2024-04-13 06:43:57
Levon Kocharyan, a member of the RA NA delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, deputy of the “Armenia” faction, gave a speech at the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
“Dear Colleagues,
Six months have passed since the day when the armed forces of Azerbaijan attacked Nagorno Karabakh and occupied it. On September 19, 2023, after a nearly 10-month siege that led to mass starvation, deprivation, disease, and death, more than 120,000 Armenians—almost the entire population at risk of annihilation—were forced to flee their homeland for just a few days. during.
I followed the events happening in my birthplace with great anxiety and pain from Armenia and I relived the memories of my childhood spent in the shelter for days and weeks from the Azerbaijani aerial bombardments in the early 1990s. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh have an ancient and deep connection with their homeland, the historical evidence of which dates back centuries. Generations have lived, worked and built their lives in this region, creating a rich cultural heritage that binds them to this land.
Despite the difficulties, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh continue to remain unwavering in their aspirations to return to their homeland, determine their political future and realize their own democratic self-government. According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh have an absolute right to return to their homeland. The UN International Court of Justice ruled on November 17 of last year that Azerbaijan should ensure the “safe, unimpeded and unhindered return” of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
On March 12, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on Azerbaijan to “sincerely enter into a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Armenians of Karabakh to ensure the respect of their rights and guarantee their safety, including the right to return to their homes and live there in dignified and safe conditions.” Achieving lasting peace in the region is not possible when the people of Nagorno Karabakh are forcibly displaced from their homeland, and the concept of “peace” is imposed on Armenia.
Facilitating the return of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to their homeland under international protection and guarantees is important for the promotion of stable and lasting peace in the region, and this concept should be included in the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Indeed, the recognition and protection of the right of return is not only a matter of justice and human rights, but also of great importance for the promotion of peace, stability and reconciliation in the region. The international community is obliged to make concerted efforts in the direction of maintaining the principles of international law and ensuring the dignity and rights of all persons affected by the conflict.
Thank you,” said Levon Kocharyan.