Nearly two years after Azerbaijan’s military assault on the Armenian enclave known to the world as Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh to Armenians) and the desperate flight of nearly all of its 120,000 residents to “mainland” Armenia, many of the displaced are still yearning for a return to their beloved homeland — but only if their safety and freedom to reclaim their Christian culture and heritage are guaranteed.

They assert that the framework for peace brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, signed on Aug. 8 with much fanfare by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, has failed to address the rights of this war-devastated, uprooted population. They say the forced abandonment of Artsakh, and the destruction of all tangible evidence of their 1,700-year Christian presence there, is an “open wound” that still bleeds profusely.

“It is heartbreaking to see so much excitement about the peace agreement when, for us — the displaced people of Artsakh — it feels like we don’t exist at all,” journalist Siranush Sargysan told The Catholic Register. Sargysan has documented her own experience of ethnic cleansing and displacement, and has been voice for her people for many years. 

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“After going through four wars, a blockade and forced displacement peace cannot be just empty words on paper. The agreement completely ignores those of us who fled Artsakh in 2023. There is not a single mention of our fate. Neither the Armenian or Azerbaijani leaders or the U.S. President answered a journalist’s questions about it. We feel invisible and unheard. How can there be a peace deal when our people remain hostages in Azerbaijan? True peace means recognizing us, acknowledging our suffering and guaranteeing our safe return to our homeland.”

Jackie Abramian, co-producer and script writer of an upcoming documentary, Faces of Persecution Genocide 2.0: Artsakh Ethnic Cleansing emphasized the importance of giving the refugees a voice in the peace negotiations.

 “That’s one of the most depressing things, that the plight of the refugees and the right to return of the prisoners of war were never discussed,” she said. “Of course we don’t know what will happen in the following weeks, and what was decided in the back rooms.”

But support for the refugees’ impossible dream has come from an unlikely source, in a “miraculous” way, as an official of the humanitarian aid and advocacy organization Christian Solidarity International (CSI) puts it.

Earlier this year, a majority of the upper house of the Swiss parliament approved a motion calling on the Swiss government to create a “peace forum for Nagorno Karabakh.” The motion aims to facilitate dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of Nagorno Karabakh regarding the safe return of approximately 120,000 Armenians expelled from their homeland.

“It’s really miraculous that this motion was passed, given Azerbaijan’s hostility to the idea, and the influence of SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s national oil and gas company from whom so many Swiss people buy their gas,” said Joel Veldkamp, the Zurich-base director for public advocacy of CSI.

Even the Swiss foreign minister was initially against it, Veldkamp added. The change of heart came about after Swiss MP Erich Vontobel visited Armenia and met with several refugees. 

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“It remains difficult to imagine, but many he talked to wanted to go home,” Veldkamp said.  

Living in physically and psychologically challenging circumstances, the refugees are still navigating the grief of loss — of loved ones, homes, businesses, churches and communities — while struggling to build a safe and secure future for themselves and their children. 

The housing allowance that the Armenian government had provided for them has now been terminated. Many have Azerbaijan passports since Artsakh was considered to be part of Azerbaijan, although governed as an autonomous region by ethnic Armenians. The lack of an Armenian passport makes them ineligible to apply for Armenian government support programs, thus adding to their burdens of unemployment, poverty and lack of affordable housing.

“Under international law, the refugees have the right of return,” Veldkamp said, adding that two UK parliamentarians, Lord David Alton and MP Jim Shannon, have issued a statement in support of the Swiss Peace Initiative as a pathway for Christian Armenians to return safely to their homeland and reclaim their heritage.

“We are seeking the support of more governments,” Veldkamp said. “It would be great if the Canadian government can issue a public statement highlighting its importance for the peace process.”

In the meantime, NGOs such as CSI and Caritas Armenia are taking care of the immediate needs of struggling Artsakh refugees.

“Our main goal right now is to open the (physical) Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center for people with disabilities which was forced to operate remotely after its patients and staff fled in terror during the Azerbaijani attack of 2023,” Veldkamp said. 

Armenuhi Mkoyan, communications director of Caritas Armenia, said her organization is engaged in assisting refugees with housing and other needs including trauma healing for children. She cites the case of 11-year-old Alex who fled Artsakh with his parents and siblings to escape Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing. Carrying only their passports and a few photos to remind them of the life they had left behind, they arrived in Gyumri, Armenia’s second biggest city, where Caritas Armenia helps the destitute family.

Mkoyan said she is deeply touched by the gratitude of children like Alex, and Caritas Armenia in turn appreciates financial support from partner organizations and churches in Canada and around the world.

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Mkoyan has noted that while Alex has made many friends in Gyumri, and is happy there, he misses his home and friends in Artsakh. She recalled that Alex shared his deepest longing with her colleagues from Caritas Armenia.

“I want my Artsakh,” he said.