Petition Published on Behalf of the Entire Population of Artsakh

The "NO to Ethnic Cleansing in Artsakh" movement has published a petition on the public platform change.org, representing the entire population of Artsakh. The petition demands the cessation of Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing and genocidal policies against Armenians in Artsakh and calls for the implementation of the three-party statement from November 9, 2020.

The petition is addressed to the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, the members of the United Nations Security Council, the President of Russia—as the leader of the peacekeeping mission—and the Prime Minister of Armenia. It notes that since the signing of the November 9 statement, Azerbaijan has grossly violated several provisions of the agreement by killing residents of the Republic of Artsakh, seizing new territories, and firing on peaceful residents engaged in agricultural activities. Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has kept Artsakh under blockade, and on April 23, it established a checkpoint in the Berdzor (Lachin) corridor, completely severing Artsakh's connection with the outside world.

The petition emphasizes that, in light of the current situation, the entire population of Artsakh demands the withdrawal of Azerbaijani armed forces from Armenian territories occupied after November 9, the full observance of the ceasefire regime, the immediate unblocking of the corridor, and ensuring uninterrupted communication with Armenia through a corridor 5 km wide. Additionally, it calls for the dismantling of the Azerbaijani checkpoint and the guarantee of the right to return home for persons kept in captivity and refugees.

According to the petition, if no practical measures are taken by the addressees within 7 days following its publication, the population of Artsakh will be forced to resort to necessary measures and methods to defend their right to live in their homeland.

The initiators of the petition have also organized a signature campaign starting today in Stepanakert, in the regional centers of Martuni, Martakert, and Askeran, as well as in other settlements of Artsakh. The petition can be reviewed and signed on the change.org website.