Since the 27th of September, the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Artsakh as it is known in Armenian, has escalated to the highest intensity since the signing of the ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 1994. According to the latest reports, over 200 people, including civilians, have been killed. This breach of the ceasefire comes following Azerbaijan’s attacks on Armenia proper in the province of Tavush, in July, as well as the Azerbaijani government’s blocking of social media in the country, and Turkey’s deployment of hundreds of Syrian mercenaries to Azerbaijan before the breach of the ceasefire. These reports, which have been independently verified by international journalist media, suggest that the breach of the ceasefire was planned in advance by Azerbaijan, with support from Turkey.

We, socialist youth of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have been following these developments closely. We condemn the breach of the ceasefire. We condemn the use of heavy artillery against civilian populations, such as in Stepanakert. We condemn the spread of ultranationalist propaganda in order to advance the war. We condemn Azerbaijan’s barring of foreign journalists from entering the country. We also condemn the violent rhetoric employed by the Azerbaijani and Turkish leaders, who have called Armenia the “biggest threat to peace in the region”, and stated that Armenians do not belong in the region.

We respect the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. They are currently caught in the middle of a war that hurts them more than anyone else. We call on the resumption of peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which must include the representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh. We also call upon the international community to call for de-escalation and support a peaceful resolution of this conflict, with full respect for the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Our values compel us to advocate for a peaceful solution to this decades-old conflict. This war can have no winners, and history has shown that this violence only destabilises the situation and deepens the rift between Azerbaijanis and Armenians. We stand in solidarity with the victims of this conflict.

Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes de France
Jonge Socialisten in de PvdA (Netherlands)
Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes de Belgique
Jongsocialisten van Belgïe