Hundreds of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh gathered in central Yerevan on Friday to demand protection of their rights and better support from the Armenian government. The protest, organized by the Council for the Protection of Artsakh Residents’ Rights, quickly escalated into a sit-in demonstration after police and city officials blocked the group from marching toward the parliament and government buildings.
“We were granted permission for a rally, but denied the right to march. Police threatened to use force if we proceeded,” said Artak Mkrtchyan, a council representative. “We’re staying here. This is now a sit-in, and we’ll be the last to leave.”
The demonstrators, gathered in Liberty Square, where they say they plan to spend the night—despite police prohibiting them from setting up tents.
Their demands include the right of return to their homes in Karabakh, meaningful housing and social support inside Armenia, full implementation of promised assistance programs, and an end to what they call the “silent exodus” of Karabakh Armenians emigrating due to neglect and despair.
Mounting Discontent
The sit-in reflects growing frustration among displaced Karabakh Armenians, who accuse the Armenian government of failing to uphold its responsibilities. Protesters say they have been met with bureaucratic indifference, inadequate housing, and inconsistent aid.
Artak Beglaryan, former Human Rights Ombudsman of Nagorno-Karabakh and a key organizer of the protest, emphasized that the demonstrators are seeking dignity—not charity. “These people lost everything—homes, livelihoods, history. And now they’re told to move on, quietly, without causing discomfort. We won’t stay silent.”
Government Under Pressure
The Pashinyan administration, already under fire for its handling of the 2023 Karabakh crisis, faces renewed scrutiny over its treatment of displaced citizens. While officials have outlined resettlement and integration plans, many on the ground say these programs have fallen short or failed to materialize.
With no clear pathway to return home and limited prospects in Armenia, growing numbers of displaced Karabakh Armenians have begun seeking refuge abroad—raising fears of irreversible depopulation of their community.
As night fell over Liberty Square, demonstrators lit candles and wrapped themselves in blankets. For now, they say they are staying put. “We are not just refugees. We are citizens with rights,” one protester said. “And we will not be erased quietly.”
