STEPANAKERT, MAY 9, ARMENPRESS. Citizens of Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh gathered at the central plaza in Stepanakert city for the No to Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh movement’s rally on May 9.

The rally began with a prayer at the Renaissance Square , followed by a moment of silence in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWII and the Nagorno Karabakh wars.

The participants of the rally reiterated their demands and determination to struggle for their right to live freely.

The text of a recently launched petition addressed to the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries and the Armenian Prime Minister was read.

The petition warns that Azerbaijan is carrying out a policy of ethnic cleansing, genocidal actions aimed at depriving the people of their homeland and is keeping 120,000 Armenians blockaded. It also mentions the gross violations of the 2020 ceasefire agreement – the trilateral statement – by Azerbaijan.

“We demand the application of all international mechanisms to ensure the terms of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement, as well as the implementation of the UN International Court of Justice ruling,” reads the petition.

Former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan was also in attendance.

“On April 23, Azerbaijan violated the red lines and installed a checkpoint. The violation of these red lines makes us struggle, as honorable men, because we have no other option. No one should restrict our free access and exit in and from Armenia. We are under blockade for already 149 days, we don’t have gas and power, and you know the situation in Sarsang reservoir. We have many problems, but we are not giving up. Yes, the situation is difficult, but one thing is certain, there can be no talk about any so-called reintegration. We are defending our home, our cities and villages, the graves of our ancestors, our right to live on our land. We don’t want to attack anyone, we want a calm and happy life in our homeland. We are ready for negotiations, but these negotiations cannot take place with the gun to our head, but only in case of mutual respect,” Vardanyan said, calling on Armenians around the world to be united for Artsakh.

President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan, together with former presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, were also in attendance.