Under the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Diocese of Artsakh, a pilot initiative titled “Healing through Testimonies” has been launched. This effort aims to support forcibly displaced Artsakh residents by allowing them to share personal experiences, fostering emotional healing through truth-telling.
In parallel, the project seeks to contribute to shaping a vision for the future—including the discussion of potential conditions for a return to Artsakh, according to Pastinfo.
The first meeting took place on June 2 in Yerevan, bringing together displaced individuals and a documentation commission. Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan opened the session by highlighting the project’s humanitarian, spiritual, and cultural character, emphasizing its apolitical nature. All testimonies and recordings will remain confidential and will not be published without explicit consent from the participants.
Bishop Abrahamyan expressed gratitude to all interviewees and introduced the commission members: California judge and Truth and Justice Center founder Gassia Apkarian, and human rights advocate Jonathan Spangenberg, chairman of the Central Council of Armenians in Germany. He noted that they were chosen for their expertise, independence, and deep respect for victims' dignity. “Their presence ensures our voices are heard with dignity and due care,” he said.
He also thanked Luis Moreno Ocampo and Artak Beglaryan for their support in coordinating the project. The International Center for Transitional Justice and the Afeyan Foundation are providing essential advisory assistance.
During the session, commission members Apkarian and Spangenberg, accompanied by the bishop, listened to the testimonies, asked questions, and shared their perspectives on the program’s goals. Observers included Artak Beglaryan, Talar Kazanjian, and Maria Abrahamyan.
The bishop also thanked Bars Media for filming and the Shoah Foundation for their support.
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale assault on Artsakh, subjecting the region to heavy shelling. A ceasefire was accepted the following day under the terms proposed by the Russian peacekeeping command, resulting in the disarmament of the Artsakh Defense Army and the decision to dissolve the Artsakh Republic. Mass displacement began on September 24, with over 100,000 people forcibly relocated to Armenia. Reports indicate that fewer than 20 Armenians remain in Artsakh. President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree on September 28 to formally dissolve the republic, effective January 1, 2024.
