'We have been betrayed': Nagorno-Karabakh ex-minister on Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal

In August, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a peace declaration in Washington in the presence of US President Donald Trump. In an interview with FRANCE 24, Aliyev said that “peace is achieved” with Armenia.

But according to Artak Beglaryan, former state minister and human rights ombudsman of Nagorno-Karabakh, the agreement falls far short. “The declaration says nothing about the rights, security or status of the 150,000 people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Nobody consulted us. [...] At least politically, yes, we have been betrayed by the Armenian authorities.”

Since Azerbaijan established control on the region in 2023, nearly all Armenians have fled. “We were forcibly displaced. The suffering of my people is immense.” The former state minister also sharply criticised the Armenian government.

“Prime Minister Pashinyan claims he is proud of the results and says we should forget our return. That is absurd. Armenia was a party to the conflict and host to refugees, and should have done everything to protect our rights.”
Beglaryan also highlighted what he described as ongoing violations and human rights abuses. Aliyev has refused to grant clemency to imprisoned Nagorno-Karabakh former leaders, who have been sentenced to life imprisonment.

“Aliyev himself is a Nazi leader. He and his regime have committed crimes including crimes against humanity and genocide against our people,” Beglaryan said.