Stepanakert rally demands recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh

The recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh's independence will help ensuring security of the local population, especially in the context of the aggravation of the situation on the Azerbaijani border, the participants in the action held in Stepanakert have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 24, the information headquarters of the unrecognized republic stated that Azerbaijani militaries had violated the contact line in the Askeran District. According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the unrecognized republic, on March 25, three Armenian soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded.

On Saturday (March 26), the initiative group of women entitled "In the name of the future of Artsakh (the self-name of Nagorno-Karabakh, – note of the "Caucasian Knot")" held a rally in Stepanakert. Its participants appealed to the UN and other international structures.

Kristin Balayan, a member of the initiative group, has stated that for a safe life the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh's independence is a must. She has noted that "now all the Armenians must unite for the sole purpose of showing the world that we have the right to self-determination."

Asmik Arushanyan, an educator, believes that "it is necessary that the people make it clear to the world that we want to live and create on our own land." "Peacemakers must step up their activities to protect the civilian population; they must finally force Azerbaijanis to stop the aggression against Artsakh and its civilian population," she has stated.

Nunik Airapetyan, a mother of four children, said that "we must not hesitate." "Every minute of delay can be fatal. Therefore, I came to the square to claim my rights to life," the woman has declared.