A Joint Statement Was Adopted at the Rally of the Initiative for Ensuring the Needs of the Artsakh People

The Initiative for Ensuring the Needs of the Artsakh People, of which the Artsakh Union is one of the active members, organized a mass rally on March 20 at the Yerevan's Freedom Square with the agenda of protecting the rights and ensuring the needs of the Artsakh people. A joint statement was adopted at the rally, which, in particular, states:

"Strongly condemning the genocidal policy of the dictatorial regime of Azerbaijan, as a result of which, in 2020-2023, the indigenous Armenian people of Artsakh have been subjected to complete and forced displacement and deportation;

Underlining that this genocide took place in the conditions of absolute failure and inaction of the responsibility of the international community to prevent genocides and protect peoples;

Highlighting that due to the existential dangers caused by the same genocidal policy and the lack of proper application of international protection mechanisms, the people of Artsakh are still not able to return to their homeland- the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), which, based on the realization of the right to self-determination, has been established in territories that do not belong to Azerbaijan;

Emphasizing that the people of Artsakh have the will to collectively return and live in safe, dignified and sovereign conditions in Artsakh;

Highly appreciating the comprehensive support shown by our compatriots in Armenia and Diaspora and noting the importance of the programs approved by the Armenian Government, despite the continuous presence of many problems and needs so far;

Examining the official statements regarding the main principles of housing and other programs discussed by the Armenian Government for people forcibly displaced from Artsakh;

Taking into account that the Republic of Armenia has assumed political, legal, security and socio-economic responsibility towards the people of Artsakh through various internal and interstate acts and official statements for decades, and that responsibility has been recognized in various formats by the international community;

Based on the fact that Armenia is obliged to provide accommodation to forcibly displaced persons (including refugees) until the final settlement of the issue;

Emphasizing the resolution of social issues among our needy compatriots in Armenia, while also highlighting the importance of understanding the needs and status of the people of Artsakh. This includes recognizing the causes, identifying sources of funding to meet those needs and understanding the specifics of the obligations undertaken by the Republic of Armenia;

Reflecting the issues and recommendations raised as a result of the discussions with the broad circles of the people of Artsakh and the state bodies of the Republic of Artsakh:

We, the participants of the rally organized on March 20, 2024, by the Initiative for Ensuring the needs of the Artsakh People, fix our positions and proposals regarding the protection of the collective rights and addressing the urgent needs of the Artsakh people:

1.     We demand from the Republic of Armenia and all members of the international community to provide effective international protection mechanisms for the realization of the collective right of return of the Artsakh people and ensuring life in safe, dignified and sovereign conditions in the historical Motherland.

2.     In accordance with the orders of December 7, 2021 and November 17, 2023 of the UN International Court of Justice and a number of other international documents, we demand to guarantee the protection of our spiritual and cultural heritage, public and private property in Artsakh from Azerbaijani occupation interventions.

3.     We call on the Armenian Government to refrain from the intentions and actions of abandoning the interstate complaints presented against Azerbaijan in international courts, in order not to further undermine the visible prospects of protecting the collective and individual rights of the people of Artsakh and ensuring international justice.

4.     Take active and practical steps to attract appropriate funds from the international community and the Diaspora to solve the intermediate humanitarian problems of the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh, before ensuring collective return.

5.     Ensure that all humanitarian programs, on the one hand, will meet the needs of the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh, and, on the other hand, will contribute to preventing their emigration, ensuring unity and preserving identity, serving the efforts to achieve the vision of collective return.

6.     Provide conditions in the Republic of Armenia for the preservation of the collective identity and protection of the rights of the Artsakh people, accordingly, implementing the upcoming housing program in accordance with the principle of preservation of Artsakh communities.

7.     Prioritize the rapid formation of social and affordable housing stock in the program for providing housing needs, ensuring large-scale state support for construction works in a short period of time.

8.     To purchase an apartment from the secondary market, set a realistic amount of money based on current market prices and expected trends.

9.     Provide assistance as needed, without the requirement of reimbursement, taking into account the great losses and the dire social situation of the Artsakh people.

10.  Implement the program without discrimination and coercion, regardless of the citizenship and registration of forcibly displaced persons, in accordance with Armenian legislation and the principles of international humanitarian law.

11.  Continue the existing program of financial support for rent and utility costs without reductions, until the given family is provided with an apartment, including also the 2020 displaced persons in the program.

12.  Set priorities and additional benefits for the dead and missing, persons with first-group disabilities and families with many children.

13.  The program should also envisage systemic solutions for ensuring the sustainable employment of the people forcibly displaced from Artsakh and the population of host communities of Armenia.

14.  The project, in the manner provided by RA legislation and law enforcement practice, should be submitted to wide and thorough public discussion and should take into account the concerns and suggestions of the Initiative and the state bodies of the Artsakh Republic. Public discussions should be aimed at ensuring inclusiveness, fairness and efficiency of the program.

15.  We expect that the Armenia’s authorities will start inclusive and effective discussions within a two-week period and will express a clear position on the above-mentioned issues so that it is possible to carry out more detailed discussions on what to do next. We will be consistent in protecting the collective rights of the Artsakh people and meeting their needs, using all legal means in that way and refraining from any steps that harm the Armenian nation and the Republic of Armenia.”