On Monday, a group of displaced Artsakh Armenians staged a demonstration outside Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging the government to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure the release of Armenian prisoners of war, safeguard cultural heritage, and protect the rights of displaced Artsakh Armenians. They also called for the preservation of the OSCE Minsk Group framework as a platform for political resolution.
Council for the Protection of the Rights of Artsakh Armenians member Tatevik Khachatryan criticized officials for ignoring the demonstrators and failing to address their concerns. In a powerful act of protest, participants burned the ruling Civil Contract party’s pre-election manifesto, accusing the government of betrayal and breaking promises—particularly those related to reclaiming Shushi and Hadrut.
Protester Nare Simonyan accused the current Armenian leadership of misleading the public about its role in the outcome of the 2020 Artsakh war, claiming that officials had consistently obscured the truth and evaded accountability.
Speaking to reporters, protester Anastas Israelian emphasized the right of Artsakh’s population to self-determination and asserted that no government has the moral authority to decide the fate of an entire people.
“As a people, we must fight for the rights tied to our identity and existence as Armenians. Governments are temporary—but we live here, and we own our rights,” Israelian declared. “The fact that you don’t have an answer doesn’t mean there is no answer. It only means you, as leaders, are unable to articulate it. New leaders will come, and existing international documents will keep this issue alive.”
He criticized Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and the current administration’s passive approach, warning that the situation has grown increasingly complex. “Before the fall of Artsakh, our demands were limited—self-determination and status. Now, there are twelve. If the government continues to remain silent, the list will only grow. This is a national issue. It concerns every Armenian.”
Photolure Photographer Vahram Baghdasaryan
Artak Beglaryan, former State Minister and Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh, also spoke at the protest. He underscored the Armenian government’s obligation to keep the Artsakh issue on the national and international agenda.
“If we remain silent—both domestically and abroad—many will assume the issue is closed, that the forced displacement of Artsakh Armenians has been accepted,” said Beglaryan. “The Armenian government bears the primary responsibility to ensure the page on Artsakh is not turned.”
While expressing limited faith in the current administration, Beglaryan noted that public pressure can still drive change. “Foreign diplomats often ask, ‘Why should we raise the issue when Armenia itself doesn’t?’ That’s a valid question. Our government must lead—but that doesn’t mean we stop international advocacy.”
Tigran Abrahamyan, Secretary of the opposition I Have Honor parliamentary faction, voiced strong criticism of Armenia’s current leadership. Addressing demonstrators and the press, Abrahamyan stressed that the demands of displaced Artsakh Armenians are not isolated regional concerns, but matters of national security and strategic interest for the Republic of Armenia.
“The goal of the protest is to achieve tangible results through public pressure,” Abrahamyan said. “The issues raised today by the people of Artsakh are not only vital to them but are directly tied to Armenia’s security and national interests.”
In addition to addressing the Foreign Ministry, protesters also appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, urging it to protect the rights of displaced Artsakh residents and to collaborate with international organizations in securing the swift release and repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan.
Abrahamyan underlined the importance of maintaining a focus on actionable goals and coordinated strategy. He reiterated that his party’s core political demand remains unchanged: the resignation of the current government.
“The foreign policy promoted by the authorities neither reflects the will of the Armenian nation nor serves the collective interests of the Armenian people,” he stated. “That is why a change in leadership is not just necessary—it’s urgent.”
He dismissed the idea that incremental or symbolic reforms could meaningfully address the crisis, arguing that only a complete shift in political leadership and direction can produce credible solutions.
The demonstrators issued the following demands to the Foreign Ministry:
- Appeal to international bodies such as the UN, Council of Europe, and OSCE to establish mechanisms ensuring the safe, dignified return of Artsakh Armenians to their homeland.
- Demand independent monitoring of politically motivated trials against Armenians in Baku.
- Urge neutral countries like Switzerland to provide consular services to Armenian detainees.
- Activate the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism to address reports of torture and inhumane treatment of Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan.
- Make the release of Armenian prisoners a non-negotiable precondition in any treaty discussions with Azerbaijan.
- Pursue expanded legal action in international courts (ECHR, UN) using new evidence of war crimes and cultural destruction.
- Request fact-finding missions by UNESCO and the Council of Europe to document crimes against Armenian heritage.
- Call for sanctions against Azerbaijan for crimes against humanity.
- Support ICC referrals to investigate forced displacement and other war crimes.
- Encourage foreign states to pursue universal jurisdiction cases against Azerbaijani officials.
These demands were previously submitted in a formal letter to the Armenian government but, according to protesters, have yet to receive a meaningful response.
Following their protest at the Foreign Ministry, the demonstrators moved to the Prosecutor General’s Office to further press their case for accountability and action.