The fourth year of the 44-day war is coming to an end – a cruel and inhumane event that violated the most basic human rights, from depriving individuals of their lives to infringing upon the right to self-determination. Gender-based violence also played a significant role in this monstrous conflict; the Azerbaijani forces treated Armenian female soldiers with particular cruelty.
During the war, several important international norms were violated, including protections for the civilian population and the immunity of healthcare workers and journalists. International and local journalists were targeted by the Azerbaijani side; many were injured and could not continue their work.
The war was followed by a series of brutal events: the total blockade of the population of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) in December 2022, widespread starvation, and the forced displacement of people from their homeland. On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale offensive, which led to further forced deportations.
In the wake of these incidents, a social crisis continues in Armenia. Issues related to the residence and employment of displaced persons remain unresolved.
Susanna Shahnazaryan, head of the Goris Press Club, recalls the period of forced deportation with deep pain. According to her, at the last moment, their team could not believe that the forced deportations were a reality. “When the information was confirmed, we were fully engaged in helping our people from Artsakh. We set up shifts and worked day and night. Those who were not handling registration issues worked at open-air food distribution points. In the early days, the local population mobilized and organized everything with their own funds. Goris turned into an open-air camp; it was a terribly sad scene,” Susanna recalls, adding that, despite the chaos, they also had to continue their ongoing work.
As a journalist who values the documentation of facts, Susanna considered it important to document history during that difficult period. “Despite the challenges, we were collecting parallel stories and photos. It was very difficult to decide which images and stories to publish because most featured children. After that, we conducted surveys and needs assessments, documenting the entire process,” Shahnazaryan elaborates.
In the initial phase, many local and international organizations provided financial and material support to NGOs and initiatives operating in Syunik to assist with first aid for the displaced persons on-site.
“During the needs assessment we conducted, we found that 21 percent of forcibly displaced persons remaining in Goris have disabilities, and more than 50 percent lack professional skills. There were also many families with multiple children, so we decided to allocate the aid provided by USAID to these families. With the support of the Women’s Fund Armenia, we addressed the specific needs of displaced women, including feminine hygiene products, which are often overlooked,” says the head of the Goris Press Club.
Susanna Shahnazaryan noticed a concerning trend. “It is common for women to seek work. Mostly men come to receive humanitarian aid. Yet when you offer them a job, they often say, ‘No, my wife is studying hairdressing or manicure.’ The status of single women and single mothers is also crucial in this context. We don’t fully understand their circumstances—how they manage without support. It is clear that women are more active in solving social problems than men,” she emphasizes.
After the initial phase of the crisis, the press club continued its documentary work, this time more systematically. “We use the media primarily as a tool to raise awareness about various issues. During the forced deportation, we recognized the importance of documenting these events. It was challenging at first, but we eventually managed to regulate our efforts. The organization has a clearly developed policy and guidelines for conducting interviews, and we used these to collect personal stories. We are now using the media to publicize and validate these issues.”
According to Susanna Shahnazaryan, CSO’s and state institutions should not independently determine the needs of the displaced. “Often, we provide help or implement programs based on our assumptions about what they need. This paternalistic approach must change. All organizations working on behalf of forcibly displaced persons should involve them in decision-making processes at the state level,” she emphasizes.
A year after the forced displacement of the population of Artsakh, many issues remain unresolved, and perhaps there are even more unresolved ones than those that have been addressed. The housing situations of a significant portion of the displaced have not yet been fully resolved, and they face challenges with job placement. Many have emigrated from Armenia, unable to envision a future for themselves and their children here. Additionally, many continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress.
Beyond this crisis, numerous other social problems in Armenia have not received proper solutions, even after decades, such as the plight of those who lost their homes in the Spitak earthquake of 1988. With such examples before us, doubts and fears about the near future can easily arise.
Yelena Sargsyan
