Current Crisis - Armenian Genocide 2023  

Armenians have been living in the area of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) for thousands of years. Joseph Stalin included Artsakh in the territory of Azerbaijan during the Soviet period. Artsakh declared independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union and defeated Azerbaijan in several wars for independence. For 30 years Artsakh has had a democratically elected government, meeting all the requirements for statehood. In 2020, Azerbaijan won a 44 day war against Artsakh, forcing Artsakh to concede over half of its land. In December of 2022, breaking the peace agreement, Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. For over 9 months, very little food, medicine, supplies, gas, electricity were able to get to the 120,000 people of Artsakh. For over 2 months, a complete blockade was enforced, not even allowing the International Red Cross to deliver aid or transport the sick. On September 19, 2023 Azerbaijan's dictator Ilham Aliyev ordered missile attacks on Artsakh, bombing civilian areas, massacring villages, raping and torturing men, women and children - committing the Armenian Genocide of 2023. Artsakh had no choice but to surrender its government, defense army and land. Today, thousands of refugees are leaving everything they own, their houses, businesses, graves of loved ones, centuries of culture and heritage to escape genocide and oppression by Azerbaijan.


What can you do to help?
1. Please consider donating to help the genocide refugees - link to donation sites - far's ayo, etc.
2. Please contact your US Senators and Representatives to send aid and sanction Azerbaijan.
3. Learn about the Armenian Genocide and educate others. 
4. Stand up for human rights - be an Upstander, not a Bystander.
5. Be informed and care about human rights. Read world news reports, follow human rights organizations.


Helpful Links:
Gen Ed – www.genocideeducation.org
Lemkin institute - www.lemkininstitute.com
Armenian National Committee of America -  www.anca.org  & www.marchtojustice.org
Armenian Assembly - www.armenian-assembly.org
DHHRM – www.dhhrm.org
THGAAC – www.thgaac.texas.org
Human Rights Watch - www.hrw.org

OUr sponsors

All educational programs brought to you and are generously sponsored by St. Sarkis Armenian Church of DFW, and the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC).

Armeniafest
​Oct. 20, 21, 22, 2023

Learn about the Armenian Genocide and it's impact today during the presentation of "Remarkable Armenians." Enjoy our cultural presentation of dances, preserving our heritage and honoring the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. 

Teacher Workshop
Feb 2, 2024 - 8-4 pm

A comprehensive workshop for Texas teachers, equiping them with tools to teach the TEKS requirement for Armenian Genocide Education. The workshop will include sessions by the Genocide Education Project (Gen Ed), descendents of survivor's testimonies, history of the Armenians in Texas, SMU Human Rights program, a tour of St. Sarkis church, a traditional Armenian lunch and a copy of The Sandcastle Girls novel by Chris Bohjalian. Live Stream will be available for those unable to attend in person.

Chris Bohjalian lecture
​April 7, 2024 - 6:30pm

Chris Bohjalian is the New York Times bestselling author of 24 books. His work has been translated into 35 languages and become three movies and an Emmy-nominated TV series. On Sunday April 7, 2024, Mr. Bohjalian will be discussing his family's Armenian Genocide history, the inspiration for his novel The Sandcastle Girls.

Middle School
​Art Expo
April 21 - 24, 2024

Middle School students will showcase their original artwork "Seeing the Humanity in Each of Us" at the beautiful Hall of Lights. The Art Expo will allow students to express their desire to combat hatred and prejudice to prevent future genocide through their art.

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