We, a group of people who stand for peace, from the post-Soviet space and its neighborhood exhausted by never-ending wars and growing imperialist rivalry on our territories, are full of rage as we have observed Azerbaijan’s recent large-scale attack on Armenia. This, coupled with Russian Federation’s attack on Ukraine and the renewed military clashes in border areas between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, raises heavy concerns regarding possible future escalations not only in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict but all other conflicts in the post-Soviet space.
The recent attack on Armenia has costed hundreds of lives within two days from both sides of the conflict, caused serious destruction to civil infrastructure in Armenia, displaced thousands, and further widened the gap between the countries and their people. We raise our persistent voices against the continuing warfare.
The second Karabakh war two years ago was a devastating experience, from which the Armenian and Azerbaijani societies have not yet recovered and remain deeply antagonized. Officials need to finally understand that military means cannot solve the conflict but they only deepen the divide between the two countries and cause more violence and human suffering. We welcome the truce that halted the violence on September 15 and demand for permanent return to the negotiation table without any further escalations or violence.
The Azerbaijani side should realize that the “corridors” cannot be opened, and a peace treaty cannot be achieved through military aggression. Such prospects are unacceptable for people whose daily lives would presumably be crossed over by these “corridors,” as they will not let borderland populations on both sides cooperate with each other. No one can be forced into peace. Officials in Armenia, in turn, should recognize the damage their rigid negotiation position had done for over 30 years, including the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis, and their refusal to compromise and settle the conflict in a timely manner.
Negotiations “mediated” behind closed doors, that do not take into consideration the livelihood and human needs of people affected, are doomed to fail. The best mediators for interstate negotiations are non-state peace-oriented/peacebuilding communities of both countries who have a great experience of overcoming their own disputes and facilitating dialogues between other people from their countries with antagonistic positions.
We see the clear connection of the developments in Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and peace processes with the dynamics of the war in Ukraine. The deadly war in Ukraine has caused great turbulence and instabilities in the wider region, exposing the simple truth that violence creates more violence. There is no military solution to any conflict and human life is of absolute value. The only priority should be nonmilitary diplomatic solutions that are always possible regardless of whatever statesmen try to convince us. The inability or unwillingness of states to solve the problems through non-violent means and ensure human security can no longer be tolerated.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, we’ve lived through decades of violence. We continue to suffer through regularly recurring warfare on the territory of Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. We are deeply concerned about overt attempts to reopen the Moldovan/Transdniestrian, Georgian/Abkhaz and Georgian/Ossetian conflicts. The confrontation between NATO and the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine is playing out primarily at the expense of lives of people in Ukraine and, increasingly, residents of Russian regions adjacent to Ukraine. Moreover, hundreds of military men from Ukraine and Russia are killed daily.
If we stay on the current trajectory, it is only a matter of time until the ongoing and recurring warfare in different regions of Eurasia will synergize with one another and with wars in other parts of this world, turning into a bigger regional or global war and sacrificing more and more people from numerous countries.
We cannot afford this! We do not call for peace – we demand peace! We demand that governments commit to non-use of force, to engage in genuine search for diplomatic solutions that prioritize human security, and to stop interfering with, and better yet, support people-to-people contacts and peacebuilding.
We demand that international actors involved in the official negotiations ensure that the voices of people affected by conflict are heard and that people-to-people negotiations and human security considerations are at least on an equal footing with the official negotiation process.
18.09.2022
To join the statement, send us your full name, country and profession at postsovietpeace@gmail.com.
Signatures:
Flora Ghazaryan, Armenia/Austria, historian
Nazrin Gadimova, Azerbaijan/Turkey, conflict studies researcher
Katya Korableva, Russia, social researcher
Lilit Gizhlaryan, Armenia
Marina Danoyan, Finland/Armenia, peacebuilding practitioner
Vadim Romashov, Finland/Russia, peace researcher
Sevil Huseynova, Azerbaijan/Germany, social researcher
Diana Yayloyan, Russia/Armenia, researcher in conflict studies
Mete Ulutaş, Turkey, anthropologist
Leon Aslanov, UK
Ivan Nikolovski, Austria/North Macedonia, Political Science scholar
Dunja Milenkovic, Austria, medievalist
Shirin Tumenbaeva, Kyrgyzstan/Austria, political scientist
Lala Darchinova, Azerbaijan, Feminist Peace Collective
Sevinj Samadzade, Azerbaijan, Feminist Peace Collective
Saadat Abdullazade, Azerbaijan, Feminist Peace Collective
Burcu Becermen, Turkey, Interpreter
Arpi Bekaryan, Armenia, journalist
Rustam Ismayilbayli, Azerbaijan, activist
Zakir Bayramov, Azerbaijan, human rights activist
Rovshan Mammadli, Azerbaijan, student
Nika Musavi, Georgia/Azerbaijan, journalist
Samir Akhundzada, Azerbaijan, historian
Samira Alakbarli, Azerbaijan,Social and Political Science Researcher
Toghrul Abbasov, Azerbaijan, social researcher
Hermine Virabian, Armenia/Georgia, journalist
Laman Orujova, Azerbaijan, economist
Samad Shikhi, Azerbaijan, writer
Nışan Güreh, Turkey, Nor Zartonk Activist
Ayaz Shirinov, Azerbaijan, designer
Emel Kurma, Turkey, rights defender
Farid Ismayilov, Azerbaijan, journalist
Lilit Dabagian, Kyrgyzstan, independent researcher
Aliheydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan, student/activist
Ali Malikov, Azerbaijan, LGBTQ+ activist
Elvin Jabizadeh, Azerbaijan, Filmmaker
Loghman Gasimov, Azerbaijan, doctor
Philip Gamaghelyan, Armenia/USA, peace and conflict scholar
Sergey Rumyansev, Azerbaijan/Germany, sociologist
Atuf Guliyev, Azerbaijan, student
Polad Gulushov, Azerbaijan, economist
Keti Kapanadze, Georgia, restaurant manager
Zarina Sanakoeva, South Ossetia, peace activist
Josh Nadeau, Georgia/Canada, dialogue practitioner and researcher
Zamira Abbasova, Netherlands, peace activist
Eva Gabrielian, Canada, attorney
Tamara Atayan, France, biochemist/pharmacologist
Karine Ter-Gabrielyan,
Rita Ohanyan, Armenia, chemistry teacher
Husik Ghulyan, Armenia, independent scholar
Leyli Gafarova, Azerbaijan, filmmaker
Naila Dadash-zadeh, Azerbaijan, artist
Gunel Movlud, Azerbaijan, writer/member of PEN
Darin Morsel, Georgia, Photographer
Artsrun Pivazyan, Armenia, activist
Eric Rubenz, USA, business owner
Arnold Aleverdian, USA, peacebuilder/PhD student
Anahit Aslanyan, Armenia
Ani Paitjan, Armenia, journalist
Agabeg Simonian, Armenia, videographer
Anna Leontyeva, Armenia/Russia, policy researcher
Araz Baghirov, Azerbaijan, social researcher
Mikail Mamedov, USA, PhD Historian
Shushanna Tevanyan, Armenia, graduate of University of San Diego, Kroc School of Peace Studies
Sofia Manukyan, Armenia, researcher- environmentalist
Margarita Tadevosyan, Armenia/USA, Peace and Conflict Resolution, scholar practitioner
Martin Boyadgian, Finland, Architect
Irakli Kokhtashvili, Georgia, accountant
Stepan Danoyan, Armenia, Radio-engineer, Armenia
Irina Danoyan, France/Armenia, Supply Planner
Asya Ghazaryan, Finland/Armenia, Economist
Leyla Jafarova, Azerbaijan, anthropologist
Hakob Karapetyan, Armenia, journalist
Aynur Abutalibova, Baku, Azerbaijan, Graphic Designer
Hamida Giyasbayli, Azerbaijan, Peaceworker
Gunay Kazimli, Azerbaijan/Italy, Data analyst
Eviya Hovhannisyan, Armenia, anthropologist
Sona Dilanyan, Armenia
Vlada Baranova, Russia, sociolinguist
Mehmet Muslimov, Russia, linguist
Anastasiia Melkonian, Russia/Armenia, teacher\
Todar Baktemir, Russia/Armenia/Israel, journalist
Norayr Olgar, Turkey, Nor Zartonk, Activist
Sayat Tekir, Turkey, Nor Zartonk, Activist
Alexis Kalk, Turkey, Nor Zartonk, Activist
Oxana Karpenko, Russia, sociologist
Mariam Pesvianidze, Georgia, film director
Hovhannes Tumanyan, Armenia/USA, musician
Ayla Azizova, Azerbaijan/The Netherlands, Architect
Arifa Kapba, Abkhazia, journalist
Ali Hamidian, Iran, Youth Activist
Diego Ardouin, Argentina, Bright Garden Voices Activist
Nurzada Sadyrbekova, Kyrgyzstan, Activist
Clare Bath, USA, student/activist
Sabina Aliyeva, Azerbaijan/The Netherlands, dutch council for refugees
Afiaddin Mammadov, Azerbaijan, Democracy 1918 Movement, politician
Joshgun Gafarov, Azerbaijan, Baku city, Political activist
Denis Agamalyan, Russia, Insurance Company
Petar Parvanov, Bulgaria, archeologist
Giyas Ibrahim, Azerbaijan, political activist
Tinay Mushdiyeva, Azerbaijan, researcher
Andrea Mansoorian, United States, Graduate Student
Samson Martirosyan, Armenia, journalist
Ofelya Aliyeva, Azerbaijan, International Development and Cooperation scholar
Arpy Manusyan, Armenia, sociologist, researcher
Mariam Khalatyan, Armenia, Sociologist
Nvard Margaryan, Armenia, researcher
Rufat Demirov, North Macedonia, PhD International Relations
Markus Sattler, Germany, geographer
Armen Ohanyan, President of PEN Armenia
Philipp Pankraz, Austria, Sound engineer, Musician
Mirabbos Khikmatilloev - Uzbekistan/Hungary, Data Analyst/Researcher
Lusine Kharatyan, Armenia, cultural anthropologist and writer
Ari Hadjian, Argentina-Armenia, Architect
Chirkova Natal'ya, Russia, freelance
Leyla Hasanova, Azerbaijan, gender researcher
Muhammet Mazı, Turkey/Austria, PhD History
Lilit Ghazaryan, Armenia, activist
Patricia Neruta, Moldova/ Portugal, Political Science and International Relations Student
Harutyun Sargsyan, Armenia, QA
Amassia Niziblian, Armenia. Artist
Vilen Danielyan, Armenia, Project manager
Dilnovoz Abdurazzakova, Uzbekistan/ Austria PhD student Economics
Sahila Jabbarova, Azerbaijan, Translator, Researcher, Student
Chirkinyan Anna, Russia, dentist
Akhundov Ravan, Azerbaijan, student
Karim Agayev, Azerbaijan, Psychologist
Mirkamran Huseynli, Azerbaijan, Researcher
Gohar Shahnazaryan, Armenia, sociologist
Ani Tuniyants, Armenia, QA Engineer
Anna Ohanyan, USA/Armenia, Professor of Political Science, mother of three children
Said Alimirzoev, The Netherlands, Dj/Promoter
Olga Brednikova, sociologist
Toghrul Valiyev, Azerbaijan, economist
Vusal Khalilov, Azerbaijan, researcher
Durna Safarova, Azerbaijan, journalist, and filmmaker
Xaqani Hass, Turkey-Azerbaijan, poet-writer
Mammad Azizov, Azerbaijan, war studies researcher
Emil Novruzov, Azerbaijan, factory worker
Giorgi Iskandar, Belgium, Tourism
Mariam Yeghiazaryan, Armenia, an earthling, independent journalist, documentary filmmaker
Melanie Goushian, USA, student
Samira Suleymanova, Azerbaijan/Russia/Turkey, philologist
Giorgi Gotua, Georgia, social researcher
Lele Jobava, Georgia, journalist/peace activist
Veronika Aghajanyan, Armenia, project manager
Nijat Eldarov, Azerbaijan, researcher
Günel Mamedova, Russia/Wales/Azerbaijan, historian, art manager
Veronika Pfeilschifter, Germany, social scientist at Institute for Caucasus Studies Jena
Oleksandra Nenko, Helsinki, University of the Arts
Eldar Haji, Azerbaijan
Aram Amirbekian, Armenia, journalist
Tural Ismayil-zadeh, Turkey, Researcher
Valeriia Soloveva, Russia/Finland, Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research Student
Suriya Talibova, Azerbaijan/The Netherlands, philologist
Anna Dasjan, Azerbaijan/The Netherlands, social worker
Nigar Amrah, Azerbaijan, student
Anna Nikoghosyan, Armenia, feminist scholar and activist
Karén Karslyan, Armenia/USA, writer, Chairman of Peace Committee of PEN Armenia
Alexander Sicheneder, Germany, Political Science Student
Arpi Balyan, Armenia, cultural anthropologist, artist, activist
Karl Lebt, Germany/ Ukraine/ Azerbaijan, lawyer
Sanay Yaghmur, Azerbaijan, feminist activist
Bahruz Samadov, Azerbaijan, researcher
Armen Harutyunyan, Armenia, architect
Gumru Aliyeva, Azerbaijan, political scientist and feminist activist
Elnara Gulieva, Russia, analyst
Aytən Fərhadova, Azerbaijan/Georgia, journalist
Havva Hazer, Turkey, housewife
Mariam Hovsepyan, Armenia / Germany, Finance consultant
Anastasiia Danilova, Moldova, GENDERDOC-M
Ezo Özer, Turkey, journalist
Yasmin Bashirova, US/Azerbaijan, tech specialist, pro-peace activist
Ümit Kıvanç, Turkey, documentary filmmaker and journalist
Ekaterina Chigaleichik, Russia, anthropologist
Vafa Hanlar, Azerbaijan/Aorearoa, Insights Analyst
Kevork Oskanian, England, Lecturer in Comparative Politics, University of Exeter
Kamran Kazımi, Azerbaijan, programmer
Lilit Abrahamyan Empson Armenia/ Switzerland, psychiatrist
Arpine Papikyan, Armenia/Germany, PhD candidate
Lala Aliyeva, Azerbaijan, documentary filmmaker
Müge Yamanyılmaz, Turkey, civil society worker
Akın Birdal, Turkey, human rights defender
Amrah Tahmazov, Azerbaijan, political activist
Sascha B. Garibyan, Germany/Armenia, Investor
Ivleyeva Darya, Russia, logistician
Nil Delahaye, Turkey, activist
Anna Cieślewska, Poland/Georgia, a social anthropologist,
Shujaat Ahmadzada, the United Kingdom, researcher
Sabina Rahimova, Azerbaijan, activist
Tina Hakobyan,USA,accountat receivables
Bondarenko Olesya, russia, c# developer
Semra Somersan. Sociologist retired Assoc Prof
Yıldız Önen, Turkey, political scientist
Natia Natsvlishvili, Georgia, architectural historian
Ela Nuroğlu, France/Turkey, musician in Collectif Medz Bazar
Anna Sukiassian, Armenia/The Netherlands, Political Science Student
Karim Maiche, Finland, researcher
Özdeş Özbay, Türkiye, radyo programcısı
Karine Ghazaryan, Armenia, AML specialist
Sopio Gogsadze, Georgia
Alexandra Ramsay, Finland, historian, teacher
Vafa Naghiyeva, Azerbaijan, feminist activist
Lili Nazarov, Georgia, LGBTQI+ rights activist
Turkay Gasimli, Azerbaijan/Italy, historian
Thijs Korsten, Netherlands/Germany, researcher
Gillet Thierry, France, chef d'entreprise
Aliya Hagverdi, Azerbaijan/Estonia, editor
Jonas Korfhage, Germany/Georgia
Daniel Tahmazyan, Armenia/Germany, Student MA Modern History University of Jena
Sidney Pruß, Germany, Student BA Ernährungswissenschaften (Nutritional Science) University of Jena
Polina Ivanova, Germany/Armenia, historian
Bruno Lefort, Finland, researcher
Rossen Djagalov, Bulgaria, university teacher
Aysel Aziziva, Azerbaijan, journalist
Fethiye Çetin, Turkey, Avukat
Valentina Gevorgyan, Armenia, researcher
Pelin Buzluk, Turkey, writer (member of PEN)
Luciana Minassian, Assistant to Legal aspects of Armenian Genocide course, University of Buenos Aires, Law School, Armenian Lawyers from Argentina
Sergeeva Anna, Russia, student
Arakelyan Gayane, Finland, teacher of drawing and drafting, Аракелян Гаянэ, Финляндия, учитель рисования и черчения
Samuel Halton, Ireland/ USA, Conflict Studies Researcher
Rovshana Orujova, Azerbaijan/ Germany, social scientist
Heghine Grigoryan, digital marketing specialist
Anahit Baghdasaryan, Armenia
Gevorg Kehyan, Humanitarian at International Rescue Committee
Simon Garibyan, Country Georgia/USA, PhD scholar
Sabrina Bellenzier Georgia / Italy artist and curator
Tahmina Musayeva, Azerbaijan, linguist
Vagif Kazim, Azerbaijan, Programmer
Tudor Uscoi, România/Germany, worker
Lusine Kosakyan, Armenia, Peace Activist
Gaga Gvenetadze, Georgia, PhD Student
Hasmik Sargsyan, Armenia/Germany, PhD student/researcher in linguistics
Marek Jandák, Czech Republic, historian
Rasim Mirzayev, Scientist, Managing director of the cultural and scientific association EuroKaukAsia, Germany
Fidan Hasanova, Germany/Azerbaijan, Programmer
Raffi Joe Wartanian, USA/Armenia, educator, writer, organizer
Chinara Majidova, Azerbaijan, Artist
Leyla Alamova, Azerbaijan, student
Laura Luciani, Belgium/Italy, researcher at Ghent Institute for International and European Studies
Nona Shahnazarian, Armenia, a social anthropologist
Patrick Barakat, USA, Marketing Account Manager
Christina Soloyan, Armenia
Sina Kazym, Azerbaijan, teacher
Ali Rahimli / Azerbaijan / Data analyst
Aya Salmenkorva, Finland, MA
Raffi Niziblian, Canada/Armenia, Creative & Strategic Communications Director
Bashir Kitachayev, Azerbaijan\Dagestan, journalist, photographer
Iskandar Ding, China/UK, linguist
Morgan Caillet - France - EurasiaPeace Founder / Peacebuilding Researcher
Yervand Yeghiazaryan, Russia
Haji Zeynalli, Azerbaijan, writer, researcher
Hasmik Tonapetyan, Armenia, Communications Specialist
Karen Tonoyan, Armenia, waiter
Michael Gulyan, Armenia (Feminist, Femlibrary)
Rövşən Rəsulov, Azərbaycan, Mühəndis (engineer)
Roza Hovhannisyan, Armenia
Liza Partsvania, Georgia, International Relations Student
Irina Antonyan-Izraelyan, born in Baku, iving in NY city, US, PTa
Nikita Allgire, United States, PhD Student
Yurii Sheliazhenko, Ukraine, Ukrainian Pacifist Movement
Linda Sartor, USA, Retired professor
Patrick Morger, via savosa paese 4a, 6942 Switzerland
Andrei Trubceac - peacebuilding adviser, nonviolent activist (UA/MD/DE)
Mustafa Aslan, Turkey/Germany, historian PhD
Mehraj Aliyev, Azerbaijan, Researcher
İrfan Kuzu, Türkiye, Artist
Karin Utas Carlsson, Sweden, peace activist, retired physician
Sezgin Rustamov, Azerbaijan, political activist
Ramil Babayev, Azerbaijan, PhD student in Sociology
Latif Mamedov, Azerbaijan, English tutor
Ahmad Ismayilov, Azerbaijan, student
Zhala Bayramova, Azerbaijan, Human Rights Lawyer
Sedulla Rzayev, Azerbaijan, civillian and student
Vugar Bakhshalizade, Azerbaijan, Journalist and Political Analyst
Artoghrul Alishbayli, Netherlands, doctoral researcher in neurosciences
Tatiana Fiodorova, Moldova, artist
Nigar Arabli, Azerbaijan, Analyst
Ramil Zamanov, Czech Republic/Azerbaijan, PhD researcher and Lecturer at Charles University
Lilit Shahverdyan, Armenia, journalist
Teemu Matinpuro, Finland, executive director of Finnish Peace Committee
Umid Alishov, Azerbaijan, Bartender
Laurence Broers, United Kingdom, researcher and practitioner
Agustin Demirdjian, Argentina, Economist
Marit Cremer, Germany, Soziologist
Emmanuel Van Elverdinghe, Belgium, researcher and lecturer
Azer Guliyev, Azerbaijan, Mechanical engineer
Abdulmelik Alkan, Turkey/Georgia, Phd, University of Georgia, Founder of Caucasusreference.net Modern Political Dictionary of Caucasus
Amrah Tahmazov, Azerbaijan, Political Activist
Vafa Naghiyeva, Azerbaijan, feminist
Rasul Mursalov, Azerbaijan, political activist
Javid Akhmedov, Azebaijan, International Relations expert
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