In a dire warning, Siobhan Nash-Marshall, a prominent U.S.-based human rights advocate, has sounded the alarm about the imminent "destruction" of an enclave in Nagorno-Karabakh, home to 120,000 Armenian Christians.
Nash-Marshall, the founder of the Christians in Need Foundation (CINF), has been actively involved in supporting Armenian Christians in the region, including the establishment of a school in Nagorno-Karabakh.
She fears that recent attacks and disarmament efforts will likely result in the forced removal of ethnic Armenians as the Azeri government seeks to assert control over Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh. Those who choose to leave, she says, will carry "permanent scars akin to those of the descendants of genocide survivors."
Nagorno-Karabakh, though internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, is predominantly inhabited by Christian ethnic Armenians who claim self-sovereignty under the Republic of Artsakh.
The recent escalation of violence began with the blockade of the Lachin Corridor in December 2022, cutting off crucial supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh. This humanitarian crisis led to renewed military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.
During an emergency meeting at the United Nations Security Council, representatives from various nations condemned the violence and called for further action to protect the rights of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
France emphasized the need for tangible guarantees from Azerbaijan to ensure peace, including the unconditional reopening of the Lachin Corridor.
Pope Francis expressed deep concern over the situation and called on all parties and the international community to seek peaceful solutions and respect human dignity.
In the United States, Congressman Chris Smith urged President Joe Biden to take immediate action by pushing for a United Nations mandate and peacekeeping mission to protect Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The international community is closely monitoring the escalating crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, with increasing calls for immediate action to prevent further suffering and loss of life.