Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh Face Uncertain Future Amidst Armenian-Azerbaijani Peace Efforts
In the aftermath of the recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, survivors of the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh find themselves grappling with feelings of abandonment. The peace deal, brokered by President Donald Trump, has left many former residents of Artsakh, an Armenian-majority region within Azerbaijan, in a state of limbo as they navigate life as refugees in Armenia.
Marina Simonyan, a 34-year-old legal professional and human rights advocate from Artsakh, has lived through three wars in her homeland. The recent invasion by Azerbaijan in September 2023, which displaced over 120,000 people, is a story she believes must be shared globally. “It’s not just a story, but it is a record, well noted by the Human Rights Defenders Office,” Simonyan said, recounting the atrocities committed during the invasion.
Leaders of the Artsakh government-in-exile have voiced their dissatisfaction with the peace agreement and memorandum of understanding, feeling that the terms neglect the needs and rights of Artsakh’s people. The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh dates back to the early 1990s and has seen several periods of intense fighting.
Simonyan described the dire conditions during Azerbaijan’s 10-month blockade, where civilians were deprived of essential supplies. Pregnant women faced severe hardships, walking miles to hospitals without proper nutrition, leading to tragic outcomes. The blockade also resulted in civilian deaths due to starvation and Azerbaijani military aggression.
‘We had to leave our homeland’
The sudden offensive by Azerbaijan on September 19, 2023, forced many to flee their homes. Simonyan recounted the chaos of evacuating under threat, with roads blocked and families separated. “We had to leave our history of thousands of years, our churches, our graveyards, our history, our memory, everything,” she lamented.
The exodus from Artsakh was fraught with danger, including an explosion at a military warehouse that killed and injured many. Refugees faced a perilous journey to Armenia, often harassed by Azerbaijani forces along the way. Simonyan described the uncertainty they faced, with incidents of kidnapping and religious persecution reported.
A long history of persecution
Armenia’s history of persecution dates back centuries. As the first nation to adopt Christianity, it has endured significant trials, including the Armenian Genocide during World War I. The current geopolitical tensions with Azerbaijan echo past traumas, with concerns about further aggression amidst the ongoing peace negotiations.
Despite the peace deal’s promise of economic interests and potential security, many Armenians remain skeptical of Azerbaijan’s intentions. The agreement lacks provisions for the return of Artsakh refugees and the release of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan, adding to the sense of betrayal felt by displaced communities.
‘Forgotten by everyone’
Two years after being uprooted, Artsakh’s displaced population feels neglected by both Armenia and the international community. Gegham Stepanyan, Artsakh’s human rights ombudsman, expressed frustration at the lack of support compared to other refugee crises. “It seems that we are forgotten by everyone just in two years,” he stated.
Although the Armenian government has extended some aid, many refugees face poverty and unemployment. The housing assistance program requires Armenian citizenship, which many Artsakh Armenians fear might compromise their right to return. Stepanyan noted that the financial aid provided is insufficient to meet housing costs, leaving many without stable accommodation.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
