Breaking
Azerbaijan Already Occupies 200 Sq. Km of Armenia
In an interview with government-controlled media, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued reckless statements against Armenia, escalating his rhetoric with fresh military threats and accusations. Aliyev criticized the international community’s support for Armenia, which has been forging closer ties with the U.S., EU and other states. Aliyev said:
“Arming Armenia will only bring new tensions. We don’t want this,”
He went on to describe Armenia as a hostile entity, claiming:
“A fascist state has been formed in Armenia. That fascism will either be destroyed by Armenia’s leadership or by us. There is no other option.”
Aliyev further accused Armenia of being a destabilizing force in the region, targeting its geographic position:
“Armenia should not stand in our way. They should not act as a geographic barrier between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Armenia is effectively a source of threat to the region.”
OCCRP: Luxury London Properties Linked to Family of Azerbaijan’s President Hidden Behind Offshore Trust
The family and associates of Azerbaijani strongman Ilham Aliyev acquired U.K. real estate worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Are they still holding onto their property empire? Despite new transparency reforms, there’s no way for the public to know — because of the special treatment afforded to offshore trusts.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
Luis Moreno Ocampo Reiterates Azerbaijan’s 2023 Aggression as Genocide, Calls for Return of Armenians
At the 5th Global Forum Against Genocide, the former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno Ocampo emphasized the possibility of Armenians returning to Nagorno-Karabakh despite Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions in 2023. He called for continued efforts to secure their rights, highlighted the need to address hostages held in Azerbaijan, and underscored Armenia’s fight for justice and remembrance.
“All developments that took place in Nagorno-Karabakh contain all methods and types of genocide… These are all indications of genocide. And that was genocide.” – Luis Moreno Ocampo.
Swedish Lawmaker Warns that Narrative of So-Called Western Azerbaijan Could Be Used as Pretext for War
The 5th Global Forum Against Genocide Highlights Genocide Prevention, Accountability, and Risk Factors
The 5th Global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide” in Yerevan brought together experts to discuss genocide prevention, with a focus on current global risks. Key speakers, including Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, former ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, and UN officials, emphasized the importance of international law, the recognition of past genocides, and the necessity of holding perpetrators accountable to prevent future atrocities. The forum also addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Nagorno- Karabakh and the urgent need for justice and remembrance.
Melanie O’Brien, President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars: “We are talking about the lack of food, medical care, and medication. These are fundamental characteristics of genocide. This is a crime of creating conditions for physical destruction. We saw some residents of Nagorno-Karabakh die of starvation.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “In a world plagued by division, distrust, and violence, the dark spectre of genocide remains with us. We must do everything possible to identify early warning signs and raise the alarm. The best way to honour the memory of genocide victims and survivors is to intensify efforts to prevent this horrific crime.”
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
‘She Had No Health Problems’: Son Recalls Final Conversation with Mother Who Died in Stepanakert”
Vera Aghasyan, a 70-year-old Armenian woman, became the first Armenian reported to have died in Stepanakert after the exodus. Azerbaijani authorities falsely attributed her death to cardiac arrest.
Vera’s family appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to transfer her body to Armenia for burial. However, after a month of waiting, there has been no progress in negotiations with Azerbaijani authorities. The ICRC confirmed their readiness to facilitate the transfer but noted the decision rests with both parties.
Vera’s son, Arsen Aghasyan, expressed frustration with misinformation in the media and clarified that they rely on dialogue and the ICRC for resolution.
“We hope Azerbaijan complies so we can finally bring my mother home. Until then, we wait patiently.” – Arsen Aghasyan
French Ambassador: Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh Celebrate Christmas Away from Home Again
Photo of the Week
Participants of the 5th Global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide” visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial.
Photo Courtesy of Armenpress.
Security
Administrator Samantha Power Highlights U.S.-Armenia Partnership and Democratic Progress in Armenia
Administrator Samantha Power delivered her remarks at the Embassy of Armenia, Washington, DC, where she highlighted U.S. support for Armenia, stating:
“The United States has answered the call. Diplomatic convenings like the trilateral meeting that I and Secretary Blinken, President von der Leyen held in Brussels in April of this year, show the depth of the Biden Administration’s commitment to showing up for Armenia. We’ve increased our funding to Armenia by 75 per cent since the Velvet Revolution. USAID has played an important role, mainly catalytic, but also trying to be responsive to needs as they arise.”
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia: I Look Forward to Continuing to Develop our Countries’ Relationship in 2025
Can the US work with Russia in Nagorno-Karabakh?
By Artin DerSimonian
With Moscow distracted in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation is dire as Azerbaijan has blocked a key corridor to Armenia.
Justice and Legal Reforms
Armenian Minister of Justice and US Ambassador Express Commitment to Jointly Implement New Reforms
Economy
Armenian Minister of Infrastructure, US Ambassador Discuss Launch of Direct Flights to the US
Opinion
Legal Battles Over Nagorno-Karabakh: A Review of the Jurisprudence to Date
By Gurgen Petrossian
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the broader issue of accountability remains challenging. With both countries having complex and opposing narratives, the international community’s role is pivotal in ensuring that any legal outcomes lead to long-term peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Nagorno-Karabakh: the Story of the Country that Ceased to Exist
Ashes of Our Fathers, Gabriel Gavin’s account of the poisonous Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, is a reminder that the international community always betrays civilians.
After COP 29: What’s Fueling Aliyev’s Rage?
By Tatevik Hayrapetyan
Throughout COP29—before, during and after— Azerbaijan’s regime maintained its anti-Western rhetoric while accusing Armenia of collaboration with the West. The relentless war propaganda and unfounded accusations against Armenia and EU member states suggest that Aliyev is testing limits, potentially laying the groundwork for another provocation or military operation.
Politico: How Charles Michel Waded into a Minefield in Nagorno-Karabakh
By Gabriel Gavin
Already having been let down by Russia, the murderous, disinterested state that had once claimed to be their ally, other Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians began wondering whether they had been truly left to fend for themselves.
The ICJ’s Response to Azerbaijan’s Strategic Use of CERD Proceedings Against Armenia
By Davit Khachatryan
Azerbaijan’s efforts in what can aptly be termed “lawfare”—strategically assembling legal claims to exploit international legal frameworks for leverage— have met a significant roadblock with this ICJ judgment.
By echoing Armenia’s approach under CERD, Azerbaijan attempted to mirror its adversary’s legal maneuvers, aiming to weaponize the Convention. However, the ICJ’s judgment decisively undercuts these attempts, reaffirming the Court’s adherence to the strict applicability of CERD and rejecting efforts to stretch its provisions beyond their intended scope.
Nagorno-Karabakh has Fallen: Russia’s Silent Role
Russia’s unwillingness to do more to protect the people of Nagorno-Karabakh leads one to consider how it could have benefited from the small Armenian enclaves’ demise, and why it turned a blind eye.
