Karabakh oppositionist demands clarification of Pashinyan's words about refugees

Nikol Pashinyan is obliged to give a public explanation of his words that refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh hinder peace and threaten the security of Armenia, said Artur Osipyan, announcing a two-day solo picket near the government building in Yerevan.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on August 18 that "peace is impossible without closing the Karabakh problem, and the idea of the return of persons displaced from Karabakh is unrealistic." Karabakh activists and human rights defenders called to continue to defend the right to return, pointing out that Pashinyan has no right to determine their fate.

The leader of the Revolutionary Party of Artsakh (the self-designation of Nagorno-Karabakh) and the movement "My Right" Artur Osipyan announced a single-person picket on Republic Square in Yerevan on August 21 and 22, demanding that the Armenian authorities clarify Nikol Pashinyan's words about the need to "close the Karabakh problem."

According to Osipyan, the Armenian authorities decided to place responsibility for possible failures in the peace settlement on Karabakh refugees who want to return to their historical homeland. By involving a third party in the Meghri road deal, Yerevan is “losing influence in the region,” so the authorities are “looking in advance for someone to blame in the event of a resumption of hostilities,” choosing an ordinary Artsakh resident as a “scapegoat,” Osipyan said in a statement published on his social media page.

The activist intends to hold an hour-long solo picket outside the government building for two days. “On August 21 and 22, from 10:00 to 11:00, I will be at Republic Square, near the government building, to get clarification,” he told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

“In particular, why, according to international law, is the demand for the return of an Artsakh citizen dangerous and harmful for Armenia? Why does even raising cultural and humanitarian issues pose a threat to sovereign and independent Armenia? I do not think it is logical to accuse ordinary Artsakh residents of obstructing peace, so I consider official and public explanations from the Prime Minister or someone from the authorities necessary - I consider any form of public and official response acceptable. If I receive answers to these questions, then there will be subsequent steps, which I will announce. If I do not receive an answer, it will mean that Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the Artsakh people do not pose a threat to Armenia and can continue to fight for their rights,” Artur Osipyan told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

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