The participants of the rallies in Stepanakert made a statement, which was published by Artsakhpress.

"We, the residents of the NKR, participants of the people's rally in the Revival Square of Stepanakert, the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, declare that we will defend the sovereignty and statehood of the NKR.

We declared our independence 31 years ago and exercised our right to self-determination in full compliance with the international law and the legislation of the USSR. These decisions are stipulated by the "Declaration of NKR Independence" and the results of the nationwide referendum. Azerbaijan continues to carry out the genocide of the Armenian people, initiated by Turkey more than a hundred years ago.

The policy of genocide against Armenians in Karabakh was carried out by Azerbaijan during the Soviet regime, and in all subsequent years after the collapse of the USSR. It continues today, as evidenced, for example, by the events of recent days, when there was an armed invasion into the territory of the Republic of Armenia, which was accompanied by crimes against humanity, mockery over the bodies of those killed, beheadings of captives and other inhumane manifestations of Armenophobia.

Azerbaijan, not hiding its intention of destroying Armenians and Armenian statehood, carries out the Armenian Genocide, involving other regional and international forces in its criminal activity. Only the people of Nagorno Karabakh have the right to decide their destiny.

After the collapse of the USSR, Armenia was a guarantor of NKR's security and acted as a mediator in the negotiations for the settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh. But the Armenian leadership has no right to sign any document that would change the current status of NKR. Any such document is not legitimate and has no legal force.

Recognize the independence of NKR, do not participate in the Genocide of Armenians carried out by Azerbaijan and its allies," the statement of the rally participants reads.