The autumn session of the OSCE PA continued at the Karen Demirchyan Sports Concert Complex. The issues of protecting the rights of people and minorities in conflict zones were discussed at the November 19 session.
OSCE PA vice-chairman Daniela de Ridder emphasized the observance of international humanitarian law, which is also enshrined in the Vancouver Declaration. The rapporteur referred to the protection of the rights of minorities, the humanitarian consequences of conflicts, and the cases of escalation. In this context, she spoke about the displacement of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians and added: they implement all possible steps, but it is necessary to provide assistance in solving problems. Valuing peace in the OSCE region, the vice president expressed the opinion that joint steps and political will can provide a positive result.
Ways to overcome crises, humanitarian problems in conflict zones, causes of conflicts. Fernand de Varennes, the former UN special rapporteur on minority issues (2017-2023), addressed these issues in an online format. According to the rapporteur, the prevention of conflicts and the protection of the rights of minorities should be the basis of everyone’s actions cases of xenophobia and intolerance, which often have serious consequences.
Yeghishe Kirakosyan, the representative of the Republic of Armenia for International Legal Affairs, emphasized the importance of the discussion of the issues in this forum. , inhumane treatment, capture and enforced disappearance, missing persons, captives and civilians with the sad realities of murders, deprivation of tens of thousands of people deprived of their homes,” the RA representative emphasized, adding that more than a month ago, we witnessed the mass movement of Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia. According to him, the realities that Armenia has faced in the last three years over the years, have motivated our country to be very active in terms of the application of international legal mechanisms. In this context, the RA representative noted that Armenia applied to the European Court of Human Rights and presented the results of the lawsuits.
“We have many, many conflicts breaking out in different parts of the world, and frozen conflicts are exploding on the European continent and elsewhere, and it worries us a lot. This is putting the international legal order to the test to see what the international legal order can do order to resolve these conflicts,” Yeghishe Kirakosyan emphasized. He also referred to the inadmissibility of hate speech on social networks, which also has disastrous consequences the representative also spoke about the illegal blockade of the Lachine Corridor and the resulting humanitarian crisis, which led to ethnic cleansing.
In their speeches, the OSCE PA delegates spoke about the importance of observing the norms of international humanitarian law, the events taking place in Gaza, the elimination of hatred towards minorities, and the need for a joint struggle in this matter Russian-Ukrainian, Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh. that there cannot be peace without justice, the equal protection of the rights of all peaceful citizens was rejected by the delegates, and the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity was emphasized in the process of regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Margaretta Cederfelt, Honorary President of the OSCE PA from the Swedish delegation, said that genocides are a part of our history, but there are people who still deny it In this context, he considered denial of the genocide to be inadmissible, stressing that the parliamentarians should contribute to this matter.
The deputy head of the Belgian delegation to the OSCE PA, the head of the Belgium-Armenia friendship group, Mark Demesmeker, spoke about the policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and noted that he is going to visit the refugee center to meet and listen to their problems to overcome this situation”, emphasized the MP.
Lilit Galstyan, a member of the Armenian National Assembly delegation in the OSCE PA, reminded the colleagues that our appeals to the international community were not successful and it was not possible to prevent the disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh about, noting that Armenia calls that country “Western Azerbaijan”.
“The best way to protect human rights is democracy, the best environment is peace,” said Artur Hovhannisyan, member of the RA NA delegation to the OSCE PA, secretary of the “Civil Pact” faction, and spoke about the problems of forcibly displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. that according to resolutions, declarations and even decisions of the international court, they should have lived in their homeland and not become refugees.
In their speeches, the OSCE PA delegates talked about the problems of protecting children’s and women’s rights in conflict zones. It was said that the protection of the rights of minorities is not only the problem of the states, but of the international community, and not only resolutions are needed, but real steps are needed – people’s rights. The protection and security of Armenians’ rights in the South Caucasus region, the fulfillment of promises related to the reintegration of Armenians in Azerbaijan were highlighted.
In his final speech, the head of the RA NA delegation to the OSCE PA, Sargis Khandanyan, expressed his belief that during the last two days, important discussions were held regarding internal and external threats and the deteriorating security situation in the OSCE region.
“Every time we gather at this parliamentary platform, we ultimately hope that the next time we gather again, we will find ourselves in a better position, in a more stable and peaceful OSCE region. However, it seems that hope is not enough, given what happened expressing a reaction is not enough, we must take more decisive actions to win this battle,” said Sargis Khandanyan. Concluding his speech, the head of the Armenian delegation expressed his gratitude to the people who made this meeting possible.
OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma thanked the Armenian side for organizing the work of the session at a high level. He emphasized the establishment of peace in the world, noted that the mission of the assembly is to work in that direction.
The autumn session of the OSCE PA has completed its work.
Time.news Interview with Fernand de Varennes, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues
Editor: Good morning, reader! Today we have an important discussion lined up regarding the humanitarian challenges in conflict zones, particularly regarding the rights of minorities. Joining us is Fernand de Varennes, the former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues. Thank you for being here, Mr. de Varennes.
de Varennes: Good morning, and thank you for having me. It’s a crucial time to discuss these matters.
Editor: The recent session of the OSCE PA highlighted the urgent need to protect the rights of people in conflict zones. You mentioned the importance of preventing conflicts and the necessity of safeguarding minority rights. Can you elaborate on how these two aspects are interconnected?
de Varennes: Absolutely. Prevention is key. Conflicts often arise from underlying tensions, including xenophobia and intolerance towards minority groups. By addressing the rights of these communities early on, we can help mitigate the factors that lead to violent conflicts. It’s about creating an inclusive dialogue that respects diversity—this can forestall situations before they escalate into violence.
Editor: At the session, OSCE PA vice-chairman Daniela de Ridder emphasized the humanitarian consequences of conflicts and stressed the need for coordinated political will. What role do you think international bodies, like the OSCE, play in restoring humanitarian order and rights in these affected areas?
de Varennes: International bodies are essential in setting standards and frameworks for conduct during conflicts. They can facilitate dialogue and collaboration among nations, pushing for adherence to international humanitarian law. Events like the OSCE PA session can shine a light on the plight of minorities and create a platform where concerns can be aired and addressed. However, we must translate these discussions into action on the ground.
Editor: In your address, you mentioned that many conflicts are now “frozen” yet flaring up again. How can countries prepare to handle these impending crises?
de Varennes: Countries must foster resilience through strong civil societies that promote inclusivity and mutual respect. Education is critical; by teaching the values of tolerance and understanding, we can reduce the risks of xenophobia. It’s also vital to have monitoring systems in place to identify early signs of conflict so that proactive measures can be initiated rather than reactive ones.
Editor: Armenian representative Yeghishe Kirakosyan spoke on the severe consequences of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting displacement issues. Can you talk about the specific human rights implications for displaced individuals and how they can be addressed?
de Varennes: Displacement leads to numerous human rights violations, including loss of livelihood, shelter, and social networks. Displaced persons often find themselves in legal limbo without access to justice or resources for rebuilding their lives. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach: ensuring immediate humanitarian assistance, providing legal channels for displaced individuals to seek justice, and implementing long-term reintegration strategies into their communities.
Editor: You’ve raised the point about hate speech and its disastrous consequences, especially on social media. How can the international community combat this phenomenon?
de Varennes: Strong legal frameworks must be established that prohibit hate speech while ensuring the protection of freedom of expression. Social media companies play a significant role in curbing hate speech by enforcing their policies vigorously. International cooperation is crucial; countries must share best practices and establish norms that condemn hate speech and protect vulnerable communities.
Editor: One final question, Mr. de Varennes. There was a strong sentiment from multiple delegates at the OSCE PA about the need for justice to achieve peace. What steps should be taken to ensure that justice is served?
de Varennes: Justice is vital for sustainable peace. Truth and reconciliation processes can help nations heal, and accountability mechanisms must be established for those responsible for human rights abuses. This means not only holding individuals accountable but also addressing systemic issues that allow such abuses to occur. The global community must support these processes and recognize that without justice, conflict is likely to resurface.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. de Varennes, for sharing your insights today. Your expertise is invaluable in these discussions, and we appreciate your commitment to promoting human rights and peace.
de Varennes: Thank you for the platform. It’s discussions like these that keep these issues in the spotlight and encourage action.
Editor: We hope to continue these critical dialogues in the future. Thank you to our readers for tuning in!