MP blames authorities for alarming rise of hate speech against Artsakh Armenians

The Council for the Protection of the Rights of Artsakh Armenians has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise of hate speech targeting forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians. Recently, Shushan Ghazaryan, the wife of Public Radio Director Armen Koloyan, made offensive remarks about Artsakh Armenians, describing them as "God-forsaken unfortunate people". 

Panorama.am spoke with Metakse Hakobyan, an MP from the Justice faction in the Artsakh parliament, about the increasing hate speech against Artsakh refugees and the four-day war in April 2016.

Metakse Hakobyan: The surge in hate speech is no coincidence. It is not driven by personal experiences or evidence but rather by a powerful propaganda campaign orchestrated by the authorities. When officials themselves resort to hate speech and display a dismissive attitude toward their forcibly displaced compatriots, it inevitably influences others, particularly those lacking information or education.

I do not believe that anyone who truly knows Artsakh, its people and history could propagate hatred against their own compatriots. Such behavior would be unacceptable even toward foreigners, let alone toward fellow Armenians.

Nine years ago, during the April 2016 war, the collective spirit and unity of the Armenian people were completely different. Everyone fought for the homeland, sacrificing themselves with the awareness that it was done for the sake of their nation.

The rising hate speech against forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians is an "achievement" of the current authorities.

Panorama.am: What is the government’s policy towards the Artsakh people aimed at?

Metakse Hakobyan: Their primary goal is not just to get rid of Artsakh Armenians – though that is part of it – but also to shift blame for their own failures onto others. These authorities have either failed in every aspect or have deliberately pursued an agenda of failure. To cover up their misdeeds, they must convince the public that they are not responsible and that others – whether former leaders or so-called "dark forces" – are to blame.

Before the war, even in 2019, Nikol Pashinyan was passionately addressing crowds in Stepanakert’s Renaissance Square, calling us his brothers and sisters and declaring that Artsakh was his homeland. This was merely a political tactic to win over our people. Now, however, a scapegoat is needed to avoid accountability for his crimes. Since many in Armenia have never been to Artsakh and do not personally know its people, Artsakh Armenians have become the easiest and most convenient target for blame.

I am certain that the wife of the Public Radio head knows exactly who Artsakh Armenians are and what Artsakh means to us. Yet, she used the same rhetoric as the current leadership.

Frankly, I find it difficult to even repeat her words. But I would like to tell her the following: the authorities have already sacrificed Artsakh and are now plundering Armenia – taking everything from the people, including food, resources and their homeland. Naturally, they are trying to shift the blame onto those they have already marked as scapegoats.

Panorama.am: Nine years have passed since the four-day April war. Did the unity of the Armenian people at the time make us stronger?

Metakse Hakobyan: April 2, 2016, was a Saturday, but a working day. When news of the war broke, people gathered at Renaissance Square, trying to understand the situation. I vividly remember seeing 18- to 20-year-old soldiers from the Stepanakert army base, full of energy, raising their fists and assuring us, "Do not be afraid, everything will be fine." The spirit was completely different back then.

We remember the names and stories of every soldier who fell during the four-day war. However, many acts of heroism from the 44-day war remain unknown.

Just hours after the Azerbaijani attack on April 2, Renaissance Square was packed. Men prepared to go to the frontlines as volunteers. No one cared whether someone was from Artsakh or Armenia because we stood as one nation. Within hours, humanitarian aid poured in from Armenia, including food, clothing and hygiene supplies. Our compatriots in Armenia wanted to help in any way they could. The aid was so abundant that the Ministry of Social Welfare began urging people to collect supplies because storage spaces were overflowing.

These memories are deeply ingrained in the hearts of Artsakh Armenians. It was impossible to drive a wedge between the people in Artsakh and Armenia. While some Artsakh Armenians may have succumbed to the ongoing propaganda, the overwhelming majority remain forever grateful to our compatriots in Armenia.

Panorama.am: Thank you for the interview.

It's worth noting that before the Council for the Protection of the Rights of Artsakh Armenians called attention to the issue, Panorama.am had already been actively monitoring and moderating offensive comments under reports on Saturday's rally in support of Artsakh Armenians' rights. Interestingly, most of the hateful comments came from fake social media accounts.