stepan

[Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @NYCMayor]

Today marks the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As we honor the 1.5 million Armenians murdered by the Ottoman Empire across modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Armenia, we must refuse to let history repeat itself.

In 2020, the military forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey attacked the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2023, Azerbaijan expelled over 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, continuing the genocidal campaign that had begun over 100 years prior.

On this day of remembrance, we reaffirm the right of the Armenian people — and all people — to freedom, safety, and self-determination.

[Seyed Abbas Araghchi @araghchi]

ՀՀ կառավարության և ժողովրդի աջակցությունը Իրանի ժողովրդին` իրանցիների տեղափոխման և մարդասիրական օգնության հարցերում, մեծ գնահատանքի է արժանի։ Իրանի և Հայաստանի դարավոր կապը դժվար պահին կրկին ցույց տվեց իր ամրությունը, և եղբայրական այս քայլերը կմնան Իրանի ժողովրդի հիշողության մեջ։

[stepan @stepankhach]

Today, we remember the victims of the Sumgait #Genocide. 38 years ago, Armenians were targeted and killed by #Azerbaijan in a wave of ethnic violence that remains a deep wound in our history. We honor the memory of those lost and stand in solidarity with the survivors.

[CIVILNET @CivilNetTV]

Ruben Vardanyan forced to attend court sessions in Baku despite worsening health condition #shorts
@RubenVardanyan_

[Aznavour Foundation @AznavourFound]

To the International Community:  
As major Armenian diasporan organizations worldwide and NGOs working in the Republic of Armenia, we the undersigned, are writing to urge you to take immediate action to end Azerbaijan’s political persecution of Ruben Vardanyan, a globally-respected Armenian philanthropist and native of Armenia.  
Now 18 months into captivity, under wretched conditions and charged with committing crimes against the Azerbaijani state by standing on the side of the Armenians of Nagorno- Karabagh during the 2020 war and its aftermath, Mr. Vardanyan recently went on a hunger strike. His intention is to underscore the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further violations of his basic human right to a fair trial that conforms with international laws of justice.   
During a brief phone call with his family from a Baku prison on February 19, 2025, Mr. Vardanyan cited Azerbaijan’s blatant violations of due process and international standards. He highlighted serious procedural violations that have tainted the proceedings and reaffirmed that his persecution is part of a broader effort to criminalize Armenians who have supported or shown solidarity with the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabagh (also referred to as Artsakh in the Armenian language.)  
Mr. Vardanyan outlined his ill-treatment in detention, how he has been coerced to sign falsified case materials, and denied the right to prepare a defense, just to name a few of Azerbaijan's tactics to undermine his human rights and render his conviction a foregone conclusion.  
Regrettably, Mr. Vardanyan's previous appeal to international organizations and the media regarding the gross human rights violations against Armenian detainees went unanswered, leading to even graver consequences. His current hunger strike is not only a protest but a dire warning—continued silence and inaction will only worsen the plight of Armenian prisoners of war and detained civilians illegally held by Azerbaijan. 
We strongly urge you to take a resolute stance against the Aliyev regime to defend justice, human dignity, and the rule of law, before it’s too late. We ask you to demand:  
• Justice for all Armenian political prisoners and prisoners of war illegally held in Baku    
• An immediate and thorough investigation into the mistreatment of Ruben Vardanyan and the ongoing violations of his human rights to a fair trial 
• Transparency and accountability in judicial proceedings by ensuring access for independent international observers and legal representatives 
• Urgent action to compel Azerbaijan to uphold its international obligations and end the politically-motivated persecution of Armenian citizens 
We look forward to your decisive action in addressing this urgent matter and would greatly appreciate your reporting your efforts and findings to us in a timely manner.  
Respectfully yours,  
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
Aznavour Foundation
Afeyan Foundation
“ARBANE” Pan-Armenian Projects Foundation
H. Hovnanian Family Foundation
Orran
Teach For Armenia
The Armenian Legal Defense Front
Tufenkian Foundation
We Are Our Mountains

[MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 @MFAofArmenia]

❗️The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of #Armenia continues to draw the attention of the int’l community, particularly of partners interested in peace in the region & valuing humanitarian principles, to the issue of the release of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages & other detained individuals held in #Azerbaijan, as well as the staged trials against some of them, which are being conducted with gross procedural violations & clear signs of torture.

There is deep concern over the publications of photos & videos from the “trials” of 23 Armenian #POWs, hostages & other detainees, as well as the alarming reports from their lawyers regarding coercion, torture & the evident deterioration of their health, including that of Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently on a hunger strike.

This pattern of conduct is further substantiated by the concerns expressed by the @UN Committee Against Torture, the documented cases of torture of Armenian prisoners of war reported by @hrw & other organizations, as well as Azerbaijan’s persistent evasion of coordinated cooperation with int’l bodies, including the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture & Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Government of Armenia continues to receive reports of the use of prohibited measures against Armenian prisoners of war, hostages & other detainees.

📢 In the absence of a final resolution to the issue, 🇦🇲 cannot remain indifferent or uninvolved therefore, & will continue to raise the matter on various platforms & in different formats, expecting solutions & positive progress.

Full statement: 🔗 https://t.co/JZf2d60jA9

[MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 @MFAofArmenia]

During these days in 1988, from February 27 to 29, a series of atrocities were carried out in city of #Sumgait in #Azerbaijan which marked the beginning of large-scale massacres against #Armenians in that country, openly orchestrated & sponsored by the state, turning decades of pressure & persecution into overt & widespread violence.

The mass murders & torture of citizens of Armenian origin in Sumgait continued with the same patterns & horrifying brutality in #Baku, #Kirovabad & #Maragha. As a result of these events, hundreds of Armenians were killed & around half a million were forcibly displaced. The cycles of violence persisted until as recently as September 2023, when the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh was completely subjected to ethnic cleansing.

🕯️As we recall these events, each year we pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims.

At the same time, we believe that these are not merely dates of remembrance but moments to reaffirm the necessity of overcoming enmity to #prevent the recurrence of such tragedies in the future.

[European Union Mission in Armenia @EUmARMENIA]

EUMA patrolled along the AM-AZ border all day long, everything is calm and quiet, no unusual movements observed. EUMA wishes everybody a peaceful Easter! ✨

[European Union Mission in Armenia @EUmARMENIA]

On 31 March, EUMA dispatched patrols on 🇦🇲side of🇦🇲-🇦🇿 border to monitor & report on any out of the ordinary military movements in the border area. All patrols reported that the situation has been calm & quiet & that no such movements have been observed ➡️https://t.co/vkYe1SSPTH

[301🇦🇲 @301arm]

The Austrian Parliament unanimously passed a resolution condemning the ethnic cleansing conducted by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on October 19th. This decision was communicated by the Armenian Embassy in Austria.

The resolution, which received support from all five factions of the legislative assembly, strongly urged the Austrian federal government to condemn Azerbaijan's military actions that led to the mass displacement of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Artsakh.

The resolution emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of remaining ethnic Armenians in Artsakh, as well as those who wish to return, and it called for the implementation of International Court decisions concerning free movement through the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor.

Furthermore, the Austrian federal government was called upon to ensure the unimpeded access of international humanitarian organizations to Artsakh and to protect the region's cultural heritage and churches.

Additionally, the resolution voiced support for providing necessary resources to Armenia, which is regarded as a priority country for Austrian development cooperation, to contribute to the stabilization of the humanitarian situation. This resolution underscores Austria's commitment to addressing the issues and challenges in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

[stepan @stepankhach]

If power of 🇦🇿 was enough to defeat 🇦🇲 in 2020, so why 🇮🇱 is still arming azeris?
It seems that not so many happy days are waiting for the common people of Azerbaijan

[UNICEF @UNICEF]

Refugee children arriving in Armenia are showing signs of severe psychological distress.

More than 30,000 children have fled their homes since the escalation of hostilities in their communities two weeks ago.

https://t.co/FVrRzXJHN7

[IRNA News Agency ☫ @IrnaEnglish]

Raisi: Any geopolitical change in Caucasus harmful to regional countries’ interests
https://t.co/g6ibQKOMqb

[stepan @stepankhach]

@HikmetHajiyev if there is no ethnic cleansing, than no Armenian home should be occupied by azeris. Maybe Armenians left their houses for family reasons and will be back in a few weeks.
Is your house stolen when you are on a business trip according Azerbaijani law?

[stepan @stepankhach]

This is "safe" Azerbaijan which offers #terroristaliev

[stepan @stepankhach]

#terroristaliev guarantees Armenians to stay in #Artsakh

[Fehim Işık @Fehim_Isik]

Bu da mı yalan?
Ermeni dede ile torununu silahlarla katledenler Azeri askerler değil mi?
Görüntünün dün ya da bugün olması hiç önemli değil.
Önemli olan insanlıktan nasibini almamış barbarların insanlık suçu işlemesidir.
Lânet gelsin bu barbarlığa...

[CBC News @CBCNews]

Ethnic Armenian refugees began to leave Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday for the first time since Azerbaijan launched an offensive designed to seize control of the breakaway territory and perhaps end a three-decade-old conflict. https://t.co/y347rbHGtT

[stepan @stepankhach]

This is #azeri like human being.
#warcrime #humanitarian #crisis

[Suleyman Suleymanli @BloggerSuleyman]

ATTENTION!ATTENTION: Images you have not seen anywhere else. Be sure to watch, support and share so that the Aliyev regime cannot delete the video. It doesn’t matter what kind of war it is, it is dishonorable to do this to weak, unarmed and wounded soldiers. See what terrorist Aliyev is doing to wounded and weak soldiers? O Armenian people, do you still believe that Aliyev is a humanist? Aliyev sends aid to Karabagh Armenians and then does the same on the front. is this humanism? where international organizations? where are the human rights organizations? is that human?
#Armenia 🇦🇲 #Azerbaijan🇦🇿 #NoWar #Stop #Aliyev‘s #Terror
@POTUS @SecBlinken @amnesty @hrw @UN @UNHumanRights @freedomhouse @SEMIGRATION @EmmanuelMacron @DTX_Azerbaijan @polisazerbaycan @prokurorluq @azpresident @1VicePresident @NikolPashinyan

[Secretary Antony Blinken @SecBlinken]

I spoke to Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan today to express our concern for the protection of the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The United States will continue its steadfast support for Armenia and its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

[301🇦🇲 @301arm]

During the past 48 hours, there have been countless reports coming from Artsakh of atrocities and executions including women and children. While we wait for official information, there has been a stream of horrific videos being shared by Azerbaijani channels. These videos show the absolute disregard for innocent life and the brutality and intention of the Azerbaijani military.

Prior to today’s emergency UN meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently stating during his official announcement that there are no direct threats to the civilian population in NK—an irresponsible assessment which was also used by Azerbaijan to shut down any opposition among UN members.

Prime Minister Pashinyan’s statement:

“We believe that the people of Nagorno-Karabagh should live in stable, secure conditions. We think that the Armenians in Artsakh should live in worthy, safe conditions. Now, at the moment, our assessment is that there is no direct threat to the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabagh.”