HRC 54rd Session - General debate under Agenda Item 5: Human rights bodies and mechanisms - Embassy of Armenia to Switzerland and Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN office at Geneva

HRC 54rd Session - General debate under Agenda Item 5: Human rights bodies and mechanisms

29 September, 2023

Delivered by Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative

President,

The Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures are indispensable instruments of the UN Human Rights system’s early warning capacity. Hence, it is truly unfortunate when their findings, conclusions and recommendations do not receive the required attention and follow up actions, including in the cases of recorded pattern of human rights violations.

A year ago, the UN CERD expressed its deep concern with regard to the crimes committed by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the extrajudicial killings, torture and other ill-treatment and arbitrary detentions, destruction of civilian facilities and cultural heritage. It also warned on the “lack of an independent and comprehensive mechanism to investigate such reports of violations and to provide victims with redress and support.”

The special procedures too have continuously warned in their communications and press releases addressed to Azerbaijan about the lack of accountability. Only two days ago the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions reiterated that “Azerbaijan must promptly investigate alleged or suspected violations of the right to life reported in the context of its latest military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Early warning without early action and prevention may only perpetuate the cycle of impunity risking further abuses of international law.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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