April 24 remains a day of remembrance for the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide for every citizen of Armenia, every Armenian.

Along with this, along with the historical tragedy, we are facing a new ontological danger.

● Occupation of sovereign territory and military aggression

As of February 2026, Azerbaijan’s armed forces illegally control more than 240 square kilometers of Armenian territory in Jermuk, Vardenis, Sisian, and Goris regions. Heavy military equipment is located right next to civilian settlements and civilian infrastructure, creating a direct threat to the lives of thousands of people.

● Ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh

In 2023, more than 100 thousand Armenians were forcibly expelled from Artsakh. International organizations have documented the blockade, bombings and organized ethnic cleansing.

● Denial of Armenians’ right to exist at the state level

The “Western Azerbaijan” project promoted by the Azerbaijani government is, in fact, a claim to the entire territory of Armenia. This demand is accompanied by rhetoric of hatred towards Armenians, dehumanization and open calls for the abolition of Armenian statehood.

● Destruction of Armenian cultural heritage

Armenian churches, khachkars, cemeteries and historical and cultural monuments are systematically destroyed in the occupied territories. This is a classic manifestation of cultural genocide with the aim of erasing the historical traces of Armenians.

● Hate propaganda at the state level

Enmity towards Armenians is systematically instilled in Azerbaijan’s school programs, state media and official statements. This creates the ground for new crimes.

The international community is silent, but we are obliged to speak out about these problems.

Today, some parts of the territory of the Republic of Armenia are already bleeding: Jermuk, Verin Shorzha, Nerkin Hand, Tigranashen, Verin Voskepar, Sofulu and Barkhudarlu.

The circle around Armenian statehood is tightening, we must prevent this danger today, keeping Armenia and the Armenian people away from new disasters.

Political scientist Suren Surenyants

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