Forcibly Displaced Armenians from Artsakh Hold Rally in Yerevan: Calls for Collective Return and International Protection

A rally in Yerevan’s Freedom Square was held today as forcibly displaced residents of Artsakh gathered to voice their demands and aspirations for a secure and dignified return to their homeland. Organized by concerned citizens, including former State Minister of Artsakh, Artak Beglaryan, the rally aimed to draw attention to the pressing needs of the displaced population and urge the Armenian authorities and the international community to prioritize their cause.

Artak Beglaryan spoke about the urgency of including the issue of collective return in the ongoing negotiations. He emphasized the need for international observers, mandated by the United Nations, to be stationed in Artsakh to oversee the return process and ensure the safety and sovereignty of the residents.

Photo Credit: Narek Aleksanyan | Hetq.am

"Our primary goal is the collective return to our homeland and the restoration of a safe, dignified, and sovereign life there," stated Beglaryan. He outlined the conditions necessary for the return, stressing the rejection of any direct Azerbaijani rule, citing it as genocidal. Instead, he advocated for robust international protection mechanisms, including peacekeepers authorized by the UN Security Council, to guarantee the security and rights of the returning population.

The displaced Artsakh residents, while acknowledging social problems and housing concerns, reiterated that their foremost priority remains the return to their homeland. Many of them left behind the graves of their loved ones and lost their properties during the Azerbaijani occupation. They expressed dissatisfaction with the housing security program proposed by the Armenian government, deeming the offered amount insufficient to secure suitable housing.

The housing provision program, currently under discussion, offers 3 million drams to each family member to purchase an apartment—a sum deemed inadequate by the displaced residents given the soaring real estate prices.

The rally comes against the backdrop of the 2023 military aggression by Azerbaijan, which led to the forced displacement of 105,000 Artsakh Armenians who sought refuge in Armenia.