n a joint declaration marking the anniversary of the mass displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population, 31 members of France’s National Assembly and Senate stressed the need to hold perpetrators accountable for ethnic cleansing, ensure the safe return of displaced persons, and secure the release of Armenian prisoners.
The MPs warned against ignoring the consequences of Artsakh’s forced depopulation and called for the protection of Armenian detainees’ rights.
The statement reads:
“On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a brutal and unjustified military assault against the population of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), bringing an end to centuries of Armenian presence in the region. The attack occurred even as the international community, through the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by France, the U.S., and Russia, had pledged to resolve the conflict peacefully and to uphold the Armenians’ right to self-determination in Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite this commitment, Baku chose the path of war.”
Within days, the region’s entire Armenian population—around 120,000 people—was forced to flee to Armenia. This mass displacement was preceded by a nine-month blockade intended to render life impossible and force the population to abandon their homes. The blockade was, in fact, a deliberate phase of a broader ethnic cleansing policy, culminating in the complete expulsion of Armenians.
The MPs recall that the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh was established in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, through a democratic referendum organized by the local population, based on the principle of self-determination.
The declaration notes that two years later, most of the displaced remain in poverty and uncertainty.
“Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh is being destroyed or falsified. Armenian prisoners, including former high-ranking Artsakh officials, are still held in Baku’s prisons without fair trial guarantees. The Baku regime continues its policy with impunity, erasing all traces of Armenian presence in the region.”
The French parliamentarians called on the French government and European institutions to resist diplomatic indifference and reaffirmed the following principles:
- Clear and unambiguous condemnation of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the September 19, 2023 attack, and Azerbaijan’s continued violations of international law;
- Immediate release of all Armenian prisoners illegally held by Azerbaijan, including former political leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh;
- Creation of an international platform to evaluate conditions for the return, safety, and rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians;
- Reaffirmation of the inalienable right of displaced persons to return home safely and with dignity, in accordance with international court rulings, particularly the November 17, 2023 decision;
- Targeted European sanctions against those responsible for war crimes, human rights violations, and breaches of Armenia’s territorial integrity;
- Support for international investigations to document violations committed in Nagorno-Karabakh and initiate judicial proceedings under Article 14 of the Rome Statute;
- Intensified support for Armenia in the areas of humanitarian aid, security, and cultural cooperation.
On this somber anniversary, the signatories reaffirm that the expulsion of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh must not be treated as inevitable. The right of return must remain central to the agenda of democratic nations. The European Union cannot uphold its values with double standards—justice and human rights must be universal, including in the South Caucasus.
The statement was signed by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, including Joëlle Avirane, Catherine Belrhiti, Guy Benarroche, Véronique Besse, Étienne Blanc, François Bonneau, Valérie Boyer, Xavier Breton, Bernard Buis, Ghislain Cambier, Marie-Arlette Carlotti, Paul Christophe, Pierrick Courbon, Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, Philippe Gosselin, Béatrice Gosselin, Emmanuel Grégoire, Michel Herbillon, Annick Jacquemet, Yannick Jadot, Laurent Lardi, Emmanuel Mandon, Alexandra Martin, Thierry Meignen, Jean-François Portarrieu, Richard Ramos, Isabelle Santiago, Marc Séné, Anne Saury, Aurélien Taché, and Rachid Temal.
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale offensive against Artsakh, subjecting the entire region to heavy bombardment. On September 20, under pressure, Artsakh authorities agreed to cease hostilities, effectively surrendering to Baku’s demands: disarmament of its Defense Army and dissolution of the Republic. By September 24, forced displacement began, with over 100,000 people fleeing to Armenia. Reports suggest as few as 20 Armenians remain in Artsakh. On September 28, President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree dissolving the republic effective January 1, 2024. However, on October 19, he issued a second decree declaring the previous one void.
