Azerbaijan: We Do Not Want Mass Migration of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh

The Azerbaijani ambassador to Britain stated on Thursday, October 6, that Baku does not want mass migration of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and does not encourage anyone to leave the region. The Russian news agency RIA reported that more than 70,000 people had fled from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia by early Thursday afternoon. Previously, the Armenian population in this region was estimated to be around 120,000. Many of those leaving have expressed fears of harassment and 'ethnic cleansing' by Azerbaijani forces. Some critics have stated that the mass migration, which has caused traffic jams, indicates how much distrust many Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have towards Azerbaijan's promises. Critics argue that the mass migration of Armenians from historic lands is exactly what Baku wants, as it would make it easier for Azerbaijan to resettle the region with Azerbaijanis. According to Reuters, Elin Suleymanov, the Azerbaijani ambassador in London, stated that his country has not yet had the opportunity to prove its real commitment to providing safe and better living conditions for Armenians. He called on Armenians to stay in Nagorno-Karabakh and be part of a multi-ethnic Azerbaijan through a social media post. Baku regained control of the region after months of blocking the road from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and through military operations. Armenian separatists in the region had resisted Azerbaijani control for nearly three decades. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Earlier, Samantha Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, who visited Armenia and Azerbaijan and met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, stated that she had heard 'very concerning reports of violence against Armenian civilians.' Azerbaijan's use of force to control Nagorno-Karabakh has raised concerns among some in Armenia that the country might use force to create a land corridor from Armenian territory to connect with its autonomous region of Nakhchivan, potentially leading to another war. American lawmakers have expressed serious concerns about Azerbaijan's actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. In Europe, Canada, and the U.S., calls for sanctions against Baku have been made. Armenian officials have described what has happened in Nagorno-Karabakh as 'ethnic cleansing' by Azerbaijan, an accusation that Baku denies. Azerbaijani officials have also guaranteed the security of Armenians in the region. Fears of ethnic cleansing; more than 47,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh have sought refuge in Armenia. Azerbaijani forces have arrested the former leader of the separatist government of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Prime Minister of Armenia stated that 'ethnic cleansing' is ongoing in Nagorno-Karabakh. A senior U.S. official stated that Baku should protect the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.