AfA News

AfA Student Scholarship Program continues to grow

October 4, 2025

Americans for Artsakh (AfA) is proud to announce the continued growth of the Yervand Nersisyan Scholarship Program, launched in 2016 to support students from Artsakh pursuing higher education in Armenia.

The program provides monthly stipends of up to $3,600 per year to undergraduates in high-impact fields such as mathematics, computer science, engineering, and medicine. Since its inception with just two students, it has awarded more than 60 scholarships to 20 students, with cumulative contributions now exceeding $140,000. Alumni have gone on to careers at leading firms including Krisp, EPAM, and Advanced Technologies Group.

Named in honor of Yervand Nersisyan—a New York–based financial professional originally from Artsakh—the program reflects his long-standing commitment to expanding educational opportunities for the region’s youth.

Alisa Avagimyan

My name is Alisa Avagimyan, and I am currently studying at Yerevan State University Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics.

How important is the scholarship to you?

The scholarship is extremely important to me as it provides financial support and allows me to fully focus on my studies without worrying about expenses. It also motivates me to maintain high academic standards and pursue my goals with dedication.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

The scholarship greatly contributes to better studying by giving me access to educational resources, study materials, and opportunities for personal and professional development. It enables me to participate in courses that enhance my learning experience.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh people and Armenia in the future?

In the future, I plan to pursue a career in IT and contribute to the development of Artsakh people. I want to use my skills and knowledge to create projects that improve education, technology, or social opportunities, supporting the growth and prosperity of our communities. My goal is to make a meaningful impact and help build a stronger and more sustainable future for our people.

Rudik Voskanyan

I am Rudik Voskanyan, from the village of Mets Tagher in the Hadrut region of Artsakh. I am 22 years old and currently a third-year student at the Faculty of General Medicine at the Armenian Medical Institute.

How important is the scholarship to you?

I mainly use the scholarship I receive to cover transportation and other education-related expenses.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

I don’t devote much thought to working at the moment, I am prioritizing my education, which is why I have fully focused my attention on my studies.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh people and Armenia in the future?

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I intend to continue my education abroad to gain in- depth knowledge and professional skills. My goal is to become a qualified doctor and use the experience and knowledge I acquire to serve my compatriots, contributing to the development of healthcare for the Armenian people, and later, on a broader scale—to the world as a whole—by supporting the advancement and strengthening of global healthcare.

Gor Gevorgyan

I was born in August 2005 in village of Taghavard of Martuni region. In 2023 I became a student of National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia, faculty of Construction Industrial and Civil Construction.

How important is the scholarship to you?

The scholarship is very important to me because it supports my education by covering essential expenses.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

I can concentrate more on my classes without worrying about finding a job, which allows me to excel in my studies.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh people and Armenia in the future?

Construction is a really interesting field. I really want to delve into that field and eventually have my own construction company. I treat Artsakh and the people of Artsakh with compassion, and I will try to be useful to my people in the future to the best of my ability.

Levon Ghaziyan

I am Levon Ghaziyan from Artsakh, currently living in Yerevan. I have been studying programming for four years. Today, I am a student at Yerevan State University, Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics.

How important is the scholarship to you?

For me, this scholarship is very important, as I greatly appreciate its impact and the motivation it gives me to continue my studies.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

In addition to the motivation it provides, this scholarship also gives me the financial support that allows me to focus fully on my studies.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh people and Armenia in the future?

As for my future, I aspire to become a person who can make a meaningful change in the world, and particularly for Armenia and Artsakh.

Natali Davtyan

My name is Natali Davtyan, and I am from Stepanakert, Artsakh. I graduated from the A. Shahinyan Physics and Mathematics School. Now, I am studying at the Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics at Yerevan State University.

How important is a scholarship to you?

A scholarship is very important to me. It is not only a strong motivation to study harder, but also very helpful for my current situation. My family and I were displaced from Artsakh, and financial support is very necessary now.

How will the scholarship support your studies?

The scholarship will help me stay focused on my studies. It will allow me to spend more time on my lessons and do better at university, without worrying too much about money.

What are your future plans in your professional field? What would you like to do for the people of Artsakh and Armenia?

I want to become a good specialist in the future because I believe that every country needs smart and educated people to grow and develop. By becoming a good professional, I want to help my country and support the people of Artsakh and Armenia in any way I can.

Sergey Gasparyan

My name is Sergey Gasparyan. I was born in Stepanakert, Artsakh, and in 2023 I was displaced from my homeland due to the conflict. Now I am studying at Yerevan State University, Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Informatics.

How important is the scholarship for you?

The scholarship is very important to me because it will serve as a strong motivation to continue working hard and improving myself. Knowing that my efforts are recognized gives me confidence and inspires me to achieve even higher goals.

How will the scholarship support your studies?

The scholarship will motivate me to stay fully dedicated to my studies, to participate more actively in academic life, and to constantly push myself to do better. It is not only financial support but also a source of encouragement to grow as a student and future professional.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to
do for Artsakh people and Armenia in the future?

In the future, I want to become a qualified professional in the field of IT and use my knowledge to contribute to Armenia’s development and to support the people of Artsakh. My dream is to help young people gain access to quality education and opportunities, so that together we can build a stronger and brighter future.

Yervand Nersisyan scholarship program for Students from Artsakh Republic

October 31, 2022

Americans4Artsakh (AfA) is increasing its support for educational programs through the expansion of the Yervand Nersisyan scholarship program. Thanks to the generous contributions of Yervand, students from the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who are studying at various colleges in Armenia receive monthly stipends. Launched first in 2016 with the ability to assist two students from Artsakh, the program has gradually expanded to helping 14 students by 2022. The contributions towards this program from Yervand Nersisyan have totaled 70,000 U.S. dollars to date.

In recognition of Yervand’s dedication to the education of young Armenians from Artsakh, Americans4Artsakh announced in 2020 that the scholarship program will be named after Yervand Nersisyan.

Yervand Nersisyan of New York City, originally from Artsakh, is a professional in the financial industry.

David Voskanyan

I am David Voskanyan from Mets Tagher village, Hadrut, Artsakh Republic. In 2019 I was admitted to the Faculty of Computer Science at Yerevan State University. In the same year I was drafted into the Artsakh Defense Army where I participated in the Artsakh War of 2020.

How important is the scholarship to you?

As a result of the war, there were both human and territorial losses during which we also lost our village. Now my family and I have settled temporarily in Yerevan where I continue my studies after being discharged from Army. Despite the issues with hard living circumstances and tough psychological condition, I try to focus solely on my studies. The provided scholarship helps immensely in terms of financial needs.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

It is an important stimulus and helps to solve many financial hardships.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

Education is fundamental to strengthening and development of Artsakh. I have a plan to later establish a technological school in Artsakh, where people of any age will be able to study for free. And I will personally finance students with financial needs who are interested in science.

Hrachya Baghdasaryan

I am Hrachya Baghdasaryan from Shushi, Artsakh Republic. I am studying in the Data processing in physics and artificial intelligence department of the Faculty of Physics of Yerevan State University.

How important is the scholarship to you?

Scholarship is quite important for me. It allows me to focus more on my studies.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

Knowing that in case of a high GPA I will have a higher scholarship, my motivation to study better increases even more.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

I would like to contribute to the development of the IT sector in Artsakh.

Karen Tovmasyan

I was born in 2002 in the city of Yerevan and lived in Stepanakert for quite a long time. I am studying at the Finance department of the Faculty of Economics and Management at Yerevan State University.

How important is the scholarship to you?

The scholarship is very important to me because it helps me to take care of all the financial problems of my student life, which ensures a smooth process for education.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

The scholarship also has the ability to motivate. The lack of a scholarship can significantly affect studying well, because without a scholarship it will be difficult to cover all the expenses and one would need to start working and spend less time in classes, which will lead to the deterioration of the quality of education.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

First of all, I want to get the most out of the university, become the specialist of my dreams and, if possible, also get more training abroad. In the future, I will help to strengthen Artsakh materially and financially. As a participant of the third Artsakh war I have an understanding about the main issues we have and will help to fix them in the future.

Sevak Gevorgyan

I am Sevak Gevorgyan from Taghavard village, Martuni, Artsakh Republic. I am studying at the Semiconductor Physics and Microelectronics Department of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.

How important is the scholarship to you?

The scholarship provides me with certain financial security and allows me to focus more on my studies.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

Having a scholarship motivates me to study well.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

In the future, I aim to become a good specialist and use my knowledge for the benefit of Artsakh.

Ashkhen Hovakimyan

I am Ashkhen Hovakimyan from Taghavard village, Martuni, Artsakh Republic. I am studying at the Department of Telecommunications and Signal Processing of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.

How important is the scholarship to you?

Since our village is on the border, it is difficult to work there and the scholarship helps with paying for the rent and more. I am thankful for being included in such a program.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

Thanks to the scholarship, I don’t have many distractions and can devote myself completely to studying.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

In the future, I want to become a skilled programmer and engineer. I have a big goal to start my own business. In my profession, I have always thought of doing something for Artsakh. In the future, I want to open a development center for children in Artsakh.

Computer Lab and Library for the Artsakh State University

August 17, 2022

Computer Lab and Library for the Artsakh State University

The Artsakh State University has trained more than 25,000 graduates during the course of 50 plus years of its existence. Graduates work in different areas of the Artsakh Republic. The Artsakh State University has undergone more than 3 years of renovation during which the repair of the main building has been completed. This renovation was funded not only by the Artsakh Government, but also by the Armenian Himnadram and other charitable organizations. Now, we are looking to collect funds with which we can equip students at the university with learning materials, technical and technological equipment. More specifically, the main building which is set to open its doors for the 2023 academic year, will house an array of new faculties and lecture halls. Most importantly, the main building will boast a scientific library, which will be available not only to the staff and students at the university, but also to all residents of Stepanakert. It is vital that American charitable organizations participate in equipping and modernizing the university.

Artsakh State University receives financial and educational support from Armenian Educational Foundation and Americans4Artsakh. Thanks to charity of Barlow Der Mugrdechian, a professor in the Armenian Studies department at the California State University, Americans4Artsakh has contributed two donations to the Artsakh State University. The initial donation was dedicated to equipping the computer lab with the addition of 11 computer stations and one additional screen. With the second donation, the university acquired for the library classic literature masterpieces and scientific books in Armenian, English and Russian languages. In addition to it Barlow Der Mugrdechian personally visited Stepanakert to discuss the future needs of the Artsakh State University.

In his interview with the Americans4Artsakh, the rector of the Artsakh State University – Armen Sargsyan, mentioned that the university hosted an online conference with Armenian scientists and members of the Armenian Educational Foundation in October 2021. Sargsyan emphasized the ways in which the Armenian Diaspora can help the Artsakh State University and the Artsakh community at large, the subject of the conference. Firstly, the Diaspora must actively support the recognition of the Artsakh Republic. Secondly, Sargsyan suggested creating ties between the Artsakh State University and leading American universities to expand ongoing charitable funding for developing technical and academic capacity. The rector expressed special thanks to David Babayan – Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Armine Aleksanyan – Republic of Artsakh’s Deputy Foreign Minister, and Robert Avetisyan – the USA Representative of the Republic of Artsakh, for helping Artsakh State University to strengthen connections with American Educational community and Armenian American Charitable organizations.

The interview with Armen Sargsyan,
Rector of the Artsakh State University.

The interview was recorded by Shahine Martirosyan,
Artsakh State University Student, who received
Americans4Artsakh Yervand Nersisyan scholarship.

Americans for Artsakh helps YerevaNN develop AI models for drug design

March 2, 2022

The funds from Americans for Artsakh helped to hire two junior researchers full-time and significantly improve YerevaNN’s computing resources.

Since 2016, YerevaNN, a lab focused on computer science research, has connected students and young scientists in Armenia with professors all over the world to produce high quality research papers. In 2021, Americans for Artsakh helped YerevaNN Educational Foundation led by Hrant Khachatrian to start a large project on the development of AI models for predicting chemical properties of molecules. It is one of the most important topics in drug design, as it is extremely expensive to produce millions of drug candidates or to measure their properties. AI methods give an opportunity to predict those properties without physical production of the molecules, enabling analysis on a much larger scale. This project is a collaboration with a team of biologists from the Institute of Molecular Biology in Armenia and a world-famous biologist from Germany.

Funds from Americans for Artsakh, mobilized through the efforts of Amazasp Shaumyan and Yervand Nersisyan, have helped YerevaNN to hire two junior researchers full-time and significantly improve its computing resources. The project has already resulted in one research paper (currently under peer review, https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.04929) with a second research paper in progress.

Americans For Artsakh remembers the victims of the aggression against free and democratic Artsakh

September 27, 2021

On September 27 of 2020, with the help of the Turkish Armed Forces and mercenaries from the Middle East, Azerbaijan attacked the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. Using prohibited weapons and white phosphorus, bombing cultural sites, including the iconic church of Shushi, dehumanizing the POWs Azerbaijan and Turkey swept deep into the republic occupying vast settlements and killing dozens of civilians.

Americans for Artsakh remember the victims of the 44-day aggression launched by aggressive and radical forces. We applaud the most recent decision by the U.S. House of Representatives demanding from Azerbaijan to release all nearly 200 POWs that are still kept in Baku’s prison in dehumanizing conditions.

We call the American and international media and humans rights organizations to report the truth about the Armenian hostages putting pressure on Azerbaijan for the unconditional return of all POWs. We call the press to showcase Azerbaijan’s brutal and repressive behavior and pressure Ilham Aliyev’s regime.

On this historic day, we stand in solidarity with the freedom-loving brothers and sisters of Artsakh.

Americans for Artsakh welcome the growing resistance to Azerbaijani propaganda on the Khojaly Massacre

April 1, 2021

During the last week of February 2021, Azeri Turks around the world commemorated the 29th anniversary of the self-proclaimed bloodiest episode in their country’s recent history. Azerbaijan’s government claims that in one night alone, on 26 February 1992, 613 Azeri civilians died, including 169 women and children. Azerbaijan also claims that Armenian soldiers committed this massacre. Azerbaijan uses this propaganda to promote hatred of Armenians and deflect responsibility for the massacre of Armenians in Azerbaijan. As a result of this racist Turkish propaganda, thousands of Turks gathered in Ankara, Istanbul and Baku demanding revenge on the Armenians during the last week of February, 2021.

The so called Khojalu murder of civilians occurred in the suburbs of Agdam which was under Azerbaijani control at the time when the tragedy occurred, and not(!) in Khojaly.

The claims of the “Khojaly massacre” were never verified by independent investigators. The site of the alleged massacre is about 10 miles from Khojaly, near the town of Agdam. The facts from international observers showed that the Azeris altered the bodies between the dates of March 2 and 5, 1992 when the two inspections were performed by international journalists. The murder of these civilians occurred in the suburbs of Agdam which was under Azerbaijani control at the time when the tragedy occurred, and not(!) in Khojaly. The Armenian self-defense forces took over the settlement of Khojaly to end the bombing and suppress the fire positions coming from Khojaly and hitting Stepanakert, the capital of the Republic of Artsakh. However, it was fully verified by the international observers that the self-defense forces of Artsakh left a corridor for the soldiers and civilians to withdraw. Both sides acknowledge that Azeri soldiers and civilians of Khojaly fled the city. Armenian self-defenses did not spread out into the suburbs and attack anyone. They entered the city after the soldiers and civilians retreated and later retreated to form a new self-defense line.

In an interview with Czech Journalist Dana Mazalova, Ayaz Moutalibov, who was the president of Azerbaijan in 1992, blamed the National Front of Azerbaijan for arranging this crime with the purpose of overthrowing his government, which followed soon after so called Khojaly Massacre.

Azerbaijani government blames the Armenians for the tragedy in Khojaly without providing substantial factual evidence on the mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths of 613 civilians. However, in an interview with Czech Journalist Dana Mazalova, Ayaz Moutalibov, who was the president of Azerbaijan in 1992, blamed the National Front of Azerbaijan for arranging this crime with the purpose of overthrowing his government (which followed soon). Father and son Aliyevs, who have ruled as President for 28 continuous years since 1992, never initiated an objective international investigation to respond to the existing questions regarding the Khojaly tragedy. President Aliyev has used the tragic event to promote hatred of Armenians and legitimize racism and discrimination against any Armenians living in Azerbaijan.

The attempts by Turkish and Azeri community organizations last month to manipulate U.S. politicians did not sway public opinion in America. The lobbying efforts by Turkish and Azerbaijani community organizations had little effect and in some cases the adopted proclamations by city and state officials were rescinded, which is a rare occurrence in the U.S. Americans for Artsakh applauds the grass root efforts of the Armenian-American communities across the U.S. to successfully counter the Turkish propaganda last month.

Specifically:

In Minnesota, Governor Tim Waltz first signed the proclamation that involved reference to Khojaly, then revised it by deleting the paragraph referencing Khojaly after local Armenian-Americans expressed their objections to the propaganda efforts.

After receiving objections from the local Armenian community in Boston, MA, Mayor Martin Walsh apologized to the Armenian community for the Khojaly proclamation and rescinded the proclamation.

After receiving objections from the local Armenian community in Boston, MA, Mayor Martin Walsh apologized to the Armenian community for the Khojaly proclamation and rescinded the proclamation.

The City of Portland, Maine’s Mayor, Kathleen M. Snyder, announced in a letter to the Armenian American community today that she rescinded the Khojaly Remembrance Day Mayoral Proclamation, stating that it’s in the “city’s best interest to remove this proclamation from the public record,” reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

Mayor Snyder apologized for the “pain and harm that the issuance of this proclamation has caused.” She also noted that the City of Portland’s process regarding the review of pre-written proclamations has been “changed as a result of this particular experience.”

In Washington, D.C. the electronic flashboard signs on the “Khojaly massacre” were displayed at bus stops financed by an Azerbaijani organization. The advertising company removed the message from the flashboards on February 27, 2021 shortly after they appeared. Americans For Artsakh was among the organizations that protested the propaganda posters on the electronic flashboards at DC Metro bus stops.

On Interstate 95 highway in Philadelphia, PA, a sign supported by a Turkish organization declared that the Turks and Azerbaijanis are ready to live in peace with the Armenians, and questioned whether the Armenians were ready for peace. The Armenian community was offended at the timing of the message after Armenia’s humiliating defeat in the recent war between the two countries. “On September 27, 2020, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and with the participation of mercenaries from the Middle East, attacked Nagorno-Karabagh causing thousands of deaths and massive destruction. Both before and after that Turkey and Azerbaijan conducted joint military maneuvers in vicinity of Armenian settlements. Turkey and Azerbaijan need to testify their readiness to live in peace and harmony with the Armenian people, other than putting paid billboards on the highways” stated Paul Sookiasian, a resident of Philadelphia, in response to the billboard. Following the reaction from the Armenian community of Philadelphia, the advertisement company removed the billboards.

Americans for Artsakh welcomes that the number of U.S. government officials that resist Azerbaijan’s propaganda efforts is growing. Azerbaijan attempts to deflect responsibility for their atrocities and human rights violations committed in Karabakh during the 2020 war. In commemorating the Khojaly tragedy that occurred in the 1992 war, we call on Armenian-American communities and supporters of the Republic of Artsakh to prepare for the next blitzkrieg of Turkish and Azerbaijani propaganda in April as they attempt to sway U.S. public opinion to avoid the Turks responsibility for committing the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and subsequent massacres of Armenians that followed in Azerbaijan throughout the 20^th century.

American for Artsakh, Inc. is a non-profit organization (501 c3), registered in Washington, D.C. The organization is working to bring together American supporters of the international recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Artsakh, and to channel the energy and expertise of Armenian American professionals into practical ways to support the people of Artsakh in their democratic aspirations.

Khojaly:

Between hunger and fire.
Power at the expense of lives

This is a documentary account of the siege of Stepanakert and subsequent Khojaly-related events with a full timeline and witness testimonies.

Siege of Stepanakert –
preceding the Khojaly-related tragedy

The capital of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its Armenian population was a target of a months-long campaign of indiscriminate bombardment by Azerbaijan. The bombardment of Stepanakert and adjacent Armenian towns and villages took place during a total blockade by Azerbaijan and caused mass hunger, widespread destruction and killed or maimed hundreds of civilians. Human Rights Watch reported that the main bases used by Azerbaijani Armed Forces for the bombardment of Stepanakert included the towns of Khojaly and Shusha.

To learn more about the Siege of Stepanakert, the Khojaly operation and subsequent tragic events watch this video and read the Khojaly Fact Sheet.

Artsakhpress Providing News Before, During and After the War in Artsakh

March 3, 2021

Haykaram Nahapetyan
Journalist

In 2014 a group of journalists from Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) set up Artsakhpress to be independent Artsakh’s first news agency. International recognition and a surge of online readers took place in April 2016, during what later became known as Four Day War, when the Azerbaijani Army attacked the Armenian frontline positions in Nagorno Karabakh. Last year, during the 44 days of war, Artsakhpress staff continued to work despite the seemingly never-ending Azerbaijani-Turkish bombardment of Stepanakert. “When we started, we had about 2,000 unique visitors per day. By the time of the 2020 combats, this number had grown about 10 times,” said David Gabrielyan who works with the English news desk of the agency.

During past years, media agencies of Armenia and the diaspora, from Armenpress in Yerevan to Alik in Tehran and Aztag in Lebanon, regularly quoted Artsakhpress’s news updates from Nagorno Karabakh.

“Russia’s Regnum often refers to our Russian news updates, while the English version was checked in the United States, United Kingdom, and also Turkey and Azerbaijan. About 15 to 18 percent of our readers are from the latter two countries. We have prevented many attempts to hack our site during the last war,” David followed up.

Donate to Artsakhpress

The promotional video provided above has been recorded in Stepanakert by Artsakhpress.

In the fall of 2020 Artsakhpress made sure not only that information continued to go out but also that photos and videos of the Azerbaijani-Turkish bombardments reached international media outlets, politicians and the global community.

The last war, unfortunately, significantly affected the economy of Artsakh. However, its previous financial supporters are unable to continue maintaining Artsakhpress: the great destruction and humanitarian disaster have shifted the focus on the most urgent needs.

The US-based Americans4Artsakh organization and Artsakhpress got together in an attempt to make sure that Artsakh’s only news agency continues to pursue its crucial goals. “Our organization is committed to supporting Artsakhpress. We need an objective news service to inform the public,” said board member Jake Bournazian.

“Artsakh has become the frontline of the Armenian nation’s struggle for existence. Supporting Artsakhpress in all dimensions, from providing financial support to facilitating professional exchanges and constructive partnerships, is our most urgent and important task.” said President of Americans4Artsakh Armen Kanayan.

Artsakh Press, office in Stepanakert

Artsakh Press, Stepanakert office — Artsakh Press – Office in Stepanakert

Statement on the De-Occupation of Artsakh

February 24, 2021

Statement on the De-Occupation of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabakh) Territories

Americans for Artsakh condemn Azerbaijan’s attack on Artsakh in September 2020 and call for the international community to apply all pressure on Azerbaijan to withdraw its military forces from the occupied territories of the Republic.

Azerbaijan’s full-scale military aggression against the people of the democratic Republic of Artsakh is a war crime that contains elements of the crime of genocide.

Azerbaijan’s chosen method of warfare was to bomb civilian infrastructure, targeting hospitals, schools, and other civilian areas. In attacking the peaceful population of Artsakh, Azerbaijan crudely violated international humanitarian law, in particular – the Fourth Geneva Convention, also known as the Geneva Convention relative to Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

The aggressors used incendiary white phosphorus bombs and cluster bombs on civilian targets, as well as other internationally-banned weapons across the Republic. Both before, during, and after the war, Azerbaijan promoted anti-Armenian racism to legitimize these barbaric atrocities.

The Republic of Turkey directly and admittedly participated in the hostilities, on the side of Azerbaijan. Turkey’s high-ranking military officers provided full command and control of the attacking forces. Turkey also hired and transported to Azerbaijan thousands of Islamist terrorist fighters from the Middle East to support the invasion. This fact was officially confirmed by the three co-chairing states of the OSCE Minsk Group (France, Russia and USA), as well as by other countries and numerous international media outlets and human rights NGOs.

As a result of this aggression, hundreds of towns and rural settlements of the Republic of Artsakh came under military occupation. Tens of thousands of people were forced out of their homes. Dozens of settlements were burned and ransacked.

Nearly one thousand Armenian cultural and religious monuments are coming now under the threat of ISIS-style destruction. Many historic churches, like the Cathedral of Holy Savior – the world’s largest Armenian church – and the Green Church in the city of Shushi, have been demonstratively desecrated and vandalized. At the very same time, Azerbaijan continues sabotaging UNESCO’s planned visit to Artsakh’s occupied territories to help rescue this unique part of the global cultural heritage from obliteration. In an instructive example of Azerbaijan’s analogous misdeeds before the war, Baku failed to allow consequent U.S. Ambassadors to visit the world’s largest cluster of Armenian medieval cross-stones (khachkars) located near the town of Julfa (Jugha) in Nakhichevan. The entire collection of thousands of Julfa’s khachkars was eventually demolished by 2005.

The de-occupation of Artsakh territories, return of Armenian refugees to their homes and the protection of Armenian cultural heritage on occupied territories remain a prerequisite for peace and security in the region.

We believe that recognizing the inherent dignity and equality of all mankind are universal values and the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Americans for Artsakh see the above issues as essential to a constructive engagement by the United States as a co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. Liberation of the occupied territories of the Republic of Artsakh and return of people to their homes is a necessary component of the US vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus.

Support ANCA Actions Alert:
Stop Torture of Armenian Captives by Azerbaijan Contact your Senators and Representative now and urge them to take immediate action to stop the torture of Armenian captives

Azerbaijan must stop torture of Armenian captives

Americans for Artsakh calls for protection of the Christian monuments in Artsakh

January 21, 2021

During both the recent aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) and afterwards, the government of Azerbaijan showed no respect to the Christian Armenian cultural monuments. Azerbaijan’s government’s notorious habit of destruction of the Christian Armenian cultural heritage has turned into one of defining moments of the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. An abundance of historic evidences leaves no space for hesitation: Baku pursues a state policy of either destruction of the Christian Armenian heritage or spares no effort to present them as non-Armenian monuments.

In 2005, the video recording of how the Azerbaijani soldiers destroy the millennia-old Christian monuments of Nakhichevan reflected the final and ultimate destruction of the Armenian millenia-old cemetery of Juga. The European Parliament and UNESCO condemned this act of vandalism. The United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted the destruction of Juga cemetery in its 2015 report on Azerbaijan recommending that this Caspian republic to be watched closely by the U.S. government. Consequent U.S. ambassadors Matt Bryza and Richard Morningstar, despite attempts, were not allowed to visit the site by the government of Azerbaijan. In 2005, the Norwegian Embassy to Baku reported that authorities deliberately changing the Armenian identity of the church in the settlement of Nij, that a Norwegian organization was reconstructing, and misrepresenting it as an Albanian church.

During the most recent aggression against Artsakh Azerbaijan twice bombed the main cathedral in the town of Shushi. Later, after Shushi’s capture, the church was vandalized. The St John the Baptist church, known also Green Church of Shushi was partially demolished, recent reports suggest that Kataro monastery has been damaged as well. The deployment of the peacekeepers from Russia provides assurances and protection to several Christian monuments like Dadivank and others. However, considering the ongoing vandalization reports, we recognize the importance of global measures to secure the safety of all monuments at all time.

We call the U.S. Administration and the U.S. Commission for the International Religious Freedom to follow closely to situation with the Christian Armenian monuments in Artsakh. We hope that both U.S., as well as international watchdog organization will report about the Armenian monuments of Nagorno-Karabakh and include the topic in their annual reports. AFA condemns in strongest terms the violence against Christian monuments by Azerbaijan and calls the government of Azerbaijan to uphold its international commitments and obligations regarding religious freedom and democratic values.

Yervand Nersisyan scholarship program is expanding

October 12, 2020

Americans4Artsakh (AfA) is increasing its support for educational programs through the expansion of the Yervand Nersisyan scholarship program. Thanks to the generous contributions of Yervand, students from the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who are studying at various colleges in Armenia receive monthly stipends. Launched first in 2016 with the ability to assist two students from Artsakh, the program has gradually expanded to helping seven students by 2020 and is planned to reach eight students in 2021. The contributions towards this program from Yervand Nersisyan have totaled 31,000 U.S. dollars to date.

In recognition of Yervand’s dedication to the education of young Armenians from Artsakh, Americans4Artsakh announced in 2020 that the scholarship program will be named after Yervand Nersisyan. “During these difficult albeit heroic days when our nation is engaged in the righteous struggle for protecting our motherland and the freedom of Artsakh, I see the education in general and the more particularly knowledge-based economy as a key for the prosperity of Armenians”, said Mr. Nersisyan.

Yervand Nersisyan of New York City, originally from Artsakh, is a professional in the financial industry.

Aram Vanyan

I was born in October 1999 in Stepanakert, the capital city of Artsakh. I am in my 4th year at the Information Security Department of the Information Systems and Informatics Faculty of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.

How important is the scholarship to you?

The scholarship plays a significant role in my life as it helps concentrate on my studies without focusing on any financial difficulties.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

The scholarship offers additional motivation to better study as you have an inner feeling to prove you are worth of getting it.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

In future I am planning to continue my further education in the IT sphere. Hope to get an appropriate job in the Republic of Armenia.

Shahine Martirosyan

I was born in October 2001 in the village of Garnaqar of Martakert region. In 2019 I became a student of the Information Technologies and Applied Mathematics department of the faculty of Natural Science at Artsakh State University. Now I am a second-year student.

How important is the scholarship to you?

When I was in my first year at University I spent my scholarship on English classes to improve my English. At present the scholarship has made it possible to rent a flat in Stepanakert.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

Due to the scholarship the aspiration is increasing.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

In future I am planning to work as a teacher at school and at the same time as a programmer. I can imagine my future only in Artsakh. I want to contribute all my knowledge and skills to the development of the IT sphere in Artsakh.

Artur Hakobyan

I was born in August 1999 in victorious city of Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. I finished specialized school after A. Shahinyan Stepanakert branch in 2016. The same year I was admitted to the Design of Buildings of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the National University of Armenia. From 2018-2020 I served in the Armed Forces of The Republic of Artsakh. After the Army I continued my education and now I am a 3rd -year student.

The importance of getting the scholarship is the fact that all my attention and efforts are paid to my studies which contributes to better studying. My profession is currently in demand to get rid of the aftermath of the war. Thus, I have decided to work in my country.

Shushanik Hayrapetyan

I was born in December 2001 in the village of Vank of Martakert region. I am a first-year student at the department of Semiconductors Physics and Microelectronics at the Institute of Information and Telecommunication Technologies and Electronics at the National Polytechnic University in Armenia.

How important is the scholarship to you?

The scholarship has given me a little bit of financial independence from my parents. I do not ask them for much money. I am not worried about money and there is no need to look for a job. Frankly speaking, I am able to work and take care of myself, but it seems really difficult being a freshman to adjust to studies at University, to a new environment and to work at the same time.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

First of all, I am not worried about money and pay all my attention to my studies. Besides, I can save some money to buy a computer which will help me in my future education.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

The faculty, I have chosen, studies the construction of complex equipment and solar panels. Today, the scientific world goes for renewable energy and I want to join them. In future I want to deal with the construction of solar panels. In case of opportunity I would like to start producing them in Artsakh. It may seem impossible but in future I want to export solar panels from Artsakh with the label “Made in Artsakh”. I think it will lead to peace in our region. The more we export to various countries the more we benefit. I believe in our generation. I am sure there are lots of smart young people who will achieve tops due to their hard working and desire. Moreover, I like Physics very much, and I hope, I will be able to learn Quantum Physics, be in science and develop it in Artsakh.

Elen Amirjanyan

I was born in July 2001 in the village of Qarin Tak of Shushi region. Currently I am a sophomore at the Faculty of General Medicine at the Yerevan Medical University after M. Heratsi.

How important is the scholarship to you?

The scholarship covers all my education expenses.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

First of all, the scholarship is an important stimulus and the fact of having it makes you feel appreciated. The absence of the scholarship makes it difficult to solve a number of financial issues.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

The prior thing to me is to become a good specialist and in future, being in the professional sphere, to help get rid of the deficiencies and do all the best to improve it.

Srbuhi Ohanyan is from Stepanakert, Artsakh Republic. Srbuhi is a Student of the Yerevan State University in the fields of Mathematics and Mechanics.

Ohanyan Srbuhi

I was born in March 2002 in Stepanakert, Artsakh. In 2019 I was admitted at the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of Yerevan State University (math course). Now I am in my 2nd year at University.

How important is the scholarship to you?

Due to the scholarship I have had the opportunity to get qualified education at Alma Mater and live in Yerevan without bothering my parents with financial issues.

How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?

It is commonly known that studying well is the basis of becoming a good specialist. And the scholarship motivates me to study better. Otherwise, I can lose the opportunity of getting it.

What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?

As a future mathematician I see myself in the IT sphere. My goal is to help others be involved in the sphere. And why not to become one of the donors of the foundation in the case of opportunity.

In my opinion every person has to have his or her contribution in the development of their country. Before the war I was doubting whether becoming a teacher or an IT specialist. However, as the war ended, taking into account all the events, I decided to become an IT specialist and develop Artsakh by involving too many people into the sphere.

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Footer

The interview with Armen Sargsyan,
Rector of the Artsakh State University.

Between hunger and fire.
Power at the expense of lives

Siege of Stepanakert –
preceding the Khojaly-related tragedy

Statement on the De-Occupation of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabakh) Territories