Breaking
U.S. Government Announces $20,600,000 Support to Armenia
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
Lemkin Institute Issues Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of the Artsakh Genocide
- Stands for the rights of persons displaced by
genocidal processes. - Renews its call for international accountability for atrocity crimes, the immediate release of all Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan, and the protection of the political, cultural, and human rights of the Armenian people.
HART Releases Statement on Solemn Remembrance: One Year Since the Ethnic Cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh
“We remember Azerbaijan’s inhumane blockade of the mountain road, which lasted for nine months, and which prevented trucks from delivering essential supplies. We remember the reports of empty shelves and residents fainting in the street from hunger. We remember Azerbaijan’s encirclement of military forces, which struck fear and dread into the population. We remember Azerbaijan’s final military offensive, on 19 September 2023, which led to the exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians.
We also remember that, at no point, were these serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law prevented, punished or adequately addressed. One year on, our message remains: failure to act gives Azerbaijan the green light to continue its violations with impunity,” the statement reads.
Former Artsakh HRDs Want ICC to Investigate Azerbaijan for “Crimes Against Humanity”
Former Artsakh Republic Human Rights Defenders Gegham Stepanyan and Artak Beglaryan have sent a fifty-seven-page document to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bolster their claim that Azerbaijan committed “crimes against humanity” when it attacked Artsakh in September 2023 and forcibly displaced the indigenous Armenian population.
MEP Nathalie Loiseau: COP29 Participants Must Morally Demand the Release of Armenian Captives in Azerbaijan
“Azerbaijan continues to hold the prisoners from the past conflict, and they too don’t have the chance to return home. The spiritual and cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh is threatened, and numerous monuments have been destroyed. Azerbaijan has not signed a peace treaty with Armenia and is going to host COP29 in a few weeks. All those who are going to visit Baku must consider it their moral duty to call for ensuring the return to Nagorno-Karabakh and the release of captives,” Loiseau stated at the European Parliament session.
‘I Stand with the Armenian People’: U.S. Congressman Sherman Meets Women Survivors of Azerbaijan’s Brutality
On September 19th, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Congressional Armenia Caucus, met with Armenian women who were deeply impacted by Azerbaijan’s brutality in his Washington office.
“Honored to meet such brave Armenian women who were deeply impacted by Azerbaijan’s brutality,” said Congressman Sherman. “I will forever be haunted by their stories of loved ones killed by Azerbaijan’s airstrikes and tortured, raped and murdered by Azerbaijan’s forces.”
Sherman concluded: “I stand with the Armenian people.”
Global Silence Fuels Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno- Karabakh, Warns MEP Miriam Lexmann
Member of the European Parliament Miriam Lexmann stated that ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh was made possible due to the world’s shameful silence.
“It’s one year since the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh, enabled by our shameful silence. We can’t forget this tragedy and must continue to insist on accountability for the perpetrators, support for the victims, and protection of Armenian cultural and religious heritage in NK,” stated Lexmann.
Senator Gary Peters Denounces Azerbaijan’s Aggression One Year After Brutal Attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, Displacing Over 100,000 Armenians
“One year ago, Azerbaijan unjustly attacked Nagorno-Karabakh and displaced over 100,000 ethnic Armenians,” stated Peters.
Destruction of Armenian heritage in Nagorno- Karabakh
Azerbaijan appears to have embarked on a campaign targeting traces of ethnic Armenian presence since its ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh: The Refugees ‘Abandoned’ by the World in Europe’s ‘Forgotten’ Conflict
As bombs fell near the city she called home on the edge of Europe, Hasmik Arzanyan ran back to her fourth-floor home one last time.
“It’s impossible to explain with words what it was like. The look on people’s faces, the crying, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget it.”
“Everyone was in chaos, children were still in school, and parents had lost their minds and didn’t know what to do. Some were crying, some were screaming, and one had turned pale and wouldn’t move. There was absolute chaos all around.”
A Year since Fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh, many Armenians still Feel Lost
One year ago, Azerbaijani forces swept into the Nagorno- Karabakh region and took over the long-contested area. The attack followed a monthslong blockade. Now, there are no Armenians left in the region and those who fled fear they will never see home again.
From Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia: One Family’s Journey to Integration
One year after Azerbaijan’s military incursion into Nagorno- Karabakh, thousands of families are still struggling to rebuild their lives. This is the story of the journey of one family who eventually found support after fleeing their home.
In Pictures
On the anniversary of Azerbaijan’s genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, Global ARM has gathered some of the most tragic and impactful photos from the events of September 2023.
Security
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a trilateral meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov today in New York during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. Secretary Blinken commended both ministers on the progress Armenia and Azerbaijan have made toward a durable and dignified peace and encouraged continued progress by both countries to finalize an agreement as soon as possible. The Secretary underscored that a peace agreement would bring increased stability and prosperity to the region.
Armenian FM Boycotts CSTO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Blinken: US Steadfast in its Support of Armenian People’s Democratic Aspirations, Sovereignty, Independence and Territorial Integrity
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent congratulations and warm wishes to the people of Armenia on Independence Day.
“As the first country to recognize Armenia’s independence, the United States is proud to continue to stand by Armenia as it becomes a thriving member in our community of democracies,” Blinken said in his message.
Armenian Minister of Justice Holds Meeting with Eurojust President
Senior U.S. Official Visits Armenia
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Armenia’s Special Representative for the normalization with Turkiye has held a meeting with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southern Europe and the Caucasus, Joshua Huck, U.S. Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono and senior coordinator for Armenia and Azerbaijan affairs Christine Prince.
Harris Backs Safe Return Of Karabakh Armenians
US Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris sent a letter to the Armenian-American community on the 33rd anniversary of Armenian Independence Day.
In her letter, the Democratic candidate mentioned the Armenian Genocide and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe return of displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to restore dignity to the Armenian people and bring stability to the region.
German Ambassador Visits EUMA in Ijevan
Claudia Busch, the Ambassador of Germany to Armenia, led a delegation from the German Parliament and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) foundation to Ijevan, where they met with members of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA).”
Armenian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Discuss Security Situation in the South Caucasus
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Malta’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Bundestag’s Michael Roth: EU must Finally do More for Armenia and South Caucasus
Economy
Aurora to Participate in Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York City
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will attend the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting in New York City on September 24, 2024. The Clinton Global Initiative brings together business, government and civil society leaders to drive progress on a number of issues including climate resilience, inclusive economic growth and recovery, health equity, the full participation of women and girls, and humanitarian response efforts to crises around the globe.
Armenia Plans New Nuclear Power Plant Before Current Facility’s Term Expires, Says Minister
Opinion
Russia Seeks a Knockout Blow in the Caucasus. Where Is America?
By Michael Rubin
Each of the region’s three countries—Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia—have sought freedom and democracy. In each case, however, the Kremlin has worked not only to undermine their aspirations, but to punish them as well.
Now in Full Control of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan Wants to Make it a ‘Green Silicon Valley’
By Zuza Nazaruk
Between 2021 and 2023, Azerbaijan assigned over $2.3 billion (€2.1 bn) to a programme providing infrastructure for the resettlement of about one million Azeris in Nagorno- Karabakh.
Armenians who Fled Nagorno-Karabakh still Yearn for Home
By Daniel Ofman
A year ago, Azerbaijan’s military took control of Nagorno- Karabakh. Some 100,000 Armenians fled the enclave, a region within Azerbaijan made up largely of Armenian residents. Many families who fled Nagorno-Karabakh are still struggling to adjust to life in their new home.
Bold Human Rights Advocacy at COP29 Can Change Biden’s Legacy
By Michael Rubin
Team Biden repeatedly says “diplomacy is back” and brags about creative solutions to complex problems. Perhaps T- shirts or wristbands with the faces of hostages could be one creative tactic to convince Azerbaijan that caviar diplomacy will never trump reality.
ICC: “A Preventive Measure, not a Transitional Justice Tool for Armenia”
By Franck Petit
Nearly a year ago, Armenia ratified the Rome Statute and became a State party to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This came just after the full invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh by neighbouring Azerbaijan, which led to the forced displacement of more than 100 000 ethnic Armenians.
What Happened to Nagorno-Karabakh and Why It Matters
By Davit Khachatryan
Azerbaijan’s actions in Nagorno-Karabakh have violated nearly every aspect of international law, and this cannot be ignored. I can only continue to shed light on these injustices.
I will keep writing about accountability, human rights, and the rule of law that must not be abandoned in the face of such violations, no matter how idealistic it may seem.
Azerbaijan: Victory hasn’t Dimmed Aliyev’s Ire for Peace Proponents
Opposition to war is akin to treason.
Regional observers see the muzzling of peace activists as part of a larger effort to ensure that dissidents don’t have a chance to dent Azerbaijan’s image by airing grievances during COP29.
