00:05,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. France has called on Azerbaijan to comply with its international commitments and to implement the provisional measures that have been indicated by the International Court of Justice in its February 22nd order. 

“France is deeply concerned by the very serious humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor,” Nathalie Broadhurst, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations said in her statement at the UNSC meeting. 

“The situation on the ground is dire, it continues to deteriorate day after day.

“That’s why it is crucial that the Council meets today to assess the situation. We look forward to the briefing on the humanitarian situation by OCHA.

“As indicated by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs yesterday, the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor contravenes the commitments undertook by Azerbaijan in the ceasefire agreement and jeopardizes the negotiating process.

“France calls on Azerbaijan to comply with its international commitments and to implement the provisional measures that have been indicated by the International Court of Justice in its February 22nd order. They are binding.

“We demand the restoration of free movement for people, for goods, for cargo throughout the Lachin corridor, in both directions. We request the continuous supply of gas and electricity to the population. It is also vital to ensure a continuous access to essential services for all the populations.

“France will intensify its humanitarian support to the affected population.
We have decided to make an additional contribution of 3 million euros to the humanitarian action of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

“France will continue to discuss the issue and to make sure that the Security council remains seized of the matter,” she added.

 00:17,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. Humanitarian access must be unimpeded for international organizations, Japan said at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“We took note of the letters by Armenia and Azerbaijan distributed to the Security Council. The arguments of both sides offer different explanations,” Kimihiro Ishikane, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN said in his statement. “However, safeguarding local livelihoods must be the utmost priority. The lives of the most vulnerable, including the sick and chronically ill, elderly, women, infirm and children, must not be threatened. We recall the Secretary-General’s concern over reports of continued challenges to the freedom of movement along the Lachin Corridor and the deteriorating humanitarian situation on the ground. The ICRC is currently facing difficulties to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population through the Lachin Corridor or any other routes. It is calling on the relevant decision makers to let it resume its essential humanitarian operations in the area. Humanitarian access by international organizations must be unimpeded. We urge all parties to grant access as soon as possible.
 In addition, the ICJ indicated provisional measures on 22 February 2023 related to ensuring unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. We reiterate our consistent position that the rule of law must be upheld and that any nation must abide by international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. The final settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is crucial for peace and stability in the Caucasus region. The Security Council, which is tasked with maintaining international peace and security, should be committed to this issue. Dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan is important. We hope that it will allow issues related to their dispute to be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law,” he added.

Brazil also called for dialogue.

The Brazilian envoy to the UN said in his speech that an urgent solution must be found to the current situation because it could further deteriorate in the next months.

Brazil is concerned with reports on deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Brazilian envoy said.

“Brazil reiterates its commitment to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of their internationally recognized borders, but fundamental principles of human rights must be taken into account during tightening of border control, in order to prevent the suffering of innocent civilians,” he said.

Brazil also called for maintaining channels of dialogue between the parties, as well as adhering to the terms of the ceasefire agreement. He said that the UNSC must closely follow the developments in Nagorno-Karabakh and express maximal support.

 00:29,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. Switzerland has called for an urgent solution to prevent the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Switzerland supports a peaceful settlement of the differences between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and commends the efforts made by the parties and several diplomatic players in this respect,” Switzerland’s representative to the UN said at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the Azeri blockade of Lachin Corridor.

“We regret the renewed tension over the last few months. In this context, we are deeply concerned by the increasing deterioration of the humanitarian situation following the restrictions on access through the Lachin corridor. Women, men and children are finding themselves in an increasingly difficult position, faced with a shortage of medicines and products essential to their survival. Restrictions on access have a profound impact on the most vulnerable, especially children, the sick, the elderly, people with disabilities and pregnant women. This situation is untenable and must be resolved without delay. It is vital to restore the free passage of civilians and essential goods. We call on the parties to respect the commitments they have taken, notably in the trilateral declaration of November 2020. The International Court of Justice has requested that Azerbaijan take all measures at its disposal to ensure the unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin corridor, in both directions. We call for compliance with the Court’s decisions. In addition, the parties must take urgent steps to facilitate safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to civilians in need, as required by international humanitarian law. We join the ICRC in calling on the parties to find a “humanitarian consensus” to ensure that impartial humanitarian aid reaches those who depend on it. The ICRC must be able to resume its humanitarian operations in the region without hindrance. Madam President, We recognize the diplomatic efforts undertaken to achieve a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The pursuit of constructive dialogue and the implementation of agreements on the ground, based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as on the protection of minority rights, remain fundamental to building confidence for a long-term solution. We call on the parties to take de-escalation measures and intensify their efforts to normalize relations and reach a peace treaty. Switzerland remains ready to promote these efforts through its good offices, if both parties so wish. As a Council, we must do everything in our power to support efforts,” he added.

 00:53,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. Russia is concerned over the continuing blockade of Lachin corridor and considers that Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation is unthinkable unless there are clear and reliable security guarantees and observance of the rights of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian representative to the UN said during the UN Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the Azeri blockade of Lachin Corridor.

“We are concerned over the continuing blockade of the Lachin corridor. Now as never before we need actual steps to be made on the ground in order to ensure prompt de-escalation of the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, including the unblocking of the Lachin corridor and use of other humanitarian routes,” Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Federation Dmitry Polyanskiy said.

“With support from the both sides, Russia is taking maximum efforts to ensure the soonest possible resolution of the crisis and promote overall normalization of relations of our two friendly nations, Armenia and Azerbaijan. We do our best to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the region. For this purpose, we engage at all levels of political and diplomatic channels, and also take action on the ground via the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

“We maintain energetic contacts with all stakeholders with an aim of immediate recovery of sustained deliveries to Nagorno-Karabakh of food, medications, and other basic necessity items, as well as resumption of electricity and gas supply.  

“The series of statements by President of Russia, President of Azerbaijan, and Prime Minister of Armenia of 2020-2022 remains a mandatory roadmap for reconciliation of Baku and Yerevan. The potential of trilateral agreements has not been exhausted. Their key aspects are delimitation and subsequent demarcation of Armenian-Azerbaijani border with expert support from Russia, unblocking of transportation links under the auspices of the Trilateral Working Group co-chaired by Deputy Prime Ministers of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, assistance with elaboration of an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty, facilitation of parliamentary and public activists’ dialogue. There is some progress on each of these tracks. Russia intends to proceed with meaningful efforts.

“ Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation is unthinkable unless there are clear and reliable security guarantees and observance of the rights of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh on the basis of universally recognized international principles within Azerbaijan’s legal framework. This logic follows from the repeatedly confirmed recent agreements of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on mutual recognition by the parties of each other’s territorial integrity in accordance with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.

“At the talks of the foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan that took place in Moscow on July 25, our side proposed realistic compromise-based solutions for de-escalation, which the parties have taken into consideration. I refer to the proposed parallel opening of passages through Aghdam and Lachin for civilians and non-military cargo. This will create the necessary prerequisites for an early launch of direct dialogue between the authorized representatives of official Baku and the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Mutual commitments of the parties to refrain from politicizing purely humanitarian issues stand in no smaller demand. We trust that all participants in the process will find the political will to overcome their contradictions in order to alleviate the plight of tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents and have a sustained Baku-Stepanakert dialogue.

“We are ready to engage with all responsible stakeholders who are interested in normalization of the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation at large. Those who truly adhere to this scenario, which is based on the fundamental interests of the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples, should put aside geopolitical and all sorts of domestic political considerations. We also call for a responsible approach to the use of the Security Council platform in this context. In any case, it is Baku and Yerevan who should resolve these problems. No externally imposed schemes and solutions will replace their dialogue. For our part, we will continue to encourage such dialogue, bringing the parties closer to an original good-neighborly solution, i.a. by employing the potential of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.”

 00:57,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned at the ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor, UK Ambassador to the UN James Kariuki said in his statement at the UNSC emergency meeting on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the Azerbaijani blockade.

“The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned at the ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor, which threatens the supply of life-saving medication, health care, and other essential goods and services – resulting in humanitarian consequences for the local population.

“It is therefore crucial that the ICJ order of February 2023 is respected to ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin corridor in both directions.

“We strongly urge parties to allow the ICRC access along all available routes – including via the Lachin corridor – for the organisation to be able to undertake its vital work. All parties must refrain from the politicisation of humanitarian aid in order to meet the needs of the civilian population.

“We warmly welcome the ongoing, internationally-mediated negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan toward a historic peace agreement, hosted most recently by European Council President Michel last month. We also welcome the efforts of the United States in this regard, with high-level engagement from Secretary Blinken.

“We urge all parties to redouble their efforts in these talks towards a lasting settlement. It is only diplomacy, in the spirit of the UN Charter, that will bring both sides closer to peace,” he said.

 01:16,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The United States is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and urges Azerbaijan to restore free movement through Lachin Corridor, U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at the UN Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The United States is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. And we are deeply troubled by the closure of the Lachin Corridor, which has cut off access to essential goods and exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Access to food, medicine, baby formula, and energy should never be held hostage,” Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.  “We urge the government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement through the corridor – so commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles can reach the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. We also note the possibility of compromise on additional routes for humanitarian supplies. And understand that, since last December, the ICRC has facilitated medical transfers for more than 700 people in need of medical care thanks to a critical lifeline for medically vulnerable individuals through the Lachin Corridor. Neutral, impartial, humane, and independent humanitarian access and assistance – including medical transfers – must not be hindered. Full stop. Colleagues, I want to stress the need for the parties to continue talks aimed at a lasting, peaceful resolution to the conflict – and the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These peace discussions require all parties to exercise creativity, flexibility, and compromise. And let me be clear: peace in the region must include protections for the rights and security of individuals in Nagorno-Karabakh. The United States urges restraint and the immediate cessation of any activities that undermine the peace process. And we call on all sides to fully meet their obligations under international humanitarian law. The international community must continue to engage diplomatically to facilitate dialogue and a durable, dignified peace. Negotiations are vital to a lasting peace. And we support any format that allows Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue dialogue toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We encourage all parties to engage in direct talks, including between officials in Baku and representatives of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region. And we will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with all partners to help build this brighter future,” she added.

 01:30,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. On August 16, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, which was convened at the request of Armenia, on the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan and the total  siege of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The transcript of FM Ararat Mirzoyan’s speech is presented below.

“Madam President,

Distinguished colleagues,

I would like to thank the Security Council for convening this urgent meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh stemming from the 8-months long blockade of the Lachin corridor – the road of life connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and the outer world.

Today I’m here to seek the support of this august body in maintaining the prospect of reaching just and comprehensive peace and stability in our region, which is seriously undermined by Azerbaijan with the humanitarian calamity on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh.

During the last two years, Armenia, with the help of the international community, spared no efforts to establish peace and stability in our region. And I believe, today we still have the opportunity to reach this aim. But the current humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has the full potential to deteriorate the prospects for peace in the whole region of South Caucasus and even beyond.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I would like to elaborate, suggesting you to judge not based on justifications that you might consider being true or false, but on values and facts.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights starts with recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Irrespective of their residence, all human beings are entitled to human rights and dignity, they should be treated with highest respect and care, even at time of war. Unfortunately, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are deprived of such treatment, finding themselves in a condition of a total siege.

Now, let me present the events, facts and figures which show the current realities in blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh.

So, November 9, 2020 – Trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, according to Paragraph 6 of which “The Lachin Corridor (5 km wide), which will provide a connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia…, shall remain under the control of the Russian Federation peacekeeping forces.”

December 12, 2022 – Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin corridor under a fake pretext of environmental concerns. Since then, gradual utilization of limited domestic stocks has resulted in an acute food shortage and closures of stores. Prior to the blockade, around 90% of all consumed food was imported from Armenia, and with every passing day, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh don’t receive 400 tons of essential goods daily. Currently, there is a severe lack of food, including nutrition for kids, flour, sugar, as well as medicine, fuel etc. Moreover, due to the absence of fuel and targeting of workers by Azerbaijan almost all agricultural work has halted. As a result, approximately 10,000 hectares of land adjacent to the contact line remain uncultivated.

December 20, 2022 – The UN Security Council discussed the issue for the first time and the vast majority of council members called Azerbaijan to lift the blockade.

Since December, 2022 periodically and March, 2023 completely (in sum for around 180 days) – Azerbaijan disrupted the only supply of natural gas to Nagorno-Karabakh. Halting the gas supply has already led to a number of adverse humanitarian consequences, such as: (1) disruption of the work of hospitals, (2) disruption of the educational process at the schools and kindergartens, (3) disruption of the work of vitally important institutions and social services, (4) inability of people to heat their homes, (5) loss of the access of many households to hot water, (6) lack of fuel for vehicles, etc.

Since January 9, 2023 (now more than 210 days) – Azerbaijan has disrupted the supply of electricity through the sole high-voltage line between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Since then, relying on limited local resources of electricity, Nagorno-Karabakh had to implement rolling power outages with only a few hours of energy supply.

February 22, 2023  The International Court of Justice indicated a provisional measure in the ongoing case concerning the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan), according to which Azerbaijan shall “take all measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions”.

April 23, 2023 – Azerbaijan, in violation of the ICJ decision and the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, installed a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor.

June 15, 2023 – Azerbaijan went further with fully blocking the Lachin corridor by banning any access to Nagorno-Karabakh, even humanitarian, including of the International Committee of Red Cross.

July 6, 2023 – The International Court of Justice reconfirmed its provisional measure from February 22, 2023.

July 25, 2023 – ICRC, the only international humanitarian organization that has been operating in Nagorno-Karabakh for more than 30 years, stated: “despite persistent efforts, the ICRC is not currently able to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population through the Lachin corridor or through any other routes.”.

July 26, 2023 – The Republic of Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy, which up to now remains at the entrance of the Lachin corridor, as the Azerbaijani side denies the access.

August 2, 2023 – The UN Secretary-General reiterated his deep concern over the challenges related to the freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor, recalling the previous statement on the need to implement the Orders of the ICJ, “including the Orders issued on 22 February 2023 and reaffirmed on 6 July 2023, related to measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin corridor in both directions”. The Secretary-General further expressed particular concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation on the ground and called for “urgent steps to facilitate access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need”.

August 7, 2023 – A group of the UN human rights experts: the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities expressed alarm over the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan and the dire humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, which “has left the population facing acute shortages” and “placed the lives of the residents – especially children, persons with disabilities, older persons, pregnant women, and the sick – at significant risk.”

To sum up, due to the blockade, there is no economic activity in Nagorno-Karabakh. Thousands of people are left unemployed, as there is no possibility to pay the salaries. Even those people that have money are not able to buy anything, as the shelves in the stores are empty. Women, children, elderly stay in long queues in order to be able to buy some bread or fruits and vegetables. Sometimes they have to pass dozens of kilometres on foot to reach empty shops and pharmacies. The authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh had to issue ration coupons for certain food products, including rice, porridge, sugar, etc. There is a real threat of hunger.

Here are some other figures:

“120.000” – This is the number of people living in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is deprived to exercise their basic human rights.

“20.000” – the number of elderly people, who are even unable to move due to the absence of public transportation.

“30.000” – the number of children living in Nagorno-Karabakh, who are struggling from malnutrition and lack of food.

“270”- the number of children who are not able to return and reunite with their families in Nagorno-Karabakh

“2.000” – the number of pregnant women residing in Nagorno-Karabakh who don’t have even basic access to health care.

“9.000” – the number of people with disabilities, who are deprived of proper medical care.

“4.700” and “8.450” – the number of people with diabetes and circulatory diseases, respectively, who are running out of essential medicine.

All these events have doubled the rate of deaths in Nagorno-Karabakh for the past 8 months. Furthermore, the absence of medicine, sanitizers and other items of hygiene create risks of epidemics.

“710” – The total number of the patients and their accompanying persons evacuated by the ICRC throughout the whole period of blockade that went through a humiliating procedure of proving their health condition in order to get “permission” to be evacuated.

1 – A man with a very concrete name and surname – Vagif Khachatrian, who was abducted at the checkpoint being transported by the ICRC to Armenia for heart surgery. He was abducted while being under international humanitarian protection. This is by far not the only incident when Azerbaijan intentionally obstructed the work of the ICRC.

Again, 1 – Another man with a very concrete name and surname – Karо Hovhannisyan, who passed away yesterday. And according to the autopsy report, he died because of starvation and lasting malnutrition.

2 – 3 years old Leo and 6 years old Gita who died in Martakert, as their mom had to leave them alone to go on foot to the nearby town with a hope to find some food for them.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

During the previous months, many of you tried to address the issue of opening the Lachin corridor. However, despite all the calls, the commitments undertaken by the Trilateral statement from November 9, 2020, the legally binding orders of the ICJ the situation did not improve on the ground. Quite contrary, Azerbaijan incrementally but consistently severed the blockade to the degree of complete siege of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia raised its concerns on deepening the humanitarian crisis as a result of closure of the Lachin corridor in all negotiations with Azerbaijan, which were separately facilitated and mediated by the United States of America, European Union, Russia. And yet to no avail.

Throughout this time, Azerbaijan’s engagement has been anything but not in good faith. Back to the first discussion on this issue in the Security Council, Azerbaijan denied any responsibility on the actions thereon and even claimed that it was not controlling the Lachin corridor. Throughout the past eight months, Azerbaijan brought a number of pretexts aimed at justifying its actions. First, it was so-called eco-activists with environmental concerns, then baseless allegations of transporting arms through the Lachin corridor, furthermore military provocations and so on.

The Lachin corridor has been agreed as a link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and has no alternative. The Lachin corridor should be opened, and when it comes to other possible communications, this should be addressed within an international mechanism of Baku-Stepanakert dialogue.

So, today I am here to seek your support to address issues of very humanitarian nature and we expect from this Council:

• to condemn the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, prohibited by international law;
• to condemn the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving the civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access for responses to conflict‑induced food insecurity;
• to demand full compliance with obligations under the international humanitarian law, including those related to the protection of civilians, in particular women and children, and critical civilian infrastructure;
• to call for the immediate restoration of freedom and security of movement of persons, vehicles and cargo, in line with the previously reached agreements, through the Lachin corridor;
• to ensure full cooperation of the parties in good faith with the International Committee of the Red Cross and safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance;
• to dispatch an independent inter-agency needs assessment mission in Nagorno-Karabakh and provide humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

These humanitarian issues clearly need to be resolved with the international community’s strong intervention before the negative consequences result in ethnic cleansing of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the elected representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, “This is a deliberately engineered crime, driven by evident genocidal intent. The Azerbaijani authorities purposefully instigated the blockade of the Lachin corridor, with the knowledge that it would subject the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh to a gradual demise, yet chose to persist with this course of action.”

At the same time, the report of International Criminal Court former prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo reflects that it is already a genocide that is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to Mr. Ocampo, “The blockade of the Lachin corridor by the Azerbaijani security forces impeding access to any food, medical supplies, and other essentials should be considered a Genocide under Article II, (c) of the Genocide Convention: “Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction. Starvation is the invisible Genocide weapon. Without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks.”

Distinguished Council, the prevention of such a catastrophe is a core duty of the United Nations and this Council. I do believe that this distinguished body, despite of geopolitical differences, has capacity to act as genocide prevention body and not as genocide commemoration, when it might be too late.

In conclusion, I would like to come back to the very beginning of my intervention. One of the most important principles of the United Nations is leaving no one behind and Edwin 4 years old, Anastasia 6 years old, Maria 7 years old, David 5 years old, Tatev 5 years old, Samvel 8 years old and many others still have a hope that they will not be left behind.

Thank you”.

 10:01,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The Office of the Human Rights Defender continues the collection of information with regards to the unlawful interference with Mr. Vagif Khachatryan’s fundamental human rights by Azerbaijan.

The Office of the Human Rights Defender continuous the collection of information with regards to the unlawful interference with Mr. Vagif Khachatryan’s fundamental human rights by Azerbaijan, the Human Rights Defender’s Office said in a press release.

In this context, it is noteworthy that Mr. Khachatryan joined the military service on September 1, 1992, only after which he participated in combat operations. Before that Mr. Khachatryan worked as an ordinary driver in Stepanakert.

Therefore, the statement of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan that Mr. Khachatryan allegedly “committed a crime in Meshali village as part of a group of Armenian armed formations” on December 22, 1991, does not correspond to reality. This information is substantiated by archival documents, orders issued by commanders, references documenting his military service, and the testimonies of the members of his family.

Moreover, the information obtained and analyzed by the Human Rights Defender’s Office confirmed the fact that there is no data in international wanted lists regarding Mr. Khachatryan, who was being transferred to Armenia for medical treatment and abducted by Azerbaijan.

The Human Rights Defender reiterates that Mr. Vagif Khachatryan was being transported to Armenia under the auspices of the ICRC to receive the appropriate and necessary medical assistance, and was a protected person under international humanitarian law. Hence, the deprivation of the liberty of the latter is a gross violation of international humanitarian law.

Immediately after the abduction of Vagif Khachatryan, calls for violence against Armenians, propaganda of hatred and enmity, also directed against Vagif Khachatryan and his relatives, gained momentum in the Azerbaijani media.

This phenomenon is yet another manifestation of the policy of Armenophobia and ethnic hatred propagated by Azerbaijani authorities. Moreover, the Azerbaijani society, including public figures, state officials, as well as mass and social media outlets labeled Mr. Khachatryan as a criminal.

The Human Rights Defender underlines that, when ethnic hatred is being propagated, and the presumption of innocence is violated, the fundamental human rights of Mr. Khachatryan cannot be guaranteed, and the proper examination of the case in correspondence with the requirements of the fair trial, by an impartial and fair court cannot be ensured.

The abovementioned gives reasons to conclude that unlawful interference with the fundamental human rights of Vagif Khachatryan by Azerbaijan has been/is being carried out in a gross violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, considering that universally recognized international legal guarantees and standards are not ensured.

The full information obtained and analyzed by the Defender’s Office was sent to the competent authorities and international partners.