1in.am In New York, the initiative group from Baku has presented the theme of "Western Azerbaijan" not only as an Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute but as part of the agenda of international rights and decolonization. From New Caledonia to Corsica, from the Caribbean to Sikh circles, the choice of participation itself demonstrates the method. Baku is trying to link its political demand to broader and more sensitive concepts such as the right of return, self-determination, historical injustice, and the legacy of colonialism. Thus, the local political thesis gradually acquires an international vocabulary, while the international vocabulary gains political weight.

 

Baku is gradually trying to introduce the idea of "Western Azerbaijan" into international discussions and make it a common political topic.

 

International agendas are not built solely on facts. They require a long-term presence, consistent defense of the same theses, and work with various audiences. When any idea is voiced for years in diplomatic, academic, human rights, and expert platforms, it gradually becomes an accepted topic of international discussion.

 

The danger of the absence of Armenians is precisely this. If the rights of Artsakh Armenians are not discussed with the same consistency, over time, the narrative presented in the international arena becomes more organized and coherent. In international politics, a fact gains strength only when it has a voice, representation, and continuity.

 

In September 2023, the fact of the displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh was recorded by the UN. Two months later, the International Court of Justice demanded that Azerbaijan ensure the safe, unhindered, and rapid return of those wishing to return, as well as maintain their personal documents, records, and property data.

 

In other words, the issue of the return of Artsakh Armenians also has an international legal basis. There are facts, there are court decisions, there are documents. The challenge is to transform them into a consistent political and legal agenda.

 

The issue of the return of Artsakh Armenians is based on the facts of people's displacement, the right to property, cultural heritage, international judicial acts, and individual biographies. That foundation exists and is quite substantial for international legal and political work.

 

The problem lies elsewhere. Law does not remain on the agenda by itself. It must be constantly presented, documented, defended, and brought to the institutions that shape international perceptions. Otherwise, even a solid legal foundation loses visibility over time, while the political space is filled with formulations from the more active side.

 

The state policy of Armenia has limited opportunities in this regard. Yerevan is engaged in the peace process and must consider every step in the overall context of negotiations. However, this does not mean that the topic should be excluded from the international agenda.

 

The main responsibility here falls on public and professional organizations. They can engage freely in the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians, property, cultural heritage, and other rights in legal, academic, and international platforms.

 

Who is systematically engaged in the international protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians? Where are the NGOs of Artsakh Armenians, diaspora organizations, the Armenian Cause, the Armenian Assembly, international lawyers, university and human rights centers?

 

This issue will yield results only with long-term and organized work. There needs to be a center that will gather facts, prepare legal materials, work with international organizations and expert circles, and ensure the constant presence of the topic. Individual statements may attract attention, but continuous work creates political weight.

 

In the meantime, Baku is forming its international bases. The topic of "Western Azerbaijan" is linked to various movements and groups advocating for decolonization, self-determination, and historical injustice. The goal of this work is to take its thesis out of the confines of a bilateral dispute and give it a broader international resonance.

 

The Armenian side needs continuous and organized work that will connect legal arguments, expert knowledge, public initiative, and international communication. Only then will individual steps become a unified political line.

 

A permanent international center should be established to deal with the rights of the return of Artsakh Armenians, property, and heritage. It should gather and systematize legal cases, digitize data on lost property, document cultural heritage, preserve testimonies, and prepare multilingual materials for international organizations, universities, and expert centers. This work should become continuous, not a reaction from case to case.

 

The diaspora has the funds, specialists, and connections for this.

 

The Armenian Church has a community network in almost all major capitals.

 

Armenian lawyers work in Washington, New York, Paris, Brussels, and London.

 

Artsakh Armenians have the most important thing: their own history.

 

There is no need to invent new facts. It is necessary to gather, verify, systematize, translate, and deliver the existing material to the people and institutions that shape international perceptions. Tomorrow, reports, resolutions, judicial documents, research, and university courses may arise from that material. If Armenian facts do not enter that circulation in a timely manner, someone else's narrative will occupy that space.

 

Historical memory fades when facts are not gathered, testimonies are not preserved, and rights are not defended for a long time.

 

This event in New York illustrates that very danger. There is no empty space in the international arena. If you do not present your story, someone else will present it—in their language, with their emphasis, and for their purposes.

 

There is an international legal basis for the return of Artsakh Armenians, there are displaced people, property rights, documents, heritage, and memory. What is lacking is only long-term, organized, and professional work that will keep all this on the international agenda.

 

The question now is about responsibility—who will take this matter upon themselves and consistently keep it on the international agenda, because an unprotected right loses not only visibility over time but also its power.