Participants in the discussion spoke of incitement to hatred against Karabakh refugees.
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The Armenian authorities are systematically inciting hatred towards refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and restricting their rights. It is necessary to develop mechanisms to protect their rights, stated participants in a discussion held in Yerevan.
On September 19-20, 2023, Azerbaijan conducted large-scale military operations and took control of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which began a mass exodus of the Armenian population. By October 7, 2023, 100,632 internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh had arrived in Armenia. By the beginning of September 2024, there were 14 Armenians remaining in the region; one of the last Armenian residents of Karabakh, 70-year-old Vera Aghasyan, died at the end of October 2024. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "The Beginning and End of the Unrecognized Republic of Artsakh".
A plenary discussion entitled "Manifestations of Hate Speech and Discriminatory Attitudes toward Artsakh (Karabakh) People," organized by the Public Council of Nagorno-Karabakh, was held on April 3 at the Nagorno-Karabakh representative office in Yerevan, reports a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
The consultative body "Public Council" of Nagorno-Karabakh was established on February 6, 2026, by decree of Acting President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh Ashot Danielyan. The Council consists of 23 members, including political figures and representatives of civil society in Nagorno-Karabakh. Four commissions have been established within the Council to address issues related to the forcibly displaced population of Nagorno-Karabakh. In particular, issues of human rights and freedoms, cooperation and coordination with Armenia, the diaspora, and international organizations, social issues and healthcare, science, education, culture, youth, sports, and religion.
"Recent manifestations of hatred towards the people of Artsakh have taken several forms," Nagorno-Karabakh Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan stated during the discussion.
"After the events of 2023, that is, the loss of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the tendency to look for culprits has intensified in Armenia, with the authorities placing responsibility for the loss on the people of Artsakh themselves. In international terminology, this is called 'blaming the victim.'" Another key narrative contributing to the incitement of hatred is the thesis of the "ingratitude" of the people of Artsakh. The public is spreading the notion that Armenia has provided unilateral support to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) for decades, which is a distortion of history. However, such rhetoric is also supported and broadcast at the state level," the ombudsman noted. He stated the need for "legal activism and the protection of rights both at the national level and within the framework of international mechanisms." Stepanyan specifically noted that "during periods of intensified political processes or when Artsakh residents raise questions about their rights, the level of hostile rhetoric from the authorities significantly increases." He does not rule out the possibility that "the authorities hope that such rhetoric will attract more supporters."
"Hate speech is a tool directed not only against the people of Artsakh, but also against Armenian society as a whole, posing a serious threat to the country's internal security," stated Armenia's first ombudsman, human rights activist Larisa Alaverdyan.
She recalled that "in 2020-2023, the Armenian government refused to grant refugee status to residents of Hadrut and Shushi, arguing that they were citizens of the Republic of Armenia." "It is important to remember this and avoid a fragmented approach. Previously, the authorities themselves claimed that passports with the 070 code were proof of citizenship, not just a travel document. But everything changed after September 2023. However, the government decree does not contain a provision regarding the invalidity of passports with the code 070. Therefore, this is a case of arbitrary action by the executive branch, since the Constitution directly prohibits the deprivation of citizenship,” the human rights activist said. She added that “the Constitution of Armenia clearly enshrines the state’s obligation to protect its citizens, regardless of their location or territory of residence.” Human rights activist and member of the Nagorno-Karabakh Public Council, Nare Simonyan, noted that “narratives about ‘ingratitude,’ ‘flight,’ ‘refusal to help soldiers,’ and ‘lack of love for Armenia’ are being actively promoted in the public arena.” “This rhetoric systematically either intensifies after statements by the authorities or precedes them. Therefore, one can assert that there is a systemic policy of shaping a negative attitude towards the people of Artsakh. "Such rhetoric is used especially actively during pre-election periods. The authorities use hate speech to mobilize the electorate, creating the image of the 'enemy,' often represented by those who bear national identity, including the church and the people of Artsakh," Simonyan noted. Speaking about the voting rights of refugees, Simonyan noted that "prior to the forced deportation in the fall of 2023, residents of Artsakh held passports of the Republic of Armenia and used them, including in government and diplomatic structures, but were limited in their right to participate in national elections." "In 2021, 124 court cases were filed in which Artsakh residents with passports with the 070 code sought to restore their voting rights. And in all cases, the courts confirmed their citizenship and right to participate in elections. However, the fact that the authorities disseminated the term 'travel passport' after 2023 has no legal basis and is a fabrication." "This can be qualified as legal violence against refugees," Simonyan stated. She believes that "it is necessary to appeal to the courts to restore the electoral rights of Artsakh residents, and if they are denied, to demand an additional legal assessment of such decisions." Public figure and member of the Nagorno-Karabakh Public Council Alvard Zakaryan noted that the Armenian authorities have recently been constantly talking about "fighting hybrid threats," but their actions are directed against the Armenian people. In particular, hatred is spreading in society toward those who speak out about human rights and national values, and especially the rights of refugees. "The current Armenian government is doing everything to sow discord in society, to prevent the unity of the Armenian people. However, such actions are not only a violation of rights and the law. "Human rights activists and lawyers must respond," Zakaryan said. Nagorno-Karabakh National Assembly Member Metaxa Hakobyan noted that "it is necessary to find mechanisms that people who have become victims of public hatred and violence can use to obtain protection." Considering that Armenia's judicial system is not up to par, people often don't believe their rights and freedoms will be protected and don't appeal to the necessary authorities, it is necessary to consider creating protection mechanisms. "Refugees are especially vulnerable now, because hatred towards them is spread by officials," Hakobyan expressed her opinion. At the same time, the deputy noted that "hatred towards refugees is spread mainly on social networks and media outlets under their control, while nothing similar is observed during trips and meetings." We have updated the apps on Android and IOS! We would be grateful for criticism and ideas for development both in Google Play/App Store and on KU pages in social networks. Without installing a VPN, you can read us on Telegram (in Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia - with VPN). Using a VPN, you can continue reading "Caucasian Knot" on the website as usual, and on social networks Facebook*, Instagram*, "VKontakte", "Odnoklassniki" and X. You can watch the "Caucasian Knot" video on YouTube. Send messages to +49 157 72317856 on WhatsApp*, to the same number on Telegram, or write to @Caucasian_Knot. * Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.