Catholicos warns of heritage destruction at Bern conference

PanARMENIAN.Net - At the initiative of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the World Council of Churches and the Protestant Church of Switzerland organized an international conference in Bern from May 26 to 28 titled “Religious Freedom: Preserving Armenian Spiritual, Cultural and Historical Heritage in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh.”

In his opening message, Karekin II stressed the urgency of preserving Artsakh’s spiritual, cultural, and historical legacy, emphasizing that its displaced people have been stripped of their right to live, create, and sustain their centuries-old faith-driven culture on their native land.

He noted that vital border territories of Armenia are under occupation and that new demands are being raised during the peace treaty process.

“Since the 44-day war of 2020 and the large-scale military operations of 2023, Artsakh has been seized and completely depopulated of Armenians. Significant border areas of the Republic of Armenia are now occupied, and new demands are being made in peace negotiations. Azerbaijan continues to detain Artsakh’s political leaders, civilians, and prisoners of war, subjecting them to staged, illegitimate trials in blatant violation of international law. These atrocities and humiliations are clearly rooted in ethnic hatred and Armenophobia, fueling attacks on the Armenian people's spiritual and cultural legacy,” the Catholicos said.

He emphasized that the Armenians of Artsakh have lived with dignity on their ancestral lands for centuries, faithful to their identity and enriching global culture.

Even after the occupation of Artsakh, the destruction of Armenian historical structures, Christian sites, rural settlements, and cemeteries continues under Azerbaijani authorities. According to Karekin II, Azerbaijan is deliberately trying to rebrand Artsakh’s Armenian heritage as Caucasian Albanian, erasing its true roots.

He criticized Azerbaijan for ignoring international appeals, rejecting the 2022 European Parliament resolution No. 2582 on heritage destruction in Nagorno-Karabakh, and refusing UNESCO’s proposal to assess the state of Armenian monuments in the region. He also condemned the involvement of the Caucasus Muslim Board’s leader Allahshukur Pashazadeh in anti-Armenian propaganda.

He recalled that the same pattern of hatred led to the destruction of Armenian sites in Nakhichevan, including the leveling of around 6,000 khachkars (cross-stones) in Old Julfa in 2005.

“Cultural crimes know no borders—they arise wherever human and national rights are violated, where intolerance reigns, and where spiritual values are disregarded. These acts are crimes not only against one nation but against humanity,” he added.

Karekin II warned that impunity for such crimes fosters a climate of permissiveness that could inspire similar or worse acts elsewhere in the world.

He concluded that protecting cultural heritage is not only a sacred duty but a necessity for preserving the history, faith, and identity of peoples.

“In today’s world, such horrific crimes against humanity must not be tolerated. Conflicts between nations should be resolved through peace, justice, and mutual respect for national identity and dignity,” he said.

In his closing remarks, he praised the conference’s organization and expressed hope that international institutions and states will take appropriate steps to protect Artsakh’s spiritual heritage, ensure the safe return of Artsakh Armenians, and secure the release of Armenian POWs.

He thanked Christian sister churches and ecumenical organizations for their support and commitment to defending the Armenian people and the rights of Artsakh, wishing success to the conference.