Statement delivered by H.E. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia at the General Debate on oral update of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights during the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council

26 February, 2021

Madam President,

We thank the distinguished High Commissioner for the reports and comprehensive presentation. We note with satisfaction that despite extremely challenging circumstances, strict restrictions and limited resources both the HRC and the OHCHR ensured proper functionality.

Pandemic demonstrated, in a most sobering way, how deeply rooted inequalities and human rights violations can exacerbate human suffering. It also showed that even in the face of great calamity and despite all calls for peace, conflicts and violence continue to serve as a fertile ground for grave human rights abuses which further deepen existing humanitarian crises.

In our region 2020 has been tainted with not only by the enormous hardship caused by the COVID-19 but also aggressive splash of militarism and consequent chain of grave human rights violations. 44 days of war launched by Azerbaijan with direct involvement of Turkey and terrorist fighters, against people of Nagorno Karabakh were marked by the most heinous violations of the IHL, targeted shelling of civilian settlements with the cluster munitions and incendiary munitions containing white phosphorus. The brazenly broadcasted torture of the Armenian prisoners of war, killings and abductions of civilians, barbaric destruction of the cultural and religious heritage not only during the war but also after the secession of hostilities is nothing short of an ethnic cleansing of indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh.

The statement of the heads of states of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan of 9 November 2020, was aimed at the establishment of a ceasefire and deployment of the peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh. Yet, one of the most important provisions on the exchange of all PoWs is deliberately breached and exploited by Azerbaijan.

Armenia has always been a proponent of peaceful resolution of the conflict with the human rights-based approach at the heart of it. The fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh cannot be neglected, the plea for justice must not be left unfulfilled. All the PoWs and abducted civilians should be immediately and unconditionally released by Azerbaijan. Along with a number of other most pressing issues these require the attention of this Council and its mechanisms.

Madam President,

The annual Report on human rights in Cyprus yet again demonstrated that Turkey strives to consolidate the results of its aggression of 1974 and illegal occupation of the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus, thus perpetuating partition and aiming at the annexation of it against the will of the island’s indigenous population. Armenia furthermore condemns illegal actions by Ankara that violate international law by changing the status of Varosha and denying the legitimate rights of the people of Cyprus and the internationally-recognized Government.

Madam President,

Non-politicized, constructive and inclusive debates are essential for the promotion and protection of human rights, therefore we are convinced that any biased discourse cannot serve the genuine purpose of improvement of human rights situation on the ground. Human rights issues must be addressed through cooperation and dialogue.

We maintain One China policy, commend China’s efforts towards the promotion of the right to health and the environmental right, as well as its determination to eradicate poverty and to create job opportunities.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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