Preserving Identity Amid the Loss of Cultural Heritage
Violated Rights and the Preservation of Identity on the Path to Cultural Heritage Destruction
Following the most recent war in Artsakh, the entire territory of Artsakh was occupied. Alongside cities and villages, numerous spiritual centers, educational institutions, and historical monuments fell under enemy control. The preservation of history and identity has been placed in jeopardy. Confronted with the threat of cultural heritage loss, we now stand at a crossroads between preserving our past and identity or allowing them to be forgotten. The Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, emphasizes that our identity is inherently tied to these monuments and churches:
Due to Azerbaijani vandalism, even cemeteries are being desecrated and destroyed. The demolition of the Ghazanchetsots and Old Cemeteries in Shushi began as early as October 2023. Within nearly a month, the Azerbaijani side, using specialized machinery, obliterated two historical cemeteries in Shushi. On April 4, 2024, the Ghazanchetsots Cemetery in Shushi was completely demolished.
A video circulated on an Azerbaijani YouTube channel showed Azerbaijanis carrying out certain activities in the memorial complex in Haterk village of the Martakert region, a site dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Artsakh War. The footage also showed work tools and gas cylinders placed on memorial stones. As the video progresses, it becomes clear that this cemetery, too, has fallen victim to Azerbaijani vandalism.
All these destructive actions carried out by Azerbaijan are directly linked to human rights violations. The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, underscores that the protection of historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage is also a matter of human rights:
— According to numerous conventions, both religious structures and, for instance, family cemeteries fall under direct protection. The protection of cemeteries within the framework of these conventions is part of the right to family life. This means that individuals have the right to access and preserve the memory of their loved ones. Similarly, the preservation of churches and religious freedom does not merely imply the right to belong to a particular faith or religion but also ensures unobstructed access to places of worship and the ability to practice one's religious freedom. All of this undeniably falls within the scope of the right to identity preservation.
The Human Rights Defender further states that since 2020, efforts have been made to involve UNESCO in monitoring the preservation of Armenian historical and cultural heritage sites that came under Azerbaijani control. The goal was to establish an independent international expert group to visit and assess the situation on the ground. However, even UNESCO has publicly declared that Azerbaijan has refused to cooperate and has prevented these visits from taking place.
Despite this, Azerbaijan has continued—and continues—to erase, destroy, desecrate, and attempt to appropriate all Armenian heritage in Artsakh, either by claiming it as part of another nation’s history or branding it as Azerbaijani. The fate of many churches in Artsakh remains unknown. Some churches still stand, while many have already fallen victim to Azerbaijani vandalism.
The Church of St. John the Baptist in Shushi, commonly known as Kanach Zham, was built in 1818. Until the war in 2020, it was one of the two functioning churches in the city. It was located in the western part of the city, on a high plateau offering a panoramic view of Shushi. Immediately after the 2020 war, Kanach Zham was blown up. The dome and bell tower were severely damaged. Today, Azerbaijani authorities, baselessly denying the church’s Armenian identity and rejecting previous renovations, have undertaken efforts to “convert” the structure into a Russian church.
The Holy Ascension Church of Berdzor, the only church in the city, was completed in 1998. It remained intact even after the 44-day war and for some time thereafter. However, in 2022, an Azerbaijani organization calling itself the "Public Union for the Protection of Monuments" announced its intention to convert the church into a mosque. Then, on May 11, 2024, a satellite image surfaced online, clearly showing that the church had been completely destroyed.
On August 25, 2022, during the evacuation of 47 cultural monuments, including khachkars, memorial stones, busts, and fountains, certain elements of the Holy Ascension Church of Berdzor were also relocated. Following this, the Azerbaijani media actively discussed the evacuation of these monuments, with some accusing Armenia of “looting” the Holy Ascension Church. This accusation became one of the main reasons why an official from the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports refused to disclose any information regarding the cultural heritage sites of Artsakh that had fallen under Azerbaijani control. According to the official, significant efforts are being made to find solutions to the problem, but publicly sharing details could hinder ongoing processes. When asked whether there were updated figures on the cultural artifacts removed from the occupied territories, the official stated that even mentioning a number was impossible since Azerbaijan is closely monitoring the situation and could use any information as grounds for accusations against Armenia.
Despite the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, Azerbaijan continues to deliberately destroy and distort Armenian historical and cultural heritage, even after the war’s end. Numerous monuments and khachkars have been completely demolished, often with photos and videos published on Azerbaijani websites showcasing their destruction. One such example was recorded in the village of Arakel in Hadrut, where footage showed an Azerbaijani military truck deliberately crushing a khachkar.
In the village of Getavan in the Martakert region, a monument honoring local freedom fighters who died defending their village was unveiled in 2016. The memorial plaques attached to the monument have since been completely destroyed by Azerbaijani forces, as evidenced by a video published in the Azerbaijani media.
Azerbaijan has also destroyed numerous statues and monuments in Stepanakert, including: The statue of Alexander Myasnikyan, a Soviet statesman and literary scholar. The bust of Admiral Ivan Isakov. The memorial plaque dedicated to Artsakh hero Ashot Ghulyan. The bust of General-Lieutenant Anatoly Zinevich, former Chief of Staff of the Artsakh Defense Army. The statue of Stepan Shahumyan in Stepanakert. The Eagle Monument in Stepanakert’s upper park.
Azerbaijan’s policy of destruction extends even to rural areas. The village of Karin Tak in the Shushi region has been completely leveled, including its historical districts, fountains, civilian infrastructure, and natural heritage. However, satellite images indicate that the 1841 Church of the Holy Mother of God remains standing, and no destruction has been observed in the village cemetery. (Image 1: 2021, Image 2: 2024).
Similarly, the village of Mokhrenes in the Hadrut region has been almost entirely destroyed. Satellite images show that most of the houses and other structures have been demolished. (Image 1: 2021, Image 2: 2024).
Despite numerous international conventions, Azerbaijan continues to violate fundamental rights and destroy Armenian heritage. However, efforts to hold Azerbaijan accountable persist. On October 23, 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution titled "On the Situation in Azerbaijan, Human Rights Violations, Breaches of International Law, and Relations with Armenia." The resolution includes key points regarding: The inviolability of Armenia’s borders and security issues. Azerbaijan’s threats against Armenia’s independence. Condemnation of Azerbaijan’s destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. Clause 9 of the resolution conditions any future EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement on the release of all political prisoners, implementation of legal reforms, and improvements in human rights. It also demands that Azerbaijan engage in genuine peace negotiations with Armenia and respect the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Clause 15 calls for full compliance with the rulings of the International Court of Justice, including its November 17, 2023, decision, and reiterates the demand for Azerbaijan to allow the safe return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, providing strong guarantees for the protection of their rights, including land and property rights.
