Commentators debated the right of Karabakh refugees to return.

The Azerbaijani military operation in 2023 forced residents to leave Karabakh, so they have the right to return, stated some social media users. Other commentators argued that the residents left voluntarily, and their return is only possible if they accept Azerbaijani citizenship.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 19, participants of the "March of Memory" in Yerevan demanded that the UN and authorities take measures for the safe return of residents who left Nagorno-Karabakh after the hostilities in September 2023. They also called for the implementation of the UN International Court's ruling from November 17, 2023, which stated that Azerbaijan must ensure the safe and unhindered return of those wishing to return.

Social media users expressed polar views on the exodus of residents from Karabakh

On the "Caucasian Knot" Facebook page*, which has about 164,000 users, a post about the activists' demand to the UN and authorities to ensure the safe return of residents who left Nagorno-Karabakh after the hostilities in September 2023 had received 963 reactions and 873 comments by 15:30 MSK on September 21.

In the comments, a debate unfolded about the reasons for the mass departure of residents and the conditions for possible return. Some commentators supported the refugees' right to return to Karabakh.

"People have the right to return home. They have the right to live freely at home, to study, to work. They have the right to compensation <…> for the loss of property, income, businesses, health. If [actions] of Azerbaijan were a restoration of justice, then the persecution and infringement of the rights of the residents of Karabakh should also be a continuation of the restoration of justice in Karabakh," emphasized Luba Ovsepian.

"Return, who is stopping you?" asked Fuad Dostulu.

"Let them go," wrote Galina Mavrina.

Another part of the commentators disputed the claim of forced exodus of residents and pointed out that they were offered to stay. "Yes, but why did they leave Karabakh? As far as I remember, Aliyev called on everyone who wanted to stay," noted Eduard Elizbarashvili.

"Who expelled them from there? They left themselves, were offended themselves, and are protesting themselves," stated Irina Khalilova.

"Why leave to demand today? Strange people," believes Sevil Ismayilova.

Other commentators linked the possibility of return with accepting Azerbaijani citizenship and complying with the country's laws. "Why the UN? Just accept Azerbaijani citizenship and that's it. It will never work any other way," pointed out Cavanshir Hatamov.

"Of course, all Karabakhis – citizens of Azerbaijan can return to Karabakh. And of course, they can live in Karabakh, but only with Azerbaijani passports!" wrote Samir Khalilov.

The Armenian authorities have not been able to solve the housing problem for refugees in three years

The exodus of residents from Karabakh was preceded by a blockade of the Lachin corridor, which Azerbaijani activists began on December 12, 2022. This corridor connected Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. The activists justified the road closure by demanding monitoring of the mineral deposits. In April 2023, Azerbaijan established a border checkpoint there. By summer, the situation in Karabakh sharply deteriorated: residents of Stepanakert reported shortages of food, medicines, and fuel, long queues for bread, and the cessation of public transport. Due to the lack of medicines, food shortages, and stress, the Ministry of Health of Nagorno-Karabakh reported an increase in morbidity and mortality, as well as the number of anemia cases among pregnant women.

On February 22, 2023, the International Court of the UN obliged Azerbaijan to take all necessary measures to ensure the unhindered movement of people, transport, and goods through the Lachin corridor in both directions. Meanwhile, Baku insisted on the possibility of delivering humanitarian cargo via the road through Agdam and accused the other side of disrupting agreements on such a route.

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan began a military operation. The country's Ministry of Defense stated that its goals were to fulfill the provisions of the trilateral statement from 2020, disarm the armed formations in the region, ensure security, and restore constitutional order. The next day, an agreement was reached to cease hostilities and disarm the Defense Army of Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ilham Aliyev stated that all objectives of the operation had been achieved.

Baku presented the use of force as a necessary measure. Azerbaijani authorities stated that the reason was the deaths of citizens from mine explosions and military shelling, and that the armed formations in the region had not been disarmed according to previous agreements. Baku also repeatedly referred to four UN Security Council resolutions No. 822, 853, 874, and 884, adopted in 1993, claiming that their requirements remained unfulfilled. The resolutions confirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and contained demands for a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces from occupied territories.

Hostilities led to a mass exodus of residents from Karabakh to Armenia. Thousands of people from villages walked with children to Stepanakert, and then, hoping to evacuate, also walked to the airport where Russian peacekeepers were located. By October 7, 2023, 100,632 displaced persons arrived in Armenia.

On November 17, 2023, the International Court of the UN obliged Azerbaijan to ensure that residents who left Karabakh after September 19 and wish to return could do so safely, unhindered, and as soon as possible, and also to preserve documents related to their registration and property. Official Baku welcomed the decision and stated that the measures provided by the court correspond to the declared policy of the authorities regarding the residents of the region.

The Armenian authorities provided temporary protection and financial support programs for Karabakh refugees, but problems with housing and employment persisted. Displaced persons previously reported that it was difficult to find a job with a sufficient salary, and a significant part of their income went to rent. From April 2025, the "40+10" assistance program, which provided payments for rent and utility expenses, was limited to vulnerable groups. Activists later stated that the authorities accepted some of their proposals for housing provision, but rejected the most important ones. By January 2026, housing certificates were received by more than four thousand families, of which 1,755 families had already received housing.

At the same time, Azerbaijan continued the resettlement of residents to the territories that came under Baku's control. The authorities planned to return up to 34,500 families, or 140,000 people, there by the end of 2026 as part of the first phase of the "Great Return" program. Analysts pointed out that the pace of resettlement is hindered by the mine danger, lack of jobs, and unresolved land use issues. Returning residents noted improvements in living conditions and infrastructure, but employment issues remained.

The issue of refugees' return and guarantees of their safety has repeatedly become a subject of discussion. In November 2025, participants in a discussion in Yerevan called on refugees to seek the right to return through international courts, and the subsequent discussion among users revealed opposing assessments of the reasons for the exodus and the possibilities of return.