"Right now, Azerbaijan is carrying out a cultural genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh. Right now, historical sites, monuments, cemeteries, and churches are being destroyed and vandalized. The most recent example is the St. Mary Church in Stepanakert," declared Hayk Mamidjanyan, head of the "I Have Honor" faction of the RA National Assembly, during his speech at the PACE plenary session.

"Honorable Chair, dear colleagues, Today I will speak about genocides. With deep respect for all victims of these crimes, the focus of my speech will be on Armenians, because today, April 24, marks the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and because my compatriots have delegated me to do so.

I am not the first and, definitely, not the last MP to speak about the Armenian Genocide in this hall. Some may get the impression that this topic is discussed here too often: yes, 1.5 million Armenians were killed at the beginning of the 20th century; yes, it was a massacre, a tragedy, but a reality that took place more than a century ago. What can be done now? Today, you think that the world has all the tools to prevent such crimes—international law, institutions, mechanisms. You are sadly mistaken, dear colleagues.

In 2023, Armenians once again faced a grave crime against humanity: the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 100,000 Armenians were forced to leave their homeland. Some may argue that this was their choice or decision. Let me present a fact that proves the contrary: more than 60 people died on the road to Armenia. Yes, in the 21st century in Europe, more than 60 people died trying to escape the Azerbaijani regime. This cannot be described as a 'choice or decision' at all.

The international community may respond by citing adopted resolutions condemning such actions. Indeed, several organizations, including PACE, have done so, for which we are grateful. But what if I told you that at this very moment, Azerbaijan is carrying out a cultural genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh? Right now, historical sites, monuments, and churches are being destroyed. The latest example is the St. Mary (Surb Astvatsatsin) Church in Stepanakert, which was destroyed between March and April of this year.

You may ask me why I don't provide the exact date of destruction. The answer is simple: the only available evidence is satellite imagery, as Azerbaijan refuses to allow a UNESCO monitoring mission to enter the territory.

All of this has happened during our membership in PACE. There is no excuse for us. I refuse to believe that one dictator can be more powerful than the entire civilized world. And yet, he continues to hold 19 of my compatriots in Baku prisons, showing no sign of intention to release them. He continues to occupy more than 200 sq. km of my country's territory. He continues to hide information about more than a hundred people missing since 2020.

And despite the world's indifference toward all these tragedies, I stand here as a representative of the independent Republic of Armenia, and I address all those who consider us their enemy: YOU HAVE FAILED—I AM ALIVE!"