War Crimes Committed by Azerbaijan during 2020 Artsakh Invasion

HAYREN 18 April 2021

Video by: Anna Grigorian
Script by: Nuard Tadevosyan

On September 27th, 2020, the government of Azerbaijan launched a full-scale military invasion on the independent state of Artsakh.

Artsakh is a small state made up of 150,000 ethnic Armenians, who are indigenous to the land.

Azerbaijan’s military was backed by Turkey, who sent thousands of Syrian mercenaries to push Armenians from their native lands.

War Crimes Committed:

• Innocent and peaceful civilians were targeted with internationally forbidden violence.
• Dozens of cities and villages were targeted: Stepanakert, Shushi, Martuni, Hadrut, Vardenis, Martakert, Gegharkunik, and Knaravan.
• All of these cities and villages were miles away from the conflict zone.
• The government of Azerbaijan sent tanks, drones, missiles, heavy artillery, and cluster bombs to inhabited residences, schools, religious centres, and kindergartens.
• Azerbaijan’s military forces destroyed hospitals, maternity wards, ambulances, fire trucks, and health centres.
• Indiscriminate bombing reached cultural centres, places of worship, monuments, and ancient archaeological sites.
• Members of Azerbaijan’s military dressed in the uniforms of Artsakh’s land defenders in order to deceive humanitarian aid.
• Journalists documenting Azerbaijan’s unlawful force on the innocent civilians of Artsakh were targeted.
• Artsakh’s highland forests, home to diverse wildlife, were burned by Azerbaijan’s use of white phosphorus.
• Azerbaijan’s military has captured many Artsakh civilians, as well as land defenders.
• Women, children, and the elderly are brutalized, tortured, and murdered in captivity.
• Hundreds of videos showing the inhumane treatment of Armenian prisoners are circulating onto social media … filmed and uploaded by the perpetrators.
• Syrian mercenaries were offered a sum of $100 for every severed head.
• Unknown dozens of Armenians — defenders and civilians alike — continue to be held by Azerbaijan. The fates of many are unknown.
• Over 100,000 civilians are currently left without homes, some without adequate shelter.

Mounting anti-Armenian rhetoric in Azerbaijan has resulted in these innumerable attempts at ethnic cleansing.

A ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2020, but Azerbaijan’s government continues to deny its own crimes against humanity … despite overwhelming evidence.

Azerbaijan’s countless crimes against humanity remain ignored.

Artsakh’s right to self-determination has been deeply violated … and its people are on the brink of extermination.