Pashinyan Urges Artsakh Refugees to Settle as Citizens, But Many Remain Hesitant

Armenia is trying to help refugees from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) become Armenian citizens after the Azerbaijani military offensive on Artsakh in September 2023. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan drafted a plan for the displaced population, saying they should settle in Armenia and live, work, and succeed as full citizens. The government has launched a campaign to encourage refugees to apply for citizenship, including mobile units to accept applications on the street and a temporary waiver of fees, which are set to rise sharply in January.

Despite these efforts, many refugees are hesitant to apply. They worry that becoming citizens may affect their refugee status or access to other benefits. Critics say that while the government talks about support, practical help like housing and jobs remains limited, and fast-tracked citizenship does not fully address the difficulties refugees face.

Armenia does not automatically recognize former residents of Artsakh as citizens. Passports issued before 2023 only allowed travel, not nationality. A German court confirmed last year that Artsakh Armenians are stateless and cannot safely return to the region due to the risk of persecution by Azerbaijan.

The displacement came after a nine-month blockade and an Azerbaijani military offensive that forced out all Armenians from their ancestral land. 

Armenia has modified its laws to exempt displaced people from citizenship fees, and applications can now be submitted at more than 40 offices or through mobile units. Still, some argue that the government’s response is reactive, focused on legal paperwork rather than long-term housing, employment, and integration support.

During the 2023 offensive, Azerbaijani forces systematically targeted Armenian communities, destroying homes, cultural heritage, and infrastructure. Human rights groups and observers have described the campaign as ethnic cleansing, forcing the entire Armenian population of the region to flee. The international community has expressed concern over the humanitarian consequences and the threat to the cultural and historic Armenian presence in the region.

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