HRC 54: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People

28 September, 2023

Delivered by Ms. Nelli Petrosyan, Human Rights Officer

President,

Armenia thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report and engagement with the Council.

We are of the view that full application and respect of human rights of Indigenous Peoples, as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, is vital for promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous communities.

President,

Following the nine months long inhumane blockade of the Lachin Corridor, on 19 September 2023, Azerbaijan unleashed another aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, in a blatant attempt to ethnically cleanse indigenous Armenian population from its ancestral homeland. Azerbaijani armed forces used large-caliber weapons, including artillery, as well as prohibited cluster munition against the civilian population. As a result of Azerbaijan’s unprovoked and unjustified military hostilities, there are more than 200 killed and 400 wounded, including women and children. Tens of thousands indigenous Armenian people became forcibly displaced.

These atrocities are at odds with Azerbaijan’s declared claims for a peaceful future in the region. Armenia has continuously reported to this Council about looming ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

If not prevented the Armenian indigenous population will be uprooted and its historical and religious heritage will be vandalized.

This has to be stopped.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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