Following the complete depopulation of Artsakh, on November 23, 2023, by the decree of Ilham Aliyev, the "University of Karabakh" was established, slated to commence operations from September 2024 in the city of Stepanakert, within the premises of the Artsakh State University. Currently, construction works are in progress at the Artsakh State University site. The entire facade of the building is concealed with scaffolding, and all cladding added during the buildings recent renovation has been removed.

The inscription "State University of Artsakh" in Armenian has already been removed from the main facade. It is likely that the inscription "Know wisdom and wisdom, know my language as a genius" will be removed as well.

Artsakh State University was established in 1969 as the Stepanakert branch of the Lenin Pedagogical Institute, formerly known as "Baku V." In 1973, it gained independent status and was renamed the Stepanakert State Pedagogical Institute. Over the years, the university's campus underwent significant reconstruction, reinforcement, and expansion, with new buildings constructed through the support of the Armenia All-Armenian Fund.

Before the complete occupation of Artsakh, the university boasted 5 faculties, 15 chairs, approximately 3000 students, and 200 lecturers. The university library housed over 100,000 pieces of literature and also accommodated a publishing house responsible for periodicals such as the "Scientific Bulletin," "Armenian Science Journal," and "University of Artsakh." Additionally, a monument commemorating the 75 students who lost their lives in the first Artsakh war was erected in the university courtyard.

After the complete occupation and depopulation of Artsakh, the activities of Artsakh State University ceased, leaving its entire heritage at risk of destruction. The Azerbaijani side is establishing a "new university" in a city devoid of Armenian population. Students of this university are expected to come from other regions of Azerbaijan, for which one of the districts of Stepanakert will be allocated as a dormitory area. From recent photos circulating, it is evident that areas adjacent to the university, including residential and private houses, are being demolished.

Our response

The transformation of the Stepanakert University founded in 1969, including the erasure of writings, deliberate destruction of the rich library, and infrastructure, represents the next stage of Azerbaijan's systematic policy aimed at eradicating the Armenian heritage. Such actions flagrantly violate Article 4 of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Time of Armed Conflict and Article 15(a) of the Second Protocol of 1999.