Brussels, 2 October, 2023 – On the 1st of October 2023, a massive protest took place in Brussels, uniting thousands of protestors from Armenian communities across Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Germany. The demonstrators, gathered on the Schuman square presented a list of 9 demands.
As EU citizens, the primary demand was an urgent call for immediate action from the European Union. The demonstrators called for holding EU officials accountable, who contributed in Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing and the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, namely Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen, Josep Borrell, and Toivo Klaar. Additionally, the protestors condemned the Russian peacekeepers for not fulfilling their obligations under the Trilateral Statement of November 2020.
The protest in Brussels featured a multitude of distinguished speakers, including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Members of National Parliaments (MPs) of EU member states, senators, mayors, local governors, renowned writers, prominent public figures, and spiritual leaders. The gathering was marked by impassioned speeches, calls for accountability of Azerbaijan’s crimes, condemnations for EU’s complicity in Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing, calls for justice, and a resounding plea for immediate international intervention to stop the genocidal policies of Azerbaijan.
Simultaneously, similar rallies took place in 22 other European cities as part of the Europeans for Artsakh initiative, demonstrating the widespread concern and solidarity for the people of Artsakh. These coordinated protests showcased the collective demand for a resolution to the ongoing conflict of Armenian communities across Europe.
Another protest is scheduled on the 5th of October in Granada, where a meeting between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, mediated by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The Europeans for Artsakh platform is planning new initiatives to support Artsakh and its Armenian population. We will keep the public informed about these upcoming actions and remain committed to mobilizing efforts in solidarity with the people of Artsakh.
