YEREVAN – A former Armenian human rights official marked the anniversary of Nagorno-Karabakh’s declaration of independence with a tribute at a national military cemetery, while sharply criticizing current government policies regarding the region.
In a social media post, the former official reflected on the historical significance of September 2, 1991, when the region then known as Artsakh proclaimed its independence. The statement characterized this act as a legitimate expression of democratic will rooted in historical claims.
The message contrasted this historical moment with current realities, noting that over thirty years later, the Armenian population has been entirely displaced from the region. The statement described this displacement as the result of what it termed systematic ethnic cleansing operations conducted between 2020 and 2023.
The former official accused Armenian authorities of failing to adequately condemn these actions and suggested that current government compliance with Azerbaijani demands stems from political self-interest rather than national welfare.
The statement further alleged that Baku continues to advance territorial claims against Armenia through what it described as fabricated historical narratives, including threats to Armenian religious and cultural heritage sites.
Despite the current absence of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, the message emphasized that the right to return and live with dignity in one’s homeland remains inviolable. The anniversary was framed not as a conclusion but as a continuing chapter in the struggle for historical justice and national rights.
