The conflict went through two wars, and its outcome was not the alteration of borders and territorial gains for the involved parties, but rather the displacement and mutual exchange of populations based on ethnicity. This process affected hundreds of thousands, both Azerbaijanis and Armenians.
In the context of concluding a peace treaty, the possibility of return for those who wish to is being discussed. This issue is humanitarian in nature, and selective treatment in its consideration and implementation is unacceptable. However, Western countries, primarily the USA and France, particularly highlight and promote the rights of the Karabakh Armenians. Recently, under the direction of the U.S. State Department, Freedom House and several other Western NGOs presented a fact-finding report titled “Why Are There No Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh?” It suggests that the U.S. prioritizes the return of the Karabakh Armenians with special conditions ensuring their rights and security.
The question arises, on what basis are the rights of the Karabakh Armenians placed above the rights of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Zangezur, Goycha, who were brutally expelled from Armenia at the very beginning of the conflict? After all, they, like the hundreds of thousands of Armenians from Baku, Sumgait, and Ganja, were the first victims of the irredentist and separatist movement “Miatsum”. However, the Karabakh Armenians are not only victims of the conflict but also active participants in criminal acts, including armed struggle against legitimate authorities, genocidal actions (Khojaly), ethnic cleansing of the Azerbaijani population, looting of their property and destruction of cities and villages, desecration of graves and mosques.
How fair is France and other Western powers’ demand to ensure the return of the Karabakh Armenians without defining their status (application for citizenship or residence permit) and without repentance for their illegal and criminal acts? Baku has hundreds of testimonies from Karabakh Armenians stating that the reason for their exodus was the calls of separatist leaders, not violent actions by the Azerbaijani military. Surveys conducted in Armenia itself not only confirmed this fact but also revealed that most Armenians do not want to live together with Azerbaijanis and do not want to recognize the authority and laws of Azerbaijan.
Therefore, the issue of the unconditional return of the Karabakh Armenians is merely a tool to pressure Baku and extract unacceptable concessions in favor of Armenia. Armenians and Azerbaijanis forced to leave their former places of residence as a result of the conflict should have the opportunity to return, but this can only be done by achieving lasting peace, restoring good neighborliness, and on a mutual basis without preferences for any group.
Rasim Musabayov
