The war may be 'over' for now,
but still, a free Artsakh no matter what!
by Kat Ulrike
At first, this writer may not be an Armenian, but this note sympathises with the Armenian people of Artsakh and its struggle for self-determination despite being disregarded by the world, beaten by the Azeris, what more of being alienated by a government who thinks staying silent means national survival.
Armenians around the world are now grieving, lamenting the loss of life and suffering of its fellow compatriots in Artsakh. That by seeing them leaving their homes, these innocent human beings carrying nothing but their own belongings, what more to see them with fear in their eyes as Azerbaijan imposed a nine-month blockade of the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor, the only route connecting Artsakh to the outside world.
Even the assurance from Russia would say is "token" enough to say "they able to help unlike most of the west", but most are deprived of food, necessary supplies, medical and emergency care. Thankfully there are those who able to show concern to these affected thousands in those times of crisis, providing assistance in any form to alleviate their suffering, nonewithstanding the fear as Azeris, chanting the return of their "Nagorno Kabarakh" to the homeland wanted to expand in the name of "Greater Azerbaijan" that includes Hayastan itself.
But, will the Armenians just accept it? Unless that person happens to be supportive of Pashinyan, but people should recall the words of Raffi, a renowned writer and Armenian nationalist, whose message still hold true today as did in 1915. He ingrained the values of education, independence, love of nation, and freedom in the Armenian mind. He urged the people of Hayastan to arm themselves and protect themselves. "Don't count on others to stand up for you!" he said.
For sure the entire world only sees the humanitarian crisis over Ukraine and in Gaza Strip, while being mum over Artsakh. Sometimes this writer would wonder why the mum? Just because the war on Ukraine or that of Gaza Strip affects the flow of grains, oil, and gas around the globe? But how about the lives of many who demand justice and self-determination as a community? The situation in Artsakh is no different from what happened in Donbas and other provinces in Ukraine, Gaza Strip in Palestine, or even the Jewish communities in Israel! "Never Again!" said these Armenian folks as they remember the genocide of 1915, as they're willing to take the bitter cup of sacrifice while preparing the weapon and fight back not to repeat the tragedy if not to win back their homeland, their community, their honour as an entity.
Hayastan must avenge the sorrow, suffering, and death of its people who were forced to abandon Artsakh. The victim's finest retribution is to seek and obtain the justice they deserve. Armenia must hold President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani government accountable for their criminal conduct by requesting that Azerbaijan be prosecuted for war crimes and genocide by the International Criminal Court; as well as President Pashinyan and his incompetence, preferring to sell its compatriots to the dogs. Armenians have a moral commitment to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to make its adversaries pay for the atrocities they have committed against the people. Artsakh's suffering is also Hayastan's and even the world's suffering, and Artsakh's future also intertwines with that of Hayastan, and even the world.
The news may blare through and through that the war has ended, but for Artsakh and Hayastan, the battle has only just begun.