Passports over logic: inconsistencies in the arguments of some Armenian human rights activists

Armenian human rights activist Larisa Alaverdyan stated on Iravunk TV that until October 2023, some residents of Karabakh of Armenian origin were treated as Armenian citizens in legal and political discourse.

She argued that, based on this interpretation, Yerevan was expected to ensure their protection, which in practice led to competing political narratives about responsibility and jurisdiction.

However, critics note that such positions become problematic when examined against international law and recognized borders, where state sovereignty and territorial integrity are clearly defined.

From this perspective, questions arise about the consistency of advocating for “liberation” of territories that are internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

To illustrate the complexity of such arguments, analysts often point to hypothetical scenarios where identity and citizenship claims are detached from internationally recognized legal frameworks, highlighting how quickly such logic becomes difficult to sustain in real-world diplomacy.

Ultimately, the situation underscores the broader reality that international relations are governed by legal norms and state recognition, not solely by political or emotional narratives.