December 10 Marks Artsakh's Independence and Constitution Day

According to the newspaper 'Hayastani Hanrapetutyun', on December 10, 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the people of Artsakh voted in favor of their country's independence. It was a period when the Azerbaijani authorities had arbitrarily suspended the activities of the regional council of people's representatives, and preparing for large-scale military operations, Baku implemented a policy of deporting Armenians.

After the Azerbaijani Supreme Council adopted a law on November 26, 1991, dissolving the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, thus violating existing legislation grossly, the Armenians of Artsakh decided to hold a nationwide referendum. Voting districts were created, and as a result of the referendum held on December 10, 99.89% of voters expressed support for the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Moreover, the voting took place under intense bombardments and shelling carried out by Azerbaijan, which resulted in new casualties and destruction among the civilian population. Despite the threats from Baku, the first elections for the Supreme Council of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic took place on December 29. The newly formed parliament, based on the manifestation of the will of the people, adopted a declaration of state independence and appealed to the UN and the world's states, urging them to recognize the country's independence and prevent a new genocide of Armenians on Artsakh soil.

Today, Artsakh simultaneously commemorates three significant events: State Independence Day, Constitution Day, and Human Rights Protection Day, which are crucial components of the process of establishing the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, forming a single whole.