HRC 53rd Session: Item 3: ID with Special Adviser of the UN SG on the Prevention of Genocide Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu

04 July, 2023

Delivered by H.E. Mr. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia

Mr. President,

Armenia welcomes the Special Advisor to this Council.

We appreciate her attention to the disruption of Lachin corridor, the sole lifeline for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Procedure Mandate Holders and many others have also referred to this dire situation. The ICJ issued an order on Azerbaijan to ensure unimpeded movement on the Lachin corridor. The Secretary General of the UN reminded Azerbaijan that the orders of the ICJ are binding.

Azerbaijan defies these calls. It publicly claims that the international law does not work and alleges that this conduct is within its sovereign right. It opens fire against Nagorno-Karabakh almost on a daily basis. On 27 June four Armenians were killed. The public television of Azerbaijan openly preaches for a new war. An online poll showed 83 percent of support extended to it. The high-level officials of Azerbaijan use anti-Armenian hate speech. The UN CERD and Council of Europe ECRI have expressed deep concern about this, and the ICJ ordered to stop it.

The Amnesty International recently referred to this situation as an “unfolding humanitarian crisis”.

All indicators for looming atrocity crimes are in place. Hence, the international prevention mechanisms should be enacted.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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