The Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan has issued a message addressed to all Armenia, inviting them to visit Artsakh. In his message, posted on Facebook, Stepanyan says Artsakh today might seem deprived of its previous attractiveness due to the devastating consequences of the recent war, yet never of its content and meaning. 

"We went through the cruelties of the war, witnessed all human and inhuman sufferings during 44 days and unfortunately, feel those sufferings still today. Yet we are here, in the same place with a hope to stand up again with your support. Visit Artsakh, visit at least so that the 100 thousand Armenians living in Artsakh do not feel alone. With your presence you will strengthen the Armenians living in Artsakh so that Artsakh will always be Armenian," Stepanyan wrote. 

He admits the existing security concerns about the road, in some part of which the visitors may hardly restrain anger while seeing the captured Shushi, issues with dates of entry permissions for Diaspora Armenians. "Nevertheless, we should overcome all this for the sake of our primary goal not to lose Artsakh. Get up and come where you are always welcome," Stepanyan concluded.