Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia – The Christian community in Armenia and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region is facing severe persecution and an urgent humanitarian crisis. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan has escalated, resulting in significant displacement, destruction of cultural heritage, and dire living conditions for thousands of ethnic Armenian Christians.
In recent months, Azerbaijan’s military actions have led to the destruction of key Armenian Christian sites, including the St. John the Baptist Church in Shushi and the near-total razing of the Karintak village. This destruction is part of a broader pattern of cultural and religious persecution aimed at erasing Armenian Christian heritage from the region (International Christian Concern).
The conflict has forced a mass exodus of Armenian Christians from Nagorno-Karabakh. Reports indicate that over 120,000 Armenians are facing extreme conditions, including lack of food, medicine, and essential supplies due to the blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. This blockade, which began in December 2022, has cut off the only access route for aid, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis (Catholic News Agency) (National Catholic Register).
Human rights advocates and religious leaders are raising alarms about the situation, describing it as an attempt at ethnic cleansing. Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, has labeled the situation as a deliberate effort by Azerbaijan to make life unlivable for Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh(Catholic News Agency).
The international community’s response has been mixed, with calls for intervention and aid continuing. Despite these calls, Azerbaijan has maintained its blockade, further isolating the Armenian population. Efforts by various organizations, including Caritas Armenia and the Christians in Need Foundation, are ongoing to provide emergency relief and support to those affected (Faithwire).
For continuous updates and more in-depth coverage of the plight of Armenian Christians, visit The Political Pulpit.
This article was written by The News Desk at The Political Pulpit.
