Armenia’s former Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan issued a congratulatory message on the 31st anniversary of Artsakh's independence marked on September 2.

“The struggle for the independence of Artsakh is aimed at defending our dignity, rights and safety. 11 years ago on this day, the independence of Artsakh was proclaimed to ensure it.

I have repeatedly provided evidence that Azerbaijan has pursued and continues to pursue an actual genocidal policy against Artsakh and Armenia, which is marked by state-sponsored hatred, hostility, encouraged and unpunished crimes affecting Armenians from around the world. This requires the existence of a statehood independent from Azerbaijan as a guarantee for the protection of the indigenous Artsakh people, the Armenians.

For the sake of the blood split by our heroes, safety and rights of our children, we should not stop defending the rights of Artsakh Armenians.

We must believe in ourselves and not allow the destructive feeling of inability to fight and incompetence to be instilled in us.

Artsakh has to get strong," reads the message.