Statement of the Armenian Church Bishops Living in Armenia
03.08.2023
The ongoing complete blockade of Artsakh, the catastrophic extreme situation created as a result of it, which is a classic manifestation of genocide, have overwhelmed our people with heavy feelings of hopelessness. In the conditions of severe shortage of food, medicine and other essential vital needs in Artsakh, every day we learn about the sudden deterioration of the health of people, including children, pregnant women and sick people, and the painful cases of death. Along with the complete blockade, the Azerbaijani authorities continue to carry out such terrorist activities, which are aimed at causing constant fear, hopelessness, feelings of insecurity and feelings of leaving the Motherland among the people of Artsakh for the purpose of ethnic cleansing.
Another manifestation of such anti-human behavior took place very recently, when the Azerbaijani authorities kidnapped Vagif Khachatryan from the Berdzor corridor, who was being transported from Artsakh to Armenia under the direct patronage of the Red Cross, who had serious health problems, grossly violating the integrity, reputation and humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. Such hostile actions carried out by Azerbaijan against our people are a crime not only against the Armenians of Artsakh, but also an open challenge to the entire civilized world and competent international organizations.
We appeal to the leaders of the member states of the UN Security Council to take effective measures and call for sobriety on the Azerbaijani authorities to respect and implement the International Court of Justice interim decisions on February 22 and final decisions on July 6, forcing to abandon the way of solving problems through brute force and genocidal actions. Peace in the region cannot be established at the expense of the extermination of the people of Artsakh or the violation of their fundamental rights to a peaceful, safe and dignified life.
Deeply concerned about the position taken by the Armenian authorities to recognize Artsakh as a part of Azerbaijan, we call on the current authorities not to abandon the commitments undertaken by the Republic of Armenia for the protection of the right of self-determination of the people of Artsakh and to consolidate all state and national opportunities and potentials in defense of the safe, secure and sovereign life of the people of Artsakh.
Artsakh and Artsakh Armenians have no life and future within Azerbaijan, which has declared genocide as a state policy.
We urge the whole world-wide spiritual class of our Holy Church, together with competent representatives of national-ecclesiastical structures, undertake to present the extremely difficult situation created in Artsakh as a result of the ongoing Azerbaijani aggression in the state, church, diplomatic, public and media circles of their countries, in order to achieve the realization of the vital rights of our people of Artsakh and ensure a safe life.
We urge the children of our people to join the sacred work of saving Artsakh by all possible means and ways. We pray for our people of Artsakh and ask for God's protection and support for our sisters and brothers of Artsakh to remain indomitable in spirit and to overcome the difficult situation and problems faced with determination and togetherness.
May the Heavenly Lord keep our Homeland peaceful and bless the efforts of all our people for the welfare of Artsakh and Armenia. Amen.
