians to protect the legitimate rights of the people of Artsakh and achieve the restoration of historical justice.  Eternal glory to our martyrs," the statement says.