Statement of the Delegation of Armenia during the Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's report on State Response to Pandemic at the 47th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

21 June, 2021

HRC 47^thSession: Item 2: Interactive dialogue on High Commissioner’s report on State response to pandemics.

Delivered by Arsen Kotanjyan

President,

Armenia thanks High Commissioner for her leadership and the comprehensive report introduced today.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an extraordinary threat to societies worldwide. Although it began as a public health emergency, the crisis has had far-reaching socio-economic consequences. Pandemics of this magnitude do not respect borders; therefore, they require global action to counter and overcome the crisis. We share the conviction that the global approach to pandemics and other health emergencies should be coordinated and be in line with the International Health Regulations, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the 2030 Agenda.

President,

The COVID-19 was not the only challenge for the Armenian healthcare system during 2020.

On 27 September 2020, in flagrant violation of the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire during the pandemic and the relevant UN Security Council Resolution to this end, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale, premediated military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. In blatant disregard to international law, Azerbaijan deliberately targeted humanitarian objects – hospitals and emergency services. While the international community was struggling to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19, the Armenian healthcare workers had to perform their duties on two fronts.

It is regrettable, that after almost eight months passed from the eruption of the war Azerbaijan still hinders the access of international humanitarian organizations to Nagorno-Karabakh, which can perform lifesaving exercises, including on countering the pandemic.

I thank you.

21 June 2021

HRC 47^th Session: Item 2 – Right of Reply in response to the statement of Azerbaijan during Interactive dialogue on High Commissioner’s report on State response to pandemics

Delivered by Arsen Kotanjyan

Madam President,

Armenia takes the floor in response to the groundless allegations of Azerbaijan voiced during Interactive dialogue on High Commissioner’s report on State response to pandemics.

In the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan unleashed aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. From day one of the war, Azerbaijan deliberately targeted the civilian population and infrastructure. The civilian hospitals, including child and maternity care centers, schools, religious sites and markets were not spared. Azerbaijan did not make the distinction even for the ambulance cars with clear marks of the red cross and the medical personnel who were trying to fulfill their duties under the constant shelling. The residential areas have been bombed by internationally banned cluster munition, and this was confirmed by the Human Rights Watch. The use of the phosphorus munition against civilian targets in the forest terrain in Artsakh specifically intended to add an environmental disaster to the unfolding humanitarian one. Such weapons are notorious in causing thermal burns and respiratory damages. The group of doctors from France have confirmed the use of phosphorus weapons and reported about it.

Madam President,

Azerbaijan unleashed its aggression in sheer defiance to the calls of the UN Secretary-General and the subsequent UN Security Council resolution for observing the ceasefire in times of pandemic. The medical systems of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, which have been already overburdened by the considerable rise of the COVID-19 cases faced a serious challenge in coping with the unprecedented challenge of the full-scale war. Due to the aggression, thousands of people both military and civilian were killed and thousands more were wounded.

90.000 people were displaced in Nagorno-Karabakh, more than 38.000 of them are deprived of the possibility to return to their ancestral homes due to the occupation by Azerbaijan. Once thriving and vibrant cities have been turned into ruins. Azerbaijan obviously pursued the objective of creating unbearable conditions for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and ethnically cleanse them.

This destructive policy of Azerbaijan has continued after the cessation of the active hostilities. As the spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General has recently confirmed Azerbaijan hinders the access of international humanitarian organizations to Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result, thousands of people are deprived of their right to receive the necessary humanitarian aid.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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