Hay Dat Central Council strongly condemns destruction of Armenian  church in Stepanakert 

ArmInfo.  The Hay Dat Central Council of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) issued a statement strongly condemning the destruction of the Intercession of  the Holy Virgin Cathedral in occupied Stepanakert by Azerbaijani  authorities.

The Hay Dat statement, received by ArmInfo, emphasizes that this  action, committed on the eve of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian  Genocide, marks a serious escalation in the systematic destruction of  Armenian cultural and spiritual heritage in Artsakh. "Consecrated in  2019, the cathedral symbolized the revival of Armenian religious life  and the continuity of the Armenian presence within it. Its  destruction, confirmed by satellite imagery, follows previous attacks  on Armenian cultural and religious sites and reflects a larger and  targeted campaign to destroy Armenian historical heritage.

These actions constitute serious violations of international law and  UNESCO legal norms protecting cultural heritage, and are contrary to  the rulings of the International Court of Justice, which oblige  Azerbaijan to prevent and punish such actions," the statement  emphasized.  In this regard, Hay Dat expressed concern about the lack  of an adequate international response to these actions, noting that  continued silence risks exacerbating impunity and undermines  prospects for justice and the safe return of displaced Armenians.

Based on the above, Hay Dat called on the international community to  immediately initiate independent international monitoring of the  cultural and religious heritage in the affected areas; Take targeted  measures to ensure accountability for deliberate destruction;  prioritize heritage protection within the framework of international  cooperation in the South Caucasus; and take immediate legal and  diplomatic steps on the part of Armenia, including resorting to  international judicial mechanisms.

"The destruction of cultural heritage is an attack not only on the  identity of any people, but also on the common heritage of humanity,  and requires a swift and principled international response,"  concluded Hay Dat.

Recall that on April 21, it was reported that Azerbaijan razed the  Surb Astvatsatsin Church.  Days earlier, it was also reported that  the enemy had destroyed the Surb Hakob Church in Stepanakert. The  cultural genocide in Artsakh is taking place against the backdrop of  the tacit encouragement of the so-called civilized international  community. Day after day, Azerbaijani occupiers are destroying sites  that testify to the millennia-long presence of Armenians on this  land.

It should be noted that since the occupation of Artsakh, Azerbaijan  has completely destroyed or significantly damaged the following  cultural and religious sites. The Kanach Jam (Surb Hovhannes Mkrtich)  Church in Shushi was completely destroyed in April 2024, the  Ghazanchetsots Cemetery in Shushi was completely destroyed, the  village of Karintak was completely bulldozed, and monuments and busts  in Stepanakert, including those to Charles Aznavour, Hovhannes  Aivazovsky, Hovhannes Tumanyan, and Marshal Baghramyan, were  dismantled. The Marshal Khudyakov Museum in the village of Mets Tager  was destroyed.  Today, approximately 4,000 Armenian cultural sites  remain under Azerbaijani control, including more than 370 churches  and 119 ancient fortresses.