Armenian
National Committee of Canada

Comité
National Arménien du Canada

Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622

E-mail/Courriel:national.office@anccanada.org

-PRESS RELEASE-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                           Contact: Sevag Belian (613) 235-2622

The Struggle Continues for a
Free Artsakh…

ANCC’s Statement on the 30th Anniversary of the "Karabakh
Movement"

Ottawa – Today marks the 30th anniversary of the
"Karabakh Movement", the very movement that courageously tore down
the Soviet walls of silence to grant the people of Artsakh (formerly known as
Nagorno-Karabakh) the freedom and dignity that they continue to struggle for
today.

On February 13, 1988, the freedom loving people of Artsakh
marched in unison in major demonstrations in the capital city of Stepanakert,
demanding for their homeland to be partitioned from the illegal soviet
machinated merger to Azerbaijan.

In what was seen as a protest against the Soviet
administration of that time, the Armenian population of Artsakh demanded their
rights under full compliance with the laws and constitution of the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The Karabakh Movement was the first
_expression_ of people’s right to self determination in the Soviet Union and
Eastern Bloc, which led directly to the movements that brought about the fall
of the Berlin Wall, the revolutions in Eastern Europe and the freedom of the
former Soviet republics.

"What came after the demonstrations was the beginning
of the current fate facing the people of Artsakh… their struggle to live in
peace and freedom, free of any Azeri aggression and violence" said Shahen
Mirakian, president of the Armenian National Committee of Canada.

Shortly after their rightful _expression_ of freedom, the
Armenians of Artsakh were faced by unrepentant aggression from neighbouring
Azerbaijan, which eventually resulted in full-scale war in the early 1990's,
lasting until 1994.

Despite a 1994 ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijan has steadily
continued to carry out attacks against Artsakh. The most recent large-scale
ceasefire violation, which occurred in April 2016, was unprecedented in its
scale, duration, and number of civilian casualties. Ever since, and almost on
daily basis, innocent soldiers and civilians are killed, due to unsanctioned
Azeri aggression. 

"Since 1994, the Artsakh side has tirelessly reiterated
its commitment to reach a viable and a peaceful resolution to this conflict
that respects the right to self-determination of the Armenian population and
recognizes the territorial integrity of Artsakh, However, Azerbaijan’s
bellicose and unconstructive campaign of aggression continues to threaten a
resumption of war and bloodshed" said Mirakian.

"Despite all the hardships faced today, Artsakh stands
as a beacon of democracy, hope and freedom that throughout the years has
strongly demonstrated its commitment to peace and its ability in becoming a
sovereign nation, worthy of international recognition" concluded Mirakian.

-30-

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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Armenian-Canadian
grassroots human rights organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-Canadian
community on a broad range of issues and works to eliminate abuses of human
rights throughout Canada and the world.