3 years ago on this day, Azerbaijan unleashed large-scale military operation against the indigenous people of Nagorno-Karabakh, living in their homeland, targeting the civilian population and committing mass war crimes.

These destructive actions were part of Azerbaijan’s planned policy of subjecting Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.

Despite numerous calls and efforts to resolve current regional issues exclusively through political and diplomatic means, Azerbaijan continued its practice of use of force or threat of force, avoiding constructive dialogue on the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh under an international mechanism.

During the past three years the people of Nagorno-Karabakh endured inhumane difficulties being constantly subjected to military attacks, intimidation, a 10-month-long blockade and starvation.

The absence of condemnation of the use of force and strong response from the international community three years ago, the ineffectiveness of the security guarantees created after the 44-day war of 2020 and the absence of international access to Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s actions and policy of Armenophobia were not only continued but also reached their new manifestation – forcible displacement, ethnic cleansing of a major part of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh following the military attack unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 19.

Today the Republic of Armenia commemorates all our compatriots who died in the 44-day war in 2020 and in the following period. Today we emphasise the imperative of condemning the use of force and preventing another atrocity crime in the region.

Article: Lala Hayrapetyan, Tatevik Muradyan (2022-1-HU01-ESC51-VTJ-000080624)