The website monumentwatch.org, which monitors the state of the cultural heritage of Artsakh, writes:
“The video published on April 21, 2025, shows that Azerbaijanis have once again desecrated the tombstones of the occupied Stepanakert Memorial Complex.
In particular, the faces of freedom fighters depicted on some tombstones, including their eyes and mouths, were deliberately cut out and erased. Some tombstones were also broken.
It should be noted that the Stepanakert Memorial Complex is under threat of destruction after the complete occupation of Artsakh. In numerous videos, Azerbaijanis visiting occupied Stepanakert call for the destruction of this memorial complex.
Our Response
The desecration of Armenian monuments, including cemeteries, is prohibited by the decision of the International Court of Justice in The Hague dated December 7, 2021. According to the latter, Azerbaijan must take all necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and desecration of Armenian cultural heritage, including, but not limited to, churches and other places of worship, monuments, landmarks, cemeteries and artefacts.
In addition, on 12 March 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the need for closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the 19th paragraph of which condemns the destruction, vandalism and desecration of all historical and cultural sites documenting the centuries-old Armenian presence.
Desecration of cemeteries is also a war crime under Article 8, paragraph 2 of the Rome Statute, which specifically states that “For the purposes of this Statute, “war crimes” shall mean intentionally making attacks against buildings dedicated to religious, educational, cultural, scientific or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are gathered, provided that the said objects are not military objectives” (Article 8, paragraph 2, subparagraph (b)(ix)).
By desecrating cemeteries, Azerbaijan is violating Article 4 of the 1954 Hague Convention, which states that parties undertake to respect cultural property both in their own territory and in the territory of the other party, prohibiting the use of such property for purposes which, in case of armed conflict, might result in its destruction or damage, and to refrain from any hostile act directed against it.”