At the June 2–3 OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in Vienna, Andranik Grigoryan, head of the Union for the Protection of the Rights of Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, presented a detailed report on Azerbaijan’s institutionalized Armenophobia and ethnic discrimination policies.

Speaking on the theme “Inclusion as a driver for tolerance and non-discrimination,” Grigoryan outlined Azerbaijan’s actions, including war crimes, ethnic cleansing, acts of genocide, forced displacement, and the destruction, appropriation, and distortion of Armenian cultural and historical heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Grigoryan emphasized that OSCE member states, including Azerbaijan, are bound by international legal standards to respect human rights and must refrain from discriminatory practices based on ethnicity or religion. He warned of Azerbaijan’s dangerous agenda to erase the Armenian presence and rebrand the region with a new Islamic identity.

He cited the International Court of Justice’s December 7, 2021 ruling, obligating Azerbaijan to prevent incitement to racial hatred and discrimination by state bodies or civil groups, and to preserve Armenian cultural sites while ensuring the humane treatment of captives.

Grigoryan also referenced European Parliament resolutions (2023/2119(INI), 2024/2890(RSP)), which condemned Azerbaijan for ethnic cleansing and grave human rights violations against Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population.

He urged the OSCE and international community to take decisive action to ensure the right of displaced Armenians to return, safeguard their dignity, and protect their property rights.

Grigoryan’s proposals included:

• Obligating Azerbaijan to protect the identity of displaced Armenians, recognizing the trauma of terror, war crimes, and torture they endured;
• Guaranteeing pilgrimage access to Armenian sanctuaries in Nagorno-Karabakh under international oversight and security norms;
• Ensuring civil, cultural, social, and religious rights for displaced persons, and eliminating rhetoric that incites discrimination against Armenians.