Right of Return of the Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)
Yeghia Tashjian, Salma Waheedi, Thomas Becker, Nareg Seferian
This work examines the forced deportation of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh
(also known as Artsakh in Armenian) by Azerbaijan, defining it as ethnic cleansing.
Drawing on Freedom House’s comprehensive report on the topic, and the resolution
passed by the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) on Nagorno-
Karabakh on September 20241, we conclude that Azerbaijan’s systematic attacks, forced
displacement, and destruction of cultural heritage are elements of a premeditated
campaign to expel Nagorno-Karabakh of its ethnic Armenians that triggers international
legal obligations, including a sustainable right of return. It brings together perspectives
from Armenian and international experts in political science and human rights law to
analyze the historical, legal, and geopolitical dimensions of the crisis. The paper
discusses the Armenian presence in the region from antiquity to the establishment of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast under Soviet rule, the independence movement,
and subsequent wars, focusing on the 2020 and 2023 conflicts.
The international response, including statements from the EU, UN, and ICJ,
highlights the obligation to ensure safe repatriation and the protection of Armenian rights
and cultural heritage. It underscores key violations of international law, including breaches
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ICCPR, and Geneva Conventions, and
advocates for accountability in international legal forums.
The paper offers actionable recommendations for the United States government
to support the right of return, including securing international guarantees, advocating for
the preservation of Armenian cultural sites, and holding Azerbaijani officials accountable
for war crimes. It emphasizes the necessity of sustained international engagement, legal
mechanisms, and Armenian government support to ensure the dignity, security, and
cultural legacy of the displaced ethnic Armenians, laying the groundwork for a just
resolution and enduring peace in the region.
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