Genocide memorial bell tower demolished in Stepanakert

PanARMENIAN.Net - A bell tower in Stepanakert dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide has been destroyed, according to Hovik Avanesov, deputy head of the National historical-cultural NGO and cultural heritage ombudsman of Artsakh.

The structure had been built to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1915 genocide.

Avanesov said documentation by Caucasus Heritage Watch (CHW) provides further evidence of what he described as a policy aimed at the systematic destruction of Armenian cultural heritage.

“The complete removal of the monument in the Stepanakert memorial complex dedicated to the genocide centenary cannot be seen as an isolated case. It clearly fits into a broader process of eliminating cultural heritage and erasing historical memory.

The white marble bell tower, which included a reliquary containing human remains brought from Deir ez-Zor, held deep symbolic meaning. Deir ez-Zor is not only a geographic location in Armenian collective memory but also a symbol of the genocide’s tragic climax—a place where hundreds of thousands of Armenians were subjected to massacres, forced displacement, and death marches.

The destruction of such a monument represents not only the loss of material heritage but also a direct blow to historical memory, the remembrance of victims, and the identity of their descendants.

Satellite data from Airbus and Planet Labs clearly indicate that the monument and the entire memorial complex were destroyed between July 14, 2025, and April 25, 2026. This timeline suggests a deliberate, phased operation rather than accidental damage, aimed at completely clearing the area of any trace of Armenian presence,” the statement reads.

He added that the incident should be assessed within the framework of international law and cultural heritage protection.

According to him, the intentional destruction of cultural assets contradicts several international conventions, including those adopted under UNESCO.

“However, this case shows that such actions continue, often under conditions of impunity, which encourages their repetition.

Moreover, the destruction carries not only cultural but also clear political and ideological motives. It seeks to reshape the historical narrative of the area by erasing evidence of Armenian presence and creating a ‘blank’ historical space. This is a classic manifestation of cultural genocide, where not only people but also their memory, culture, and material traces are destroyed.

Thus, the destruction of the bell tower dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Stepanakert should be viewed not as an isolated act, but as part of an ongoing and systematic policy aimed at eliminating Armenian cultural heritage and distorting historical memory. This reality requires not only scholarly documentation but also a clear and practical response from the international community,” the statement says.

Recently, two churches in Stepanakert—the Church of St. Hakob and the city’s main cathedral, Holy Mother of God—have also reportedly been demolished.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously stated that, taking into account previous experience, he does not consider it appropriate to bring this issue to the level of international discussions.

Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan has sent official appeals to the U.S. president, members of the Senate and Congress, the Pope, and international and church organizations, raising concerns over the destruction of Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in Artsakh.