Statement delivered by the delegation of Armenia during the adoption of the HRC Resolution "The negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights"

24 March, 2021

HRC 46th Session: Decisions and conclusions: Explanation of vote before the vote on the draft resolution L.4 The negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights

Delivered by H.E. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Ambassador, Permanent Representative

President,

Armenia believes in the universality of human rights, including the right of people to self-determination. As a landlocked country borders of which are sealed off by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenia knows firsthand how UCMs exacerbate the challenges of economic and social development.

The draft resolution L.4 contains a preambular paragraph 18 with a welcoming reference to the Final Outcome Document of the Eighteenth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Baku in 2019.

Both in the process of the informal consultations on this particular resolution and on other instances, Armenia expressed its strong opposition to that language, since it contains highly biased references to Armenia. The language was introduced in blatant violation of the purposes and principles of the Movement by Azerbaijan, the host State of the last Summit that currently holds its Presidency.

The Document is an extensive paper of 250 pages long and refers to a wide range of various topics and issues, which are not necessarily related to the UCMs and human rights. Hence, Armenia sees no need to welcome and recall it in its entirety in this resolution of the Council.

During the informal consultations Armenia made a proposal that could have let retain the reference on Outcome Document and make it focused specifically on the topic of the respective resolution. All our constructive efforts were ignored by Azerbaijan in the sheer abuse of its position as the President of NAM. In the same manner, the penholder had not addressed this issue on similar resolutions during the 43^rd, 44^th and 45^th sessions.

For the reasons mentioned, Armenia changed its voting pattern at the last session. Instead of our traditional vote in favor, we abstained and will do so at this session again, if the resolution is going to be voted. Armenia further disassociates from the preambular paragraph 18 on Outcome Document and requests it to be reflected in the official records of the meeting.

Armenia hopes that the members of the Movement, and with most of them Armenia enjoys excellent rapport, will engage in addressing these concerns. This is not an isolated move by Azerbaijan against Armenia perpetrated in abuse of NAM platform and Armenia will continue to oppose such instances. This Movement does not need to get entangled with the position of a member that happens to belligerently pursue a conflict with my nation.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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