The Monument Watch platform has released a detailed report highlighting the threats faced by the Stepanakert Memorial Complex in Artsakh, following recent actions by Azerbaijan. Videos circulated on Azerbaijani social media show that the memorial complex is still standing, but significant damage has been inflicted, particularly to the gravesites of heroes and notable figures from the Artsakh war. These videos also reveal calls for the complete destruction of the complex.
Azerbaijani actions include erasing Armenian inscriptions from the memorial complex. This indicates not only physical destruction of cultural heritage but also an attempt to erase its Armenian identity. Specifically, the report highlights the removal of excerpts from Paruyr Sevak’s poem “Unquenchable Bell Tower” on the 2015 memorial bell tower.
Azerbaijani state-linked media and extremist social media channels have openly called for the destruction of Armenian memorials in Stepanakert. These calls suggest a state-supported agenda to target Armenian cultural sites in occupied territories.
Following the 2020 war, Azerbaijan has consistently targeted Armenian cultural monuments in occupied Artsakh. Monuments dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and the Artsakh War have been particularly vulnerable to destruction.
These developments highlight the urgent need for international organizations such as UNESCO and human rights groups to step in and prevent further destruction of cultural heritage in Artsakh. This pattern of targeting Armenian cultural sites represents a violation of international heritage preservation laws.
The Stepanakert Memorial Complex is under renewed threat amid Azerbaijan’s policy of targeting Armenian cultural heritage. Immediate action is required by Armenia and the international community to safeguard these monuments and prevent further erasure of history in the region.