Ombudsman of Culture: Fraternal cemetery in occupied Stepanakert   desecrated just before the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the  Great Patriotic War

ArmInfo.  The fraternal cemetery in Stepanakert, which was occupied by Azerbaijan,  has been subjected to vandalism precisely on the eve of  events commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, as noted in a statement by the Ombudsman of Culture of the Armenian Highlands, posted on Facebook.  The Ombudsman highlighted that this cemetery holds great historical significance as a symbol of the Armenian  people's contribution to the fight against fascism, with individuals  from Armenia and the Diaspora playing crucial roles.

In this regard, it is noted that the vandalism carried out by  Azerbaijan at this fraternal cemetery is a blatant violation of  international law and humanitarian norms, dealing a serious blow not  only to the memory of the victims, but also to the protection of  world cultural heritage.  At the same time, it is emphasized that the  silence and inaction of the international community, including  organizations involved in the protection of human rights and cultural  heritage, create a dangerous atmosphere of impunity, which in turn  contributes to the continuation of such crimes.

The statement also raised concerns about the awarding of the leaders  of the artificially created country at various international venues,  indicating that fascism still persists in several countries, and its  consequences remain insurmountable in the 21st century and are  long-lasting.  The Ombudsman's statement called for immediate, public  and unequivocal condemnation from the international community and  relevant organizations, as well as the application of sanctions and  legal measures against Azerbaijan. Additionally, it urged for  intensified efforts to protect the memory of the victims and the  Armenian cultural heritage.