Artsakh Armenians protest outside government, insist on right to return

Panorama

Displaced residents of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on Thursday held a protest Thursday outside the Armenian government building, demanding that officials reaffirm their right to return to their homeland.

The protesters criticized recent remarks by government officials suggesting that the return of Artsakh Armenians is unrealistic and that the Artsakh issue “is closed”.

“You have no right to speak on behalf of Artsakh Armenians,” one demonstrator said, addressing the government. “Everything has been taken away from them, including their homes, homeland and even their children. Whoever questions their right to return is the number one enemy to the Armenian nation.”

The protester said Artsakh “has been and will remain Armenian”, adding that even if returning is not possible now, the right to do so must never be denied.

“You invite different leaders to debates on various platforms,” he said. “We are inviting you to a debate here, come and answer our questions. But you won’t, because you have no answers.”