On September 29 in Geneva, on the sidelines of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Artsakh Union President Artak Beglaryan spoke at a side event dedicated to the right of the people of Artsakh to return, organized by Christian Solidarity International. Members of the Swiss National Council, Erich Fontobel and Nicolas Walder, as well as world-renowned lawyer Paul Williams, also participated in the event.
Following a speech by Abi McDougall, a representative of the host organization, the Swiss parliamentarians presented the essence and goals of the Swiss Peace Initiative. They noted that a stable and just peace in the region is impossible without the return of the people of Artsakh. Paul Williams praised the significance of the initiative, emphasizing the need to clarify the key issues and conditions for return in subsequent stages.
Artak Beglaryan emphasized the desire of the internally displaced persons to return to Artsakh, emphasizing the importance of the international community’s support in this matter. He noted that the legal framework for this has been fully established, and only political will is needed to ensure return.
The full video recording of the event is available at this link:
Artak Beglaryan’s full speech is available below.
Ladies and gentlemen!
First of all, I would like to thank Christian Solidarity International for organizing this event, as well as the Swiss parliamentarians, especially Erich Fontaubelle and Nicolas Walder, for raising the voice of my people and humanity.
Today, I speak on behalf of a people who, until recently, lived for millennia on the land of their ancestors, the Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and who are now facing the most difficult test of their lives.
What happened?
Following the Azerbaijani aggression and partial ethnic cleansing of 2020, in 2023, the entire population of Artsakh was subjected to a nearly 10-month blockade by Azerbaijan, followed by a military offensive. As a result of this offensive, approximately 120,000 people were forced to flee their homeland in less than a week.
Independent voices from around the world, including the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the first prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, and the first UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Juan Méndez, have assessed these events as genocide. Freedom House, the European Parliament, and other bodies have qualified them as ethnic cleansing.
Our people wanted to remain and live peacefully on their land. However, Russian peacekeepers failed to provide security guarantees, and the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, failed to take effective action to prevent mass atrocities. Geopolitical competition has overshadowed the fundamental responsibility to protect vulnerable civilians.
What we want
Today, our demand is simple and fair, and in line with international law. We want to return to our homes. Not as isolated and threatened individuals, but as a community, to live a safe, dignified, united, peaceful, and stable life.
According to a recent survey conducted in Armenia among refugees from Artsakh, 87% want to return to their homeland. This is not a political statement; it is a clear and measurable expression of the people’s will.
What is the basis of the Right of Return?
Our right to return is a matter of law, not politics.
Important international conventions recognize the right of all displaced persons to return to their homes. In the specific case of Artsakh, on November 17, the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the immediate, safe, and unimpeded return of the Armenians of Artsakh by 2023.
Furthermore, on October 11, 2023, 40 member states of the UN Human Rights Council, including Armenia and Switzerland, as well as three permanent members of the Security Council: France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, jointly called on Azerbaijan to create conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of those who wish to return.
We also highly value the Swiss Peace Initiative on Nagorno-Karabakh, based on Resolution 24.4259 adopted by the Swiss Parliament, which calls for an international peace forum on the Artsakh issue. This is a mechanism for inclusive and neutral dialogue, essential to preparing for a rights-based and genuine settlement. It is important to emphasize that this decision is binding on the Swiss government, and our people expect progress in this direction.
Current Situation
Despite a solid legal and political foundation, our people, unfortunately, continue to be neglected.
Recent documents, including the declaration and agreement signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8 with the mediation of Washington, speak for themselves.