Eyewitness to Armenians displaced from their homes – WCC delegation

Hundreds of ethnic Armenians, that are the majority population in the enclave of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), have been arriving into Armenia in response to shelling by Azerbaijan’s armed forces on 19 September 2023. 

In Armenia, the churches, the government, and local and international organizations are working to provide for the care and support of the mainly women and children refugees who have endured a humanitarian aid blockade over the past year.

A ceasefire agreement outlined by Azerbaijan and the Russian Defence Ministry was announced on 20 September 2023. It requires the complete disarmament of the ethnic Armenian forces of Nagorno-Karabakh. The agreement provides for Azerbaijan’s assumption of control of the entire region after a decades-long conflict over the status of the territory.

A World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation was at the border of the disputed region when the armed attacks occurred.

“We were witness to the dramatic events of 19-20 September 2023”, said WCC general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, “and we are gravely concerned for the welfare of the people of the region after months of what was effectively a blockade of humanitarian supplies and essential services, compounded now by the impacts of the very recent armed violence.”

Armenian Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, also part of the visiting WCC delegation and the vice moderator of the WCC central committee, appealed to the international community and all people of goodwill to “stand with the Armenian people in this time of displacement and dispossession.”

He stressed, “The events of the last few days bring back terrible, painful memories of the tragedies endured by the Armenian nation throughout its history and make us afraid for the future of our people and our unique ancient Christian culture.”

WCC general secretary Pillay explained, “In the next days and weeks, the WCC will be consulting closely with its counterparts in the international community on the evolving situation in the region and remaining in prayerful solidarity with its member church, the Armenian Apostolic Church and ecumenical partners in Armenia.”

Report: WCC delegation visit to Armenia, 18-22 September 2023 | WCC - Oikoumene.org