HRC 49th Session: Decisions and conclusions: Explanation of vote before the vote on the draft resolution L.6 The negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights

31 March, 2022

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

President,

Armenia knows firsthand how the UCMs exacerbate the challenges of economic and social development. We have a landlocked nation that also suffers from the closed borders that have been imposed upon us for thirty years now, ever since independence.

By saying this we would also like to note that the draft resolution L.6 contains a preambular paragraph 20 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 as well, Armenia expressed its strong opposition to that language, since the said Outcome Document 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 Summit that currently holds its Presidency.

The Document is an extensive, 250 pages-long paper that 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.

Nevertheless, during the informal consultations Armenia made a proposal that could have let retain the reference to the 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 preceding sessions of the Council.

For the reasons mentioned, Armenia changed its previous voting pattern and instead of our traditional vote in favor, we abstained. We will do the same at this session if the resolution is going to be voted. Armenia further disassociates from the preambular paragraph 20 on the Outcome Document and requests it to be reflected in the official records of the meeting.

This is not an isolated move by Azerbaijan against Armenia perpetrated in abuse of the 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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