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39°38′27″N 46°32′49″E / 39.64083°N 46.54694°E / 39.64083; 46.54694

Lachin LaçınԲերձոր • Berdzor
Coat of arms of LachinCoat of arms
Lachin
Coordinates: Template:Xb_type:city 39°38′27″N 46°32′49″E / 39.64083°N 46.54694°E / 39.64083; 46.54694
Country	Azerbaijan (de jure)  Artsakh (de facto)
District	Lachin (de jure)
Province	Kashatagh (de facto)
Government
• Mayor	Arthur Sahakyan
Population
• Total	1,900
Time zone	UTC+4 (UTC)

Lachin (Template:Lang-az (listen), literally "hawk", Template:Lang-hy) is a town which is the de jure centre of the Lachin District of Azerbaijan, de facto under the occupation of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh since 1992 as part of its Kashatagh Province. The town and the surrounding region serve as the strategic Lachin corridor, which connects Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, and is under the supervision of the Russian peacekeeping force following the ceasefire agreement, ending the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war.

History

The town was formerly known as Abdallar, named after the turkic Abdal tribe, until it was granted town status in 1923 and then renamed Lachin (a Turkic first name meaning hawk) in 1926.

In the early 1920s, Vladimir Lenin's letter to Narimanov "had implied that Lachin was to be included in Azerbaijan, but the authorities in Baku and Yerevan were given promises that were inevitably contradictory." The town of Lachin on 7 July 1923 became the administrative centre of Kurdistansky Uyezd, often known as Red Kurdistan before it was moved to Shusha. It was dissolved on 8 April 1929: Kurdish schools and newspapers were closed.

On 30 May 1930, the Kurdistan Okrug replaced the uyezd. It included the territory of the former Kurdistansky uyezd, as well as Zangilansky District and a part of Dzhebrailsky District. The okrug, like the uyezd before it, was founded to appeal to Kurds beyond Soviet borders in Iran and Turkey, but the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs would ultimately protest this policy due its negative effect on relations with Turkey and Iran. Due to these concerns, the okrug was abolished less than a month after its foundation, on 23 July 1930.

In the late 1930s, Soviet authorities deported most of the local Kurdish population as well as much of the Kurds elsewhere Azerbaijan and Armenia to Kazakhstan.

First Nagorno-Karabakh war

Lachin town and the surrounding rayon were the locations of severe fighting during the First Nagorno-Karabakh war in 1990–1994, and the town has not wholly recovered from the destruction of that war. Lachin has significant importance because of the Lachin corridor, which links Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. Around 7,800 Azerbaijanis and Kurds became IDPs as a result of forceful deportations during the occupation. The Armenian forces had also burned down the city.

Armenian occupation

From 1992, Lachin was administrated by the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh as its Kashatagh Province. Since then, Artsakh and Armenia tried to rebuild the city, attracting settlers from Armenia and Lebanon.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs noted that "Lachin has been treated as a separate case in previous negotiations." The Lachin corridor and the Kelbajar district have been at the centre of Armenian demands during the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks with Azerbaijan.

On 16 June 2015 European Court of Human Rights passed a judgement in the case of "Chiragov and Others v. Armenia", which concerned the complaints by six Azerbaijani ethnically-Kurdish refugees that they were unable to return to their homes and property in the district of Lachin, in Azerbaijan, from where they had been forced to flee in 1992 during the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Court confirmed that Armenia exercised effective control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories and thus had jurisdiction over the district of Lachin. The Court found that the denial by the Armenian Government of access to the applicants’ homes constituted an unjustified interference with their right to respect for their private and family lives as well as their homes.

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war

Ahead of the transfer of Lachin District to Azerbaijan, following the ceasefire agreement ending the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, some ethnic Armenians fled from the city, despite the Russian supervision over the land corridor passing thorough it. From 27 November, citing the city's self-proclaimed mayor, Narek Aleksanyan, who called on the ethnic Armenian population to flee the region, the Armenian media alleged that "the agreement has been amended," adding that Lachin, Sus, and Zabukh would not be handed over to Azerbaijan. These claims were refuted by the chairman of the Azerbaijan-based Center for Social Research, MP Zahid Oruj. According to BBC Russian Service correspondent, Yuri Vekdik, despite Aleksanyan's calls, the vast majority of Armenian settlers in Lachin, as well as the Lebanese-Armenians in Zabux, had fled the region. On 1 December, the Azerbaijani forces, with tanks and a column of trucks, entered the district, and the Azerbaijani MoD released a footage from the city of Lachin.

Demographics

Terrain

The town is scenically built on the side of a mountain on the left bank of Hakari River.

Twin cities

Lachin is twinned with:

• Highland, California

Gallery

• View of the town
• Former WW2 memorial turned into Nagorno-Karabakh conflict memorial
• Playground in the town
• View of part of Lachin
• Road in Lachin
• Building of Armenian mobile operator company
• Holy Ascension Church in Berdzor opened in 1998.

References

Notes

1. ^ "Urban communities of the NKR" (PDF). stat-nkr.am. National Statistical Service of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. January 1, 2015. p. 13.
2. "ԼՂՀ աշխատանքի և սոցիալական հարցերի նախարարություն". mss.nkr.am. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
3. Holding, Nicholas (2006). Armenia with Nagorno Karabagh, 2nd: The Bradt Travel Guide. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press, p. 208. ISBN 1-84162-163-3.
4. "Rusiya Müdafiə Nazirliyi: Laçın dəhlizində hərəkətə sülhməramlılar nəzarət edir". BBC Azerbaijani Service (in Azerbaijani). December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
5. "ЛАЧИН". dic.academic.ru.
6. Pospelov, p. 23
7. Alexandre Bennigsen and S. Enders Wimbush. Muslims of the Soviet Empire. C. Hurst & Co Publishers, 1986, pp. 202, 286. ISBN 1-85065-009-8.
8. McDowall, David. A Modern History of the Kurds, 3rd. ed. London: I.B. Tauris, 2004, p. 492.
9. Catherine Cosman, "Soviet Kurds Face Loss of Their Identity," New York Times, May 13, 1991/June 2, 1991.
10. (in Russian) Партизаны на поводке.
11. (in Russian) Russia and the problem of Kurds Archived February 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
12. "Азербайджан взял под контроль Лачин спустя 28 лет". Caucasian Knot (in Russian). December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
13. "Azerbaijani troops enter Lachin district in Nagorno-Karabakh". TASS. November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
14. ^ "Laçın – məğrur rayonun hekayəsi". BBC Azerbaijani Service (in Azerbaijani). December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
15. ^ Vendik, Yuri (November 17, 2020). "Армяне оставляют Лачин, несмотря на конец войны в Карабахе и прибытие российских миротворцев". BBC Russian Service (in Russian). Retrieved December 1, 2020.
16. CountryWatch - Interesting Facts Of The World Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
17. Press release issued by the Registrar of the Court. "Azerbaijani refugees' rights violated by lack of access to their property located in district controlled by Armenia". European Court of Human Rights. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
18. "Rusiya Müdafiə Nazirliyi: Laçın dəhlizində hərəkətə sülhməramlılar nəzarət edir". BBC Azerbaijani Service (in Azerbaijani). December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
19. "Laçın şəhəri ermənilərdəmi qalır? Ermənilərə belə deyilib, amma onlar şəhəri tərk edir". BBC Azerbaijani Service (in Azerbaijani). November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
20. "Azerbaijani Forces Enter Third District Under Nagorno-Karabakh Truce". RFERL.org. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. December 1, 2020.
21. "Azərbaycan Müdafiə Nazirliyi Laçında dövlət bayrağının asılması barədə video yayıb". BBC Azerbaijani Service (in Azerbaijani). December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
22. "Курдистанский уезд 1926". www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru.
23. "Лачинский район 1939". www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru.
24. "Лачинский район 1959". www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru.
25. "Лачинский район 1970". www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru.
26. "Лачинский район 1979". www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru.
27. "Демоскоп Weekly - Приложение. Справочник статистических показателей". demoscope.ru.
28. http://census.stat-nkr.am/nkr/1-1.pdf
29. "Great Soviet Encyclopedia". yandex.ru.
30. "Azerbaijan Protests California Town’s Recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh." RIA Novosti. December 6, 2013.

Sources

• Е. М. Поспелов (Ye. M. Pospelov). "Имена городов: вчера и сегодня (1917–1992). Топонимический словарь." (City Names: Yesterday and Today (1917–1992). Toponymic Dictionary." Москва, "Русские словари", 1993.

External links

• Pictures of Lachin
• Onnik Krikorian, Armenia’s Strategic Lachin Corridor Confronts a Demographic Crisis, eurasianet.org, Sep 15, 2006.
• More information about Lachin from Armeniapedia.com
• "Lachin". Azerb.com. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
• "History of Artsakh (Part 3)". Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
• Lachin (as Laçın) at GEOnet Names Server

v t e Kashatagh Province
Rural communities	Aghanus Maratuk Meghvadzor Melikahogh
Not under Artsakh control	Berdzor Kashunik Kovsakan Mijnavan Aghadzor Aghavnatun Aghavno Aghbradzor Alashkert Amiryan Amutegh Ani Antaramej Aparan Arakhish Artashavi Arjadzor Artsakhamayr Artsvashen Arvakan Aygehovit Aygek Bazmatus Berdik Chormank Ditsmayri Drakhtadzor Dzorap Gahanist Gandza Getamej Getap Ghazarapat Gihut Goghtanik Hak Hakari Hale Harar Haykazyan Haytagh Herik Himnashen Hochants Ishkhanadzor Janfida Karabak Karegah Karotan Karut Keren Khachgetik Khachintap Krmen Kumayri Leharnovit Lchashen Mamark Margis Martiros Martunashen Melikashen Mirik Mkhants Moshatagh Mush Movsesashen Msheni Norashenik Pakahan Saratak Shalua Shirak Shrvakan Sonasar Spitakajur Suaras Sus Tandzut Tigranavan Tovmasar Tsaghkaberd Tsitsernavank Tsobadzor Urekan Urmia Vaghazin Vakunis Van Vardabats Vardanants Vazgenashen Verin Kashunik Vordnav Vurgavan Yeritsvank Zoratsik

v t e Lachin District
Capital: Lachin
Ağalaruşağı Ağanus Ağbulaq Ağcakənd Ağcayazı Ağoğlan Alıcan Alıqulu Alpout Alxaslı Arduşlu Aşağı Cicimli Aşağı Fərəcan Avazlar Ayıbasar Babadin Baldırğanlı Birinci İpək Birinci Tığik Bozdağan Bozgüney Bozlu Budaqdərə Bülövlük Bülüldüz Cağazur Cicimli Çəmbərəkənd Çıraqlı Çorman Dambulaq Daşlı Dəyhan Dəyirmanyanı Əhmədli Ələkçi Ərdəşəvi Ərəb Ərikli Əyrik Fərraş Fətəlipəyə Fingə Güləbird Hacılar Hacısamlı Hacıxanlı Haqnəzər Hətəmlər Hoçaz Hüsülü İkinci Tığik İmanlar İrçan Kaha Kalafalıq Kamallı Katos Kəravuz Korcabulaq Köhnə Çorman Köhnəkənd Kushchular Kürdhacı Lolabağırlı Malıbəy Malxələf Mayis Mazutlu Məlikpəyə Minkend Mirik Mişni Mığıdərə Mollalar Nağdalı Narışlar Nürəddin Oğuldərə Piçənis Pircahan Qalaça Qarabəyli Qaraçanlı Qarakeçdi Qarasaqqal Qarıkaha Qarıqışlaq Qayğı Qazıdərə Qılınclı Qışlaq Qızılca Qorçu Qoşasu Qovuşuq Qozlu Quşçu Sadınlar Sarıbaba Səfiyan Seyidlər Sonasar Soyuqbulaq Suarası Sus Şamkənd Şəlvə Şeylanlı Tərxanlı Təzəkənd Turşsu Türklər Uludüz Unannovu Vağazin Vəlibəyli Xaçınyalı Xanalılar Xırmanlar Xumarta Yuxarı Fərəcan Zabux Zağaltı Zerti Zeyvə Ziyrik

v t e Administrative divisions of Artsakh
Capital city	Stepanakert
Provinces	Askeran Hadrut (nominal) Kashatagh (nominal) Martakert Martuni Shahumyan (nominal) Shushi
Provincial capitals	Askeran Hadrut (nominal) Berdzor (nominal) Martakert Martuni Karvachar (former) Shushi (nominal)
Other urban communities	Chartar Zoravan/Nerkin Chartar

v t e Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan
Districts	Absheron Agdam Aghdara Agdash Aghjabadi Agstafa Agsu Astara Babek Balakan Barda Beylagan Bilasuvar Dashkasan Fuzuli Gadabay Goranboy Goychay Goygol Hajigabul Imishli Ismayilli Jabrayil Jalilabad Julfa Kalbajar Kangarli Khachmaz Khizi Khojaly Khojavend Kurdamir Lachin Lankaran Lerik Masally Neftchala Oghuz Ordubad Qabala Qakh Qazakh Gobustan Quba Qubadli Qusar Saatly Sabirabad Sadarak Salyan Samukh Shabran Shahbuz Shaki Shamakhi Shamkir Sharur Shusha Siyazan Tartar Tovuz Ujar Yardimli Yevlakh Zangilan Zagatala Zardab
Cities	Baku Ganja Khankendi Lankaran Mingachevir Naftalan Nakhchivan Shaki Shirvan Sumgait Yevlakh
Towns	Aghdam Aghdara Agdash Aghjabadi Agstafa Agsu Astara Babek Balakən Barda Beylagan Bilasuvar Dashkasan Fuzuli Gadabay Goranboy Goychay Goygol Hajiqabul Imishli Ismayilli Jabrayil Jalilabad Julfa Kalbajar Khachmaz Khizi Khojavend Khojaly Khirdalan Kurdamir Lachin Lerik Masally Neftchala Oğuz Ordubad Gabala Qakh Gazakh Gobustan Quba Qubadli Qusar Saatly Sabirabad Salyan Shabran Shahbuz Shamakhi Shamkir Sharur Shusha Siyazan Tartar Tovuz Ujar Yardimli Zangilan Zagatala Zardab
Names in italics indicate parts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

• Villages in Azerbaijan
• Populated places in Lachin District
• Populated places in Qashatagh Province
• Nagorno-Karabakh War
• Armenia–Azerbaijan border
• Cities and towns in the Republic of Artsakh