World’s silence leads to destruction of Armenian heritage — Catholicos Karekin II

At an international conference in Bern, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II called on the global community to pay attention to the destruction of the Armenian Christian and cultural heritage in Artsakh. He emphasized that Artsakh has been occupied since 2020, following Azerbaijan’s aggression with Turkey’s support, and that in 2023, the Armenian population was displaced.

The Catholicos highlighted the cruelty towards Armenian captives in Baku, the violation of their rights and international norms, as well as the targeted destruction of Armenian monuments, settlements, churches and cemeteries. According to him, the silence of the world community leads to impunity and new crimes. Azerbaijan exhibits the same intolerance not only towards Armenians but also towards Armenian heritage in the occupied territories. The Catholicos also specified that the protection of cultural values is a vital necessity for preserving the faith, values and identity of the peoples.

The conference, organized by the World Council of Churches and the Protestant Church in Switzerland at the suggestion of the head of the Armenian Church, served as another effort to draw international attention to the urgent need to safeguard Armenian heritage and prevent its destruction.