Freedom House has released a report titled “Why are there no Armenians in Karabakh?” The report examines the situation of ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh from the Second Karabakh War in 2020 to the conflict’s conclusion in September 2023. The conflict included military intervention from Russian forces and had significant consequences for the region. The report, which included interviews with eyewitnesses and open sources, aimed to answer why there are no ethnic Armenians in Karabakh by May 2024.

The report concludes that the Azerbaijani government’s actions were responsible for the circumstances faced by people in Karabakh. These actions included human rights violations, ethnic cleansing, territorial disputes, and corresponding conditions. The Azerbaijani government employed a methodical military campaign to eliminate the ethnic Armenian population and eradicate their historical and cultural heritage in Karabakh.

The report highlights the systematic human rights violations experienced by Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. These violations included the destruction of churches and cultural and historical monuments, looting, and forced displacement from Karabakh to Armenia. These actions not only violated the rights of the Armenian population but also infringed upon their freedom, security, movement, education, personal and civil liberties, and socio-economic rights.

The report also analyzes how the Azerbaijani authorities created conditions that forced the migration of the Armenian population or made their stay in Karabakh impossible. These actions involved the destruction of property, mass displacement, forced military operations targeting civilian areas and infrastructure, restrictions on food and healthcare, and limited access to life-saving medicines. The Azerbaijani government’s policies and practices also infringed upon political, civil, socio-economic, cultural, and educational rights, as well as artistic expression.

The report concludes that the actions of the Azerbaijani government align with indicators of ethnic cleansing, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. The lack of adequate response from the Azerbaijani government emphasizes the urgent need for an international investigation into these deplorable acts and accountability for the responsible individuals, including within the scope of the International Criminal Court and other relevant mechanisms.

The report was prepared in collaboration with various international human rights organizations, including the Association of Anthropological Initiatives, the Foundation for the Revival of Vanadzor, the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office, the Foundation for the Preservation and Defense of Rights, and Truth Hounds, a human rights protection organization.