Artsakh Parliament Factions Condemn Pashinyan’s Remarks on Displaced Artsakh Armenianas
23 March 2026
Factions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh have issued a joint statement condemning remarks made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh, describing his statements as divisive and unacceptable.
In their statement, the parliamentary factions criticized such rhetoric at the level of a state leader, arguing that it contradicts the principles of national unity. They stressed that disparaging people from Artsakh is degrading and distorts reality, pointing to the forced displacement of thousands who were driven from their homeland under existential threat.
The factions stated that using the dignity of displaced Armenians for political purposes is unacceptable. They further argued that portraying their rights as “unrealistic” or a “delusion” serves to justify inaction and policy failures rather than address the issue.
The statement reaffirmed that the right of return for the people of Artsakh is fundamental and non-negotiable, emphasizing that it cannot be invalidated by political statements or expediency.
Lawmakers also rejected what they described as attempts to frame state support for displaced Artsakh Armenians as an “unprecedented burden” on Armenia’s budget, stressing that national solidarity must not be portrayed as a debt or used as a tool for pressure.
The factions called for an immediate end to such rhetoric and urged officials to refrain from statements that deepen divisions within society. They warned that remarks made at the highest levels of government carry long-term consequences, for which responsibility will ultimately be judged by history.
The statement was jointly issued by the Free Homeland–United Civic Alliance, United Homeland, Justice, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, and the Artsakh Democratic Party.
