In Artsakh, December 10 is celebrated as the day of the state independence referendum and the Constitution of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).
On this day in 1991, the Armenian population of Artsakh expressed its will, saying “Yes” to the independence referendum of the NKR. On the same day in 2006, again as a result of a nationwide referendum, the Constitution of the NKR was adopted.
On November 26, 1991, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan, grossly violating the existing legislation, adopted a law on the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, abolishing the existence of the national-territorial entity. The Armenian population of Artsakh decided to hold a nationwide referendum.
The referendum of December 10, 1991, in which 82.2% of registered voters participated, took place under the continuous bombardment of Armenian-populated settlements. The ballot paper, printed in three languages — Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani — contained the following question: “Do you agree that the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh be declared an independent state and independently determine the formats of cooperation with other states and organizations?” 99.89% voted “in favor” of gaining independence from Azerbaijan.
The results of the referendum and its democratic nature and transparency were confirmed by independent international observers.
In their final assessment, the international observers noted that “the referendum was carried out under conditions of armed attack, expressed in the artillery bombardment of Stepanakert and other settlements. On the day of the vote, 10 Armenians were killed and 11 wounded by artillery bombardment. Women and children spend the nights in basements; kindergartens and schools are closed. On the night of December 11-12, an artillery shell was thrown at one of the schools in Stepanakert. There is no drinking water, bread, or medicine.”
Fifteen years after the December referendum, on December 10, 2006, as a result of a nationwide referendum, the Constitution of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh was adopted. 77,279 citizens, or 98.58% of those who participated in the vote, voted in favor of the adoption of the NKR Constitution.
Constitution Day is a festive and non-working day.
Happy holiday, Artsakh.
