Press release: 110 Years after the genocide, Armenia is more threatened than ever

On April 24, 1915 the Armenian Genocide began with the arrest and later execution of the Armenian elite in Constantinople. Over 1.2 million Armenians were killed, without forgetting the 500,000 Pontic Greeks and 750,000 Assyro-Chaldeans and Syriacs.

Today, 110 years later, SOS Chrétiens d’Orient, as well as all of Armenia, remember and honour the victims of the first genocide of the 20th century. “The memory of the Armenian Genocide is especially important right now,” says Benjamin Blanchard, Director General of SOS Chrétiens d’Orient, an organization working in Armenia since 2018. “Just like 110 years ago, Armenia is at a turning point in its history — under attack from Azerbaijan and abandoned by its allies and friends. The Armenian nation may never have been so alone. It’s just to honour the memory of the victims of 1915; but it would be even better to protect their descendants in 2025.”

Following the 2020 war and Armenia’s defeat by Azerbaijan, the 2023 invasion of Artsakh, and the ethnic cleansing that forced the entire population of the Armenian enclave into exile, Armenia continues to face triple pressure from Azerbaijan:

• Diplomatic pressure. “Today,” continues Blanchard, “Armenia is being pushed toward signing a treaty that looks more like a surrender than a true peace agreement. Azerbaijan is even demanding changes to the Armenian Constitution to erase any claims to Artsakh — a land that is historically Armenian!”

• Military pressure. Represented by Azerbaijani troops warning shots at Armenian border villages. “Earlier this month, the village of Koznhavar — where SOS Chrétiens d’Orient regularly works and where I visited just weeks ago — came under threat from Azeri soldiers, whose outposts are only a few hundred meters from the village school.”

• Judicial pressure. Former leaders of Artsakh are on trial in Azerbaijan. “This is a purely political trial,” Blanchard states. “It’s being used by the Baku government to settle scores. It’s a mockery of justice!”

SOS Chrétiens d’Orient is calling on the French government to strongly and decisively support Armenia and defend its sovereignty. It is also urging the French authorities to use every possible means to secure the immediate release of Armenian prisoners.

Active in Armenia since 2018 and having sent 200 volunteers to serve in this country, SOS Chrétiens d’Orient continues to support refugees from Artsakh and, more broadly, the Armenian people.

SOS Chrétiens d’Orient remains at your disposal to answer your questions.

Contact us: +33 7 61 25 08 62