Headline: Armenian Genocide Denial and Historical Neglect Fuel Ongoing Threats to Armenian Identity On the eve of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan’s destruction of the Holy Mother of God Cathedral in occupied Stepanakert has reignited concerns about the continued threat to Armenian communities. The act, described as a deliberate and calculated effort to erase Armenian cultural and religious heritage, mirrors the tactics used by Ottoman forces a century ago to annihilate the Armenian population. The editorial highlights how Azerbaijan has systematically employed violence, including Soviet-era pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad, Baku, Maragha, Shahumian, and other regions, to suppress Armenian presence. These actions culminated in the 2020 Artsakh War, during which Azerbaijan imposed a complete blockade on Artsakh, leading to the forced displacement of its entire Armenian population. The editorial criticizes the international community for its passive response to these atrocities, noting that statements of “deep concern” and vague condemnations have failed to hold Azerbaijan accountable. Instead, such rhetoric has emboldened the country to pursue its objectives without facing consequences. The piece argues that the failure to address historical injustices has created a vacuum of accountability, allowing Azerbaijan to continue its campaign of ethnic erasure. This neglect is compounded by the Armenian government’s own approach under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which the editorial deems dangerously dismissive of the past. Pashinyan’s administration has been accused of fostering a culture of denial, using terms like “Medz Yeghern” (Great Calamity) to describe the 1915 events while simultaneously downplaying the historical significance of the Armenian Genocide.#azerbaijan #stepanakert #nikol_pashinyan #artsakh_war #armenian_genocide
