"Hay Dat" published a detailed ethnic cleansing case study report

ArmInfo. The Center for International and Comparative Law under the auspices of the Armenian Legal Center, operating in the "Hay Dat" system, published a detailed report addressing the recent ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, which is due to Azerbaijan's long-standing anti- Armenian discriminatory policy.

As reported by the Central Office of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun "Hay Dat" Bureau, the report argues that the siege of Artsakh, the military offensive, and the subsequent forced displacement were not isolated incidents, but rather the culmination of deeply entrenched institutional policies against Armenians.  The report distinguishes between the concepts of "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide", noting that while genocide is defined as the intent to destroy a group in whole or in part, ethnic cleansing involves the forcible removal of a group from a specific area through violence and terror.  "In the case of Artsakh, the European Parliament and various experts have classified the events as ethnic cleansing, some extending this classification to the crime of genocide, due to the harsh conditions and the threat of systematic extermination," the ARF said in a statement.

It also noted that the evidence presented in the report shows that Azerbaijan's policies, including the blockade and military operations, reflect a deliberate attempt to eradicate the Armenian presence in Artsakh. "In 2022  the blockade that began in December created dire conditions, restricting the flow of essential goods and services, resulting in severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel. The resulting humanitarian crisis led to widespread malnutrition, poor health and disruption of education and health services," the ARF recalled

The report details how Azerbaijani forces targeted agricultural operations and hindered local food production, exacerbating the suffering of the Armenian population.

"The military offensive that began in September 2023 exacerbated the crisis. The report documents how the attack, which began with intense fighting and widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, led to significant civilian casualties and serious disruptions to evacuation efforts. Reports of war crimes, including torture and mutilation of Armenian civilians, highlight the brutality of the attack and the significance of such actions in the forced displacement of the Armenian population from Artsakh," the report continues.  The report also highlights the ongoing destruction of Armenian cultural and religious sites by Azerbaijani authorities, systematically erasing Armenian traces. 

"This destruction includes the destruction of churches, historical monuments and khachkars, as well as the manipulation of the nature of monuments to eliminate Armenian cultural traces. The report includes satellite images and documents from organizations such as Caucasus Heritage Watch, which shows the extent of cultural destruction that has been condemned by international bodies such as UNESCO and the European Parliament. The report highlights that this cultural destruction and the impact of the blockade reflects a broader pattern of anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijani society," the ARF stated.  Moreover, the report notes that the treatment of Armenians under Azerbaijani rule, including the politically motivated detention of Artsakh political leaders and the continued glorification of anti-Armenian violence, reflects a disregard for international human rights standards. 

"It emphasizes that the systematic denial of Armenian cultural identity and the destruction of cultural heritage sites is an integral part of Azerbaijan's broader strategy to eliminate the Armenian presence in Artsakh." the report says. 

In the final part, the report calls for international action to eliminate these violations, emphasizing the need to support the displaced Armenian population 

It also suggests that the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage, along with gross human rights violations and institutional discrimination in Azerbaijan, poses a continuing threat to Artsakh Armenians and underscores the urgency of international intervention to prevent further atrocities and support the restoration of Armenian rights and heritage.  The report is available at the following link: https://iclaw.am/downloads/Artsakh-Nagorno-Karabakh-A- Case-Study-in-Ethnic-Cleansing.pdf .