Freedom House, an international human rights organization, has released its “Freedom in the World 2024” report. The report highlights the military aggression and ethnic cleansing conducted by Azerbaijan in Artsakh. It states that the increasing violence in conflict areas fuels global authoritarian aggression, resulting in people living in these areas becoming victims of their own governments, widespread repression, and the consequences of expansionist extremist ideologies.

In September, the Azerbaijani regime launched a military attack on Artsakh Mountainous Karabakh. This attack led to the displacement of local self-governance bodies and over 120,000 Armenians, which was widely condemned as ethnic cleansing. Previously, Artsakh experienced its largest increase in 2023, surpassing 40 points.

The Russian government has been actively involved in the region since 2020, bringing significant successes to Baku. In 2022, a military clash in Nagorno-Karabakh limited Russia’s military power, allowing Azerbaijani forces to regain control over the remaining portion of the territory. The Azerbaijani regime continues to implement its expansive program by force, without much restraint.

The aggression against Armenia in Artsakh has escalated with an ethnically motivated genocide. Since the 1990s, the government has implemented ethnic cleansing of ethnic Armenians, resulting in the country’s invasion or imposition of restrictions. In recent years, there has been an increase in religious persecution, attacks on cultural institutions, and civil society. The devastation of Nagorno-Karabakh has intensified internal social upheaval, caused by the country’s leadership, particularly Ilham Aliyev, who has been leading Azerbaijan since 2003. Aliyev has taken measures to expand his influence, violating the territorial integrity of Armenia. The report also highlights the role of the Russian government in reinforcing the ambitions of the Azerbaijani regime. Following the mass deportation of Armenians by the government of Khrimnuk, who ruled the region for 20 years, the level of freedom for one million residents near the dispute line has plummeted. The military forces of the Russian Federation continue to suppress the population and coerce local authorities into implementing Russian interests. This situation is particularly alarming for ethnic Azerbaijani Kurds and the Tatars of Crimea, as their language, religion, and culture are targeted, while Moscow attempts to russify the region, according to the report.

These developments in Artsakh highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the region and the need for international attention and intervention to protect human rights and promote peace.