His Holiness the Great At the suggestion of His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Swiss Protestant Church organized a conference on “Religious Freedom: A Global Perspective” in Bern, Switzerland, May 26-28. International conference “Preservation of the Armenian Spiritual, Cultural and Historical Heritage in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh”. This was reported by the Information System of the Mother See. On May 27, the conference opened with a blessing and message from the Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches Rev. Jerry Pillay, the President of the Swiss Protestant Church Rev. Rita Famous, the board members of the World Council of Churches, the organizers and supporters of the conference, thanks to whose efforts the problems facing the Armenian people after the occupation of Artsakh and Nagorno-Karabakh are once again being raised on the international arena. “In the 21st century, which was supposed to be marked by the establishment of peace, solidarity and justice in the lives of peoples and states, we, unfortunately, are witnessing wars, acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing carried out on the basis of hostility and hatred, as well as reprehensible cases of violation of religious freedom and fundamental human rights. Our people have also experienced these disasters as a result of the aggression and crimes committed against Artsakh by Azerbaijan with the military support of Turkey.” The 44-day period began in 2020 and then in 2023. During the large-scale military operations, Artsakh was occupied and completely depopulated. Large territories of vital importance on the border of the Republic of Armenia are occupied, and new demands are put forward in the process of signing a peace treaty. Azerbaijan holds hostage political leaders, civilians and prisoners of war of Artsakh, conducting a show trial over them, grossly violating the norms of international law. “It is obvious that such lawlessness and humiliating cruelty are caused exclusively by nationality and Armenophobia, which is the reason for encroachment on the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Armenian people and historical shrines,” the Armenian Patriarch noted, emphasizing that for centuries the Armenians of Artsakh, with faith and the spirit of devotion to their national identity, have built their dignified existence on their native land, and also enriched the cultural treasury of humanity with valuable creations of science and art.
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His Holiness noted with sorrow that after the occupation of Artsakh, the barbaric destruction of ancient Armenian monuments, Christian shrines, settlements and cemeteries by Azerbaijan continues to this day. By pursuing a policy of depriving ancient Armenian monasteries and churches of their identity, Azerbaijan declares the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh to be Albanian. “The Azerbaijani authorities continue to ignore the calls of the international community, refuse to comply with the requirements of the 2022 European Parliament Resolution No. 2582 “On the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh”, and also reject the UNESCO initiative to conduct a fact-finding mission to assess the state of Armenian monuments in Artsakh.” “Chairman of the Caucasus Muslim Board Allahshukur Pashazade, who made false statements a few days ago, also joined the anti-Armenian propaganda of the Azerbaijani authorities,” His Holiness added, noting that the Armenian shrines of Nakhchivan were brutally destroyed as a result of the same anti-Armenian actions of Azerbaijan, and exactly twenty years ago, in 2005, about six thousand khachkars in Old Julfa of Nakhchivan were wiped off the face of the earth. “Cultural crimes, unfortunately, do not know geographical boundaries and are found wherever human and national rights are violated, xenophobia and intolerance are manifested, and the sublime value and importance of spiritual heritage is ignored. Crimes committed against cultural heritage are rightly considered not only as crimes against a particular nation, but also as crimes against universal human values. “The impunity of such barbaric crimes creates an atmosphere of permissiveness not only for the continuation of culturally destructive crimes in Azerbaijan, but also creates the preconditions and encourages the commission of similar and more brutal crimes in other parts of the world,” the Armenian Patriarch said, confirming that the protection of cultural values is not only a sacred duty of everyone, but also an imperative for the preservation of the history, faith and identity of nations and peoples. Then, addressing the conference participants, His Holiness emphasized: “The issue of preserving the spiritual, cultural and historical heritage of Artsakh is more relevant today than ever, when the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh are deprived of the right to live and create on their land, to preserve and develop the culture that they have created for centuries with their faith.” In the modern world, such terrible crimes against humanity and humaneness, acts that undermine the foundations of freedom, justice and law, cannot be tolerated. “Yes, conflicts between countries must be resolved by peaceful means, based on justice and mutual consent, and with respect for national identity and dignity.” Attaching great importance to holding such conferences, the Armenian Patriarch expressed hope that international actors and competent institutions will take active steps aimed at preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh, the safe return of Artsakh Armenians to their native land, restoring their legitimate right to a free and dignified life, and the speedy release of Armenian captives. In conclusion, His Holiness thanked the sister Churches and inter-church organizations for their support of the Armenian people and the Church in a difficult situation and the consistency shown in protecting the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh, wishing the conference a fruitful course.
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