The interview of Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN Office in Geneva to the “Tribune de Geneve” newspaper.

11 November, 2020

“The crimes committed in Nagorno-Karabakh should be prosecuted”

The representative of Armenia to the UN reminds that the ceasefire agreement must not mean impunity for the perpetrators of war crimes.

by Alain Jourdan

Tribune de Geneve, 10 November, 2020

Despite the signing of a ceasefire agreement Monday evening between Azerbaijan and Armenia to end the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, this conflict is expected to have consequences. For Armenia's representative to the UN in Geneva, Andranik Hovhannisyan, the international community must ensure, in particular, that the perpetrators of war crimes are brought to justice.

How do you react to the agreement signed in recent hours?

The declaration on the cessation of hostilities was made yesterday evening, and there is not much that I can say at this point. Russian peacekeeping force is on its way to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

What follow-up should have the crimes committed during this conflict?

To ensure the prevention of these atrocious crimes in the future, it is important to bring the perpetrators of war crimes to justice. Peace is more than a state of non-war; if a viable peace is to be established and maintained, there must be a solid basis for justice. Overall, the Nagorno-Karabakh war stands as a litmus test to the modern international order in terms of its viability and the capability to react to the humanitarian crises and ensuring accountability for the crimes committed. The Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh face an existential threat, and they will in no circumstances survive if Azerbaijan takes control over them. We very much hope that the international community will take this into account and will recognize the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination as the only possible guarantee for their security and survival.

The UN has recently denounced possible war crimes. Can you confirm that? Was there use of phosphorus bombs?

Indeed, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights made it clear that the extrajudicial summary execution of the Armenians detained by the Azerbaijan’s armed forces amount to a war crime. One of the perpetrators captured by the Nagorno-Karabakh army gave a testimony that they were offered extra 100 US dollars for each beheaded “infidel” Armenian. When it comes to the internationally banned phosphorus bombs, their use over the forest terrain in Artsakh specifically intended to add an environmental disaster to the unfolding humanitarian one.

Do you have an idea how many jihadists have come from Syria and Libya?

The Armenian sources put the number of more than 4.000 mercenaries. Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov recently gave the number of 2.000 terrorists. The head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service pointed out that they have been recruited from such notorious organizations as al-Nusra, Sultan Murad, al-Hamza and others. These are the same terrorist groups that have been perpetrating heinous attacks against innocent people all around the world, including in the European cities. Turkey stands behind their recruitment and transfer.

Has Turkey played a leading role in today’s outcome?

Azerbaijan has ceded part of its sovereignty to Turkey. Military tasks were carried out under the command and control of Turkish officers. Turkey controlled the airspace of Azerbaijan and supported the military offensives.

Why did the three earlier humanitarian truce attempts failed?

The objective of Azerbaijan was to occupy the entire Nagorno-Karabakh and ethnically cleanse it. The president of Azerbaijan has never made a secret out of that. Azerbaijan rejected any international verification mechanisms for the ceasefire violations proposed by the mediators - the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, France and the United States) to keep its hands free for continuing the aggression. Even before the war, at least twice the negotiating sides were very close to the settlement of the conflict and both times the peace plan was rejected by Azerbaijan. Baku wants “all or nothing.”

https://www.tdg.ch/les-crimes-commis-dans-le-haut-karabakh-devront-etre-juges-894157497321

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