Karabakh refugees were surprised by the silence at COP17 on the issue of the right to return.

Karabakh politicians and activists expressed outrage at the silence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the rights of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. They also urged participants of the COP17 conference to pay attention to the environmental consequences of the forced displacement of the Armenian population from their lands.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", participants of the rally in Yerevan, against the backdrop of environmental demands, particularly the cessation of operations at the Amulsar mine for assessing environmental risks, pointed to the right of Karabakh refugees to return and preserve cultural heritage. The rally, timed to coincide with the COP17 Conference, took place under the slogan: "There is no protection of nature without human rights".

UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Yerevan on October 15-16 to participate in the biodiversity conference (COP17). On October 16, Guterres spoke at the "Leaders for Biodiversity" summit within the framework of COP17, News.Am reported.

In September 2023, following Azerbaijan's military operation on September 19-20, the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh was subjected to forced displacement to Armenia.

In a statement by the Public Council of Nagorno-Karabakh, released on October 18, it was noted that, "while speaking about the rights of indigenous peoples, the preservation of biodiversity, and the responsibility of the international community, Guterres did not mention the forced displacement of the Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)."

The Council emphasized that "the connection of Armenians of Artsakh with their native land, culture, and historical heritage is inseparable, and forced displacement represents not only a violation of human rights but also a threat to the preservation of this heritage," and reminded that "on November 17, 2023, the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the safe, unhindered, and rapid return of persons who left Artsakh and wish to return."

The Public Council called on the UN Secretary-General to "publicly affirm the right of Artsakh Armenians to safe, dignified, and voluntary return, as well as to facilitate the implementation of the International Court's decision and ensure that the rights of the people of Artsakh are not ignored in international processes aimed at establishing peace and protecting the environment."

"The rights of indigenous peoples cannot be protected selectively. We expect a clear public position and practical response from the UN Secretary-General," the statement emphasized.

With a call to "pay attention to the ecological and biocultural consequences of the forced displacement of the Armenian population of Artsakh," the acting chairman of the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh Gagik Bagunts addressed the participants of COP17.

Bagunts emphasized in his address that "the preservation of biodiversity cannot be considered separately from the protection of human rights, cultural continuity, and traditional knowledge of the indigenous population of the region," and called on participants of COP17 to "consider the consequences of the displacement of Armenians of Artsakh, ensure the participation of representatives of displaced communities in environmental initiatives and ecosystem restoration programs, and continue discussions on protecting their housing, property, and cultural rights within international mechanisms."

"The forced displacement of the Armenian population of Artsakh poses a fundamental problem for the preservation of biodiversity and the associated traditional knowledge, as its bearers are deprived of their natural connection to their historical places of residence. We urge participants of COP-17 to consider this issue in the context of the interconnection between biodiversity conservation, cultural continuity, and human rights, as well as from the perspective of ensuring the collective, unhindered, and safe right of Armenians of Artsakh to return to their historical homeland," emphasized Gagik Bagunts.

In a joint appeal, political analyst, head of the NGO MediaStep Naira Airumyan and head of the NGO for the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians "Krunk" Mariam Avagyan called on participants of COP17 to "pay attention to the ecological consequences of the forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh."

Airumyan and Avagyan stated that "the deportation of Armenians from Artsakh has led to the rupture of centuries-old traditions of natural resource management and jeopardized the unique biocultural system of the region, including agriculture, forests, pastures, water resources, shrines, and related cultural practices."

Citing the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the authors emphasized "the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as their participation in decision-making regarding the environment."

Airumyan and Avagyan called on participants of COP17 to "consider the restoration of biodiversity in Artsakh in the context of the right of Armenians to return to their homeland and the protection of natural ecosystems," stressing that "the loss of traditional practices of natural resource management can have long-term consequences for the entire region."

"The forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh has led not only to the loss of their homes and cultural heritage but also to the rupture of centuries-old ties with the natural environment. For millennia, local communities have carefully used and preserved natural resources, passing down traditional knowledge and practices of natural resource management from generation to generation. After their expulsion, this system of interaction between humans and ecosystems is under threat, which can have long-term consequences for biodiversity and ecological balance in the region," noted the head of the NGO for the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians "Krunk" Mariam Avagyan.

Armenians of Artsakh were forced to leave not only their homes, churches, and places where their ancestors lived but also the native nature with which they had been connected for millennia. For them, the land is not just territory, forests, rivers, and pastures. It is part of life, memory, and culture that they have carefully preserved and passed down from generation to generation.

Along with the people from Artsakh, knowledge of their native land, traditions of agriculture, water use, and care for nature were lost. This connection was formed over centuries, and its loss is not only a tragedy for the people themselves but also a serious threat to the natural and cultural heritage of the region. It is impossible to talk about the preservation of biodiversity while forgetting the people who have lived in harmony with this land for centuries and cared for it. Therefore, the right of Armenians of Artsakh to return is not only a matter of justice and human dignity but also an opportunity to preserve the unique natural and cultural environment of their historical homeland.

The head of the scientific and expert center "Kachar" Mgar Arutyunyan stated that "participants of COP17 must pay attention to the state of the natural environment of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the need for an independent assessment of environmental damage."

"The 2020 war and subsequent events have significantly changed the conditions for studying the natural ecosystems of the region. After the forced displacement of the Armenian population of Artsakh and the establishment of Azerbaijani control, the possibilities for independent environmental monitoring remain limited. Particular concern is raised by the potential consequences of forest fires, mining activities, infrastructure construction, and changes in water resource use. Reliable data, satellite monitoring, and independent scientific research are necessary to assess the actual scale of damage," emphasized the scientist.

He called on participants of COP17 to "facilitate international expertise, document environmental changes, and ensure transparency of information about the state of natural resources in Artsakh."

"The preservation of biodiversity should not depend on political circumstances. Environmental responsibility requires openness, scientific justification, and concrete actions to protect the natural heritage of the region," noted Arutyunyan.

Armenians of Artsakh were forced to leave not only their homes and shrines but also the native nature with which they were connected by millennia of history and culture. Along with them, centuries-old traditions of agriculture, water resource use, and careful treatment of the environment were also threatened.

"Armenians of Artsakh were forced to leave not only their homes and shrines but also the native nature with which they were connected by millennia of history and culture. Along with them, centuries-old traditions of agriculture, water resource use, and careful treatment of the environment were also threatened. The loss of this connection threatens the natural and cultural heritage of the region," stated public figure, historian Ashot Mirzoyan.

According to him, "the problem of Armenians of Artsakh should not remain outside the discussion if participants of COP17 speak about the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and the preservation of biodiversity."

"Ignoring their forced displacement, loss of connection with their historical homeland, and right to return will call into question the consistency of international principles and turn the conversation about the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples into a manifestation of double standards. The right of Armenians of Artsakh to return is not only a matter of justice and human dignity but also an opportunity to preserve the unique natural and cultural environment of their historical homeland," said the historian.