“Let’s simulate such a situation… we see that a mosque has been built in Artsvashen… what should we do?” This is how Nikol Pashinyan responded to the question regarding the destruction of Armenian churches in Stepanakert.
A serious narrative gap is formed in this speech of Pashinyan.
The hypothetical example presented regarding Artswashen cannot be compared with the reality formed in Stepanakert and Artsakh in general. There we are talking about the systematic destruction of cultural heritage. Demolition, modification of churches or changing their identity under the name of “renovation” are considered cultural vandalism from the point of view of international law.
International norms are unambiguous. regardless of the legal regime of ownership, the state is obliged to preserve the existing religious and cultural values in the territory under its control. This means that even within the scope of the given example, the mosque cannot be subject to destruction.
However, it is precisely this hypothetical structure that unintentionally creates the impression of false symmetry, as if the situations are equivalent. Meanwhile, they are not equivalent.
Identifying Arsvashen and Nagorno Karabakh is not only historically groundless, but also politically dangerous. Even during the Soviet period, Nagorno-Karabakh had an institutional feature with an autonomous status, while Artsvashen was an ordinary enclave. Ignoring this difference weakens Armenia’s arguments on international platforms.
In general, these “comparisons” of Pashinyan are false and unscientific.
The processes taking place in Stepanakert and other settlements of Artsakh have no equivalence with the hypothetical example of Artsvashen. They are policies aimed at the systematic elimination of historical memory and identity.
Pashinyan’s statement is highly vulnerable because it creates a false equality between the hypothetical and the actual.
Political scientist Suren Surenyants
—
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Hovhannisian John. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/04/30/false-symmetry-how-does-artsvashen-become-a-justification-for-the-vandalism-of-stepanakert/