HRC 52nd Session: Item 3: Annual Debate on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

14 March, 2023

President,

Armenia appreciates the enlightening presentations of the panelists.

Armenia consistently demonstrates a strong dedication in ensuring that no one is left behind in our efforts to build a better future, especially for the vulnerable groups.

As a country committed to the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, Armenia strongly believes that the transformation of services and support for persons with disabilities require concerted efforts of all stakeholders, including persons with disabilities, their families, civil society, the private sector, international organizations and the government.

In today's fast-evolving and changing world all stakeholders should join the efforts in assessing the existing out-of-date models and adopt new models of transformation services based on cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of persons with disabilities. At the core it should provide necessary support to prevent exclusion, discrimination and marginalization. The models should focus on innovative solutions that prioritize individual choices and self-determination. This will create an inclusive and sustainable society, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

In 2021 Armenia’s Parliament adopted a new Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which introduced advanced protection measures and norms. The Human Rights Watch hailed it as an “important progress”. The new law has been especially pertinent since the war unleashed by Azerbaijan in 2020 left thousands of people with physical and psychosocial disabilities. The government has initiated programs providing mental health support to war victims and the wider public and created centers of independent living for people who acquired disabilities because of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

During the war Azerbaijan used cluster munitions, incendiary and phosphorus bombs and other lethal weapons that inflict especially cruel injuries to the people. The use of such deadly weapons enhanced the number of casualties and seriously maimed people. Moreover, all those disabled people who failed to timely evacuate were tortured and killed by armed forces of Azerbaijan. There are videos depicting these horrendous violations of human rights recorded by the tormentors themselves.

Azerbaijan continues to infringe upon the rights of the people with disabilities. Recently, The International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the European Disability Forum (EDF), expressed concern with regard to the humanitarian situation caused by the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the lifeline road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. they stipulated that “as a result of the blockade, around 120,000 people, including more than 9,000 persons with disabilities face grave human rights violations.” Azerbaijan rejects to open the Corridor even after the legally binding Order issued in this regard by the International Court of Justice.

In parallel to these gross violations of human rights, Azerbaijan has also developed a false narrative on the so-called use of landmines by Armenia against the peaceful population. ICJ has twice unanimously rejected the false accusations of Azerbaijan about the alleged use of landmines by Armenia. These Orders of ICJ once again vividly demonstrated that Azerbaijan abuses the issue of landmines for its political purposes and for dissemination of groundless propaganda against Armenia.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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