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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-09-17 Daily Xml
Contents
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Motions

Republic of Artsakh

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (16:49): I move:

That this house—

(a) notes that September 2025 marks the fifth anniversary since the start of the 2020 Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war of aggression by Azerbaijan and reaffirms the South Australian Parliament’s decision to recognise the self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh;

(b) notes that 19 September 2025 marks two years since the ethnic cleansing of 100,000 Armenians from the Republic of Artsakh by Azerbaijan after 10 months of siege, blockading the population from food, energy, medical supplies and humanitarian assistance;

(c) calls for the immediate release of 23 Armenian hostages, including leaders of the Republic of Artsakh, currently detained by the Azerbaijani regime, in contradiction to international law;

(d) calls on Azerbaijan to abide by the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures handed down on 17 November 2023 and allow for the right of return for all Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh under enforceable international guarantees of their security and rights.

(e) calls on Azerbaijan to cease the deliberate destruction of the Armenian Christian and cultural heritage of Artsakh and take transparent steps to ensure the protection of all ancient Armenian cultural and historical sites; and

(f) calls on Azerbaijan immediately to withdraw its troops from, and respect, the internationally recognised borders of the Republic of Armenia.

I rise today on the fifth anniversary since Azerbaijan launched its war of aggression against the Republic of Artsakh and the second anniversary since the forced displacement of peace-loving Armenians.

Two years ago, on 19 September, the Republic of Artsakh, a region whose people had maintained their Armenian identity, faith and way of life for centuries, was emptied of its indigenous Armenian population. Over 100,000 Armenians were forced to flee their ancestral homeland in the face of a brutal military operation by the Azerbaijani.

This followed a deliberate, systematic and inhumane 10-month blockade, cutting off access to food, medicine, power, fuel and humanitarian assistance. Let us call this what it was: not a military victory, not a diplomatic resolution, but an act of ethnic cleansing carried out in broad daylight, with the world watching, and with devastating consequences for an entire population.

As an Australian of Greek heritage, I feel this tragedy deeply. Greeks and Armenians have a shared history, not only of cultural richness and civilization but also of suffering, often at the hands of the same empires and the same ideologies of ethnic supremacy, and the same silence from the rest of the world. Our peoples have endured genocide, the Armenians in 1915, the Greeks of Pontus and Asia Minor not long after.

We remember the forced marches, the destroyed and desecrated churches, the cultural erasure and the world's indifference. That short, shared trauma is part of a bond between our communities. We know what it means to be uprooted from lands that are ours by history, by spirit, and by blood. We know the scars that silence can leave, and we know that when these warning signs emerge, when sieges are laid, when churches are desecrated, when history is denied, we cannot look away.

This parliament, proudly, was one of the first in Australia to recognise the Republic of Artsakh and the right of its people to self-determination. We did so because we believe that small nations have the same rights as large ones, that ethnic and religious minorities have the same rights to live in peace, that the Armenian people who survived the genocide in the 20th century should not be subjected and forced and displaced in the 21st. Today I hope this parliament reaffirms that recognition and I hope that every member of this house will stand by that decision, not as a gesture of sentiment but as an expression of moral clarity.

The ethnic cleansing of Artsakh was not an isolated act of violence. It was the result of a sustained calculated campaign: a 10-month siege of the Lachin Corridor; the starvation of civilians; the silencing of journalists and human rights observers; the erasing of homes and churches; and now, the continued imprisonment of political prisoners.

Twenty-three hostages, including political and civil leadership of the republic, remain in Azerbaijani custody today. Their crime? Serving their people and exercising the right of democratic self-governance. Their detention is in clear violation of international law, and I call on Azerbaijan, in the strongest possible terms, to release them immediately. I call on other governments to raise this issue forcefully and persistently on the international stage.

Justice does not end with freedom for the imprisoned. True justice means the right of return. The Armenians of Artsakh must be allowed to return to their homeland, not as refugees, not as guests but as rightful citizens under international protection. The International Court of Justice ruled on 17 November 2023 that Azerbaijan must take all measures to protect the rights of displaced Armenians. These provisional measures must be enforced. We cannot allow international law to become a set of empty words.

Let me speak plainly about Azerbaijan's ongoing destruction of Armenian, Christian and cultural heritage in Artsakh: ancient churches, cemeteries, monasteries and monuments, some older than modern Azerbaijan itself, are being destroyed. This is cultural cleansing, a war not just on people but on memory, faith and identity. I cannot help but recall the desecration of Orthodox sites in Cyprus, in Asia Minor and in northern Syria, where Christian civilisation was wiped away to serve political ends. These acts are not simply crimes against history, they are preludes to crimes against humanity. We cannot allow this to happen again in silence. We cannot allow history to repeat itself.

I call on Azerbaijan to cease all its acts of cultural destruction and to permit unfettered international access to the heritage sites across the region. This parliament must also be clear in its opposition to any further Azerbaijani aggression against the Republic of Armenia itself. Over the past two years, troops have repeatedly violated Armenia's internationally recognised borders, establishing a legal outpost and advancing into sovereign Armenian territory. These provocations are not just regional matters, they are violations of the UN Charter and threats to international peace and security. I call on Azerbaijan to immediately withdraw its troops and to respect the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, and I call on the international community to take meaningful steps to deter further aggression.

We must remember the mothers who carried their children through mountain roads, away from burning villages. We must remember the elderly who died waiting in line for bread that never came. We must remember the people of Artsakh who only wanted to live in peace and whose lives were shattered because of who they were and where they lived. My speech could be substituted for many people, even today. That is why it is important—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: It did cross my mind.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes. That is why it is important that we call out this behaviour, sir. Today, let this parliament be clear and stand with the people of Artsakh. We stand with the Armenian community. We stand with all the people who refuse to let history's darkest chapters repeat themselves. I thank Koryun and Anna for being here today to hear this message, and I thank the Hon. Connie Bonaros MLC for her similar motion in the Legislative Council. I commend the motion to the house.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (16:58): I rise today, as we observe a significant anniversary, to express my support for the motion. September 2025 will mark five years since the onset of the 2020 conflict in Artsakh and the circumstances that led to it. This house has previously affirmed its recognition of the self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh, and it is appropriate that we affirm that position today, in line with our commitment to the principles of self-determination and stability in the region. On 19 September we will also observe the second anniversary of the events that resulted in the displacement of approximately 100,000 Armenians. Following a period of blockade, lasting 10 months, which restricted access to essential supplies, including food, energy, medical aid and humanitarian assistance, this displacement has had profound human consequences.

As we gather in this chamber we stand on the cusp of two significant and sobering anniversaries which this motion seeks to address with clarity and purpose. So I rise to support this motion on behalf of the opposition as it reflects our shared commitment to justice, human rights and the principles that underpin a stable international order.

These events compel us to reflect, to reaffirm our values and to call for meaningful action. The first point of the motion notes that, five years ago, the people of Artsakh faced a devastating conflict that disrupted lives and challenged the region's stability. The house in its wisdom recognised the right to self-determination, a decision grounded in the principle that communities should have a say in their governance and future.

Reaffirming this recognition today is not merely symbolic: it is a reminder that South Australia stands for the dignity of all peoples, including those who continue to seek peace and security, and our state has a proud history of embracing diversity, and our Armenian community, with its rich contributions to our culture, economy and civic life, embodies that legacy. By standing firm on this principle, we honour their presence and we honour their aspirations. This motion acknowledges the experiences of those who have suffered and underscores our responsibility to speak out when such events occur, wherever they may be.

The minister also mentioned detentions. These detentions also raise questions about compliance with global norms and standards. The release of these individuals will be a constructive step toward de-escalation and dialogue. It is not enough to simply note their plight: we must call for their immediate release, as this motion rightly does, to demonstrate that arbitrary detention has no place in a rule-based world. South Australia can lend its voice to this cause, urging accountability and fairness.

Furthermore, the motion also draws attention to the International Court of Justice's provisional measures, issued on 17 of November 2023, which address the right of return for those displaced from Artsakh. These measures call for enforceable international guarantees to ensure the safety and the rights of returning Armenians. Compliance with such rulings is fundamental to maintaining trust in global institutions. We must encourage all parties to respect these obligations as they form the foundation of any meaningful resolution.

Another critical aspect of the motion concerns the preservation of Armenian cultural and historical heritage in Artsakh. Reports of damage to ancient monasteries, churches and other cultural sites is appalling and deeply concerning. These sites are testaments to a person's faith, identity and history, and the deliberate destruction of such heritage must be called out as a loss not only for Armenians but for humanity as a whole.

Finally, the motion addresses the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, urging Azerbaijan to withdraw any forces from its internationally recognised borders. Respect for territorial integrity is a cornerstone of international law, and violations undermine the prospects for lasting peace. By calling for this withdrawal, we advocate for stability and mutual respect between the nations. South Australia may be a small player on a global stage, but our voice carries weight when we speak with principle. Our state has long been a place of refuge and opportunity for those fleeing conflict or hardship. The families of many members in this house have migrant stories that took shape in the shadow of the Second World War, for example.

The Armenian community, like many others, has woven itself into our social fabric, contributing to our schools, businesses and cultural life. I think of the Armenian Cultural Centre in Adelaide, where families gather to celebrate their heritage. There are small businesses run by Armenian South Australians who embody the spirit of hard work, aspiration and resilience. When we speak to this motion we speak for them, for their history, for their hope for a just future. As we consider the motion, we must also recognise the broader context.

This place has a tradition of engaging with global issues, from human rights to peacebuilding. By supporting the motion, we align ourselves with values of fairness, accountability and respect for international norms. We send a message that South Australia is not silent when confronted with injustice, whether it occurs in our backyard or halfway across the world. So I reaffirm my support for this motion to affirm South Australia's commitment to justice, peace and the dignity of all people.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (17:03): I want to thank the opposition, and the leader in particular for his bipartisan support for this important motion. It is difficult for us in state parliaments to move motions like this, although we have done it quite well. In fact, what we really are are witnesses, and we put on the public record our civilised outrage at what occurs. Whether it is about hostages in Palestine and Israel, whether it is about families being forced to leave their homes, whether it is in Asia Minor a century ago, whether it is in Armenia, whether it is Assyrians—whichever race—ethnic cleansing and genocide should be condemned wherever it occurs. As witnesses, this parliament has done its job, and today I suspect we will do it again. To be a witness for the international community does carry weight. This will not please the Azerbaijani government. They will not like this level of scrutiny.

I thank members for their tolerance and for their time. I especially thank the opposition for their support and I thank my colleagues in the Australian Labor Party for allowing me to do this today during government time. It is an honour and I appreciate their solidarity in standing with the people of Armenia and the Christian minorities that are being treated so appallingly. I want to finish by thanking our Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Zoe Bettison, who does an exceptional job with ethnic minorities in this state not only as a witness but as a supporter. I think we do our very best to do all we can for ethnic minorities—me being one of them. I commend the motion to the house.

Motion carried.

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