Right of Replies to the statements delivered by Azerbaijan at the High-Level Segment

03 March, 2023

First Right of reply

Delivered by Ms. Hrachuhi Katvalyan, Deputy Permanent Representative

President,

Azerbaijan abused the High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council to put forward unfounded allegations against Armenia.

Azerbaijan blatantly misrepresents the UN Security Council resolutions adopted 30 years ago on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia is mentioned in these resolutions only in the context of influencing the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh within the negotiations in the Minsk Group format. This is the reality. The UN Security Council resolutions also call on unimpeded humanitarian relief to those in need. Even today Azerbaijan does not comply with this universal norm.

Azerbaijan continues the blockage of the Lachin Corridor, the sole road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and outside world, in a sheer defiance to the international community. The UN SG recently recalled that decisions of the ICJ are binding and should be implemented, including (and I quote) “on the measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.”

The Freedom House warned that Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor “is creating a humanitarian crisis as vital supplies dwindle.” Amnesty International stated that it “puts thousands of lives in peril”. The Human Rights Watch reported that disruption prevented Armenians “from leaving the region and returning home.” The CNN reported that nowadays “potatoes are luxury in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Azerbaijan claims that the group that closed the Lachin Corridor are environmental activists. However, any mass protests of activists in this context are unthinkable, unless they are inspired and organized by the authorities of Azerbaijan. In particular, according to the US Department of State 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices of Azerbaijan (and I quote) “[t]he government consistently and severely restricted freedom of peaceful assembly, creating conditions that amounted to a de facto ban on assembly.”

The ICJ also unanimously rejected the request for provisional measure made by Azerbaijan on the alleged use of landmines by Armenia. This is the second time that Court rejects this request made by Azerbaijan. This Order effectively puts to rest the false narratives of Azerbaijan in this regard.

Azerbaijan also brazenly ignores the previous provisional orders of the ICJ adopted in December 2021 pertaining to the protection of the rights of Armenian detainees; prevention of anti-Armenian incitement and promotion of racial hatred, including by its officials and public institutions; and prevention and punishment of acts of destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage.

I thank you.

Second Right of reply

Delivered by Ms. Hrachuhi Katvalyan, Deputy Permanent Representative

President,

Armenia asked for the second right of reply to refute the baseless allegations of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan creates unbearable conditions for indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh in an attempt to force them to leave their ancestral homes. This includes regular obstructions of the gas pipeline and electric grid that supply Nagorno-Karabakh and periodic shelling of villages and agricultural fields.

The recent and most horrendous act of Azerbaijan has been the continuous blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Only handful of people, mainly in severe health conditions, have managed to travel on ICRC cars across the Lachin Corridor. The emergency medical care is contingent on negotiated ICRC transfers, as if in a time of war.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan announced at the highest level that it can lift the blockade only for those who want to leave Nagorno-Karabakh. In other words, ethnic Armenians may not enter Nagorno-Karabakh, but they may leave. It is a creeping ethnic cleansing in making.

Azerbaijan unleashed an aggression against Armenia last September. According to five UN Special Procedures Mandate Holders during this attack Azerbaijan perpetrated extrajudicial killings of Armenian PoWs and civilians, committed torture, desecration of bodies, including women. The SPMH stated that these could amount to war crimes.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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