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Azerbaijan's Capture of Karabakh: Legal and Political Dimensions of the Armenian Exodus
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DARYUSH ABDOLLAHI   , NOZAR SHAFIEE , RAHMAT HAJIMINEH |
| Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch , darush.abd@hotmail.com |
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Abstract: (15 Views) |
| On September 19, 2023, the Republic of Azerbaijan launched a short military operation that brought the Nagorno-Karabakh region—administered for more than three decades by the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh with Armenian support—under its full control. These developments triggered the displacement of over 120,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia, an event interpreted by some states and international organizations as ethnic cleansing and forced migration. This study seeks to address the central question: Does the mass departure of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh constitute ethnic cleansing by the Azerbaijani state? Employing a descriptive-analytical and qualitative methodology, the findings indicate that the large-scale exodus was primarily driven by feelings of insecurity, fear of Azerbaijani control, and psychological concerns related to military presence, rather than evidence of systematic state-led policies of forced displacement, genocide, or ethnic cleansing. While Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized under international law and United Nations resolutions as part of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory, the Azerbaijani government remains legally obliged to ensure safe return, protect citizenship rights, and provide security guarantees for displaced Armenians. The results highlight the critical importance of safeguarding human rights, upholding territorial integrity, and fostering constructive engagement between conflicting communities as prerequisites for resolving ethnic and regional disputes. |
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| Keywords: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Karabakh, Mass Migration, Ethnic Cleansing |
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Full-Text [PDF 658 kb]
(15 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/10/2 | Published: 2024/12/30
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