As many as 1-1.5 million Azerbaijanis have been expelled from the territory of Armenia since 1918, Michael Reinhard Heß, a professor at Germany’s Frankfurt University, said Report informs.
Speaking during a panel session of the second international conference titled “The right to return: Advancing Justice for Azerbaijanis Expelled from Armenia,” organized by the Western Azerbaijan Community, professor Heß pointed out that history shows that in certain periods, thousands of Azerbaijanis were expelled from their homes, with Armenia’s unofficial and official state structures participating in this process. They used Soviet institutions for their own purposes.
“Tsar Peter I had decided to settle Armenians in the territories of the South Caucasus conquered by Russia, and the process continued throughout history,” he added.
The historian emphasized that since 1905, Armenians have been using the methods they created in a phased manner. “As a historian, I must state that just after 1918, 1-1.5 million Azerbaijanis were expelled from the territory of Armenia. There may be slight differences in numbers, as figures vary in sources. These give grounds to say that Azerbaijanis were subjected to serious violence in the 20th century,” Hess stated.
He further noted that Armenians changed the demographic balance in Armenia in their favor using Soviet power. “We must not forget history,” the German professor concluded.
Speaking at the panel session, Secretary of the Pakistan Commission on Law and Justice Riffat Inam Butt first talked about how international law itself should bring real change:
“There must be a response to the destruction of people’s identity, history, and culture. Repatriation programs should be created to implement a sustainable return process. Additionally, more support should be provided to civil society activities. Because they have always played a major role in preserving cultural monuments. Azerbaijan makes proposals based on international law and mutual respect, and these should be taken into account in ensuring sustainable peace.”
Another panelist, Guram Markhuliya, a professor, political scientist, and historian at Sukhumi State University in Georgia noted that Armenia, which failed to be established in Ottoman Türkiye, was successfully established as a state in the South Caucasus:
“This country was created in the historical regions of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The Georgian population in the Lori region was actually destroyed or expelled. Similarly, Azerbaijanis were expelled from their ancestral Azerbaijani territory and Armenians were settled in their place.”
In particular, Ali Asgarov, a professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Greensboro in the United States, highlighted Armenia’s emotional decision-making and noted that the Armenian government faces serious problems because of this.
“The Armenian government cannot make independent decisions because the Armenian diaspora has a significant influence on decisions. The Caucasus has a very complex history, serious conflicts have occurred here, and a new phase of the conflict began 30 years ago. Today they talk about regional relations, about turning Armenia into a transport hub, but how will they do this? For this, normal relations must be established with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. However, no substantial steps are being taken in this direction.
There are rumors that Azerbaijanis allegedly left Armenia voluntarily, but the reality is that they were expelled, and their return must be ensured. Armenia’s constitution contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan and Türkiye, and this must absolutely be changed for normal relations to be established. Armenia creates problems for the entire region. Armenia must sign a lasting peace with Azerbaijan for development and then normalize relations with Türkiye,” Asgarov emphasized.
