Resolution 2517 (2023)1Provisional version

Humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Parliamentary Assembly

1. Recalling Azerbaijan’s “commitment to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict” asspecified in Opinion 222 (2000), the Parliamentary Assembly strongly condemns the military operationlaunched by the Azerbaijani army in Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September 2023. The Assembly recognises theterritorial integrity of Azerbaijan. It underlines that this entails the responsibility of this country for the actions ittakes within its internationally recognised borders.

2. The Assembly notes that this military operation took place after a ten-month period during which theArmenian population of this region has been denied free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor, theonly road allowing it to reach Armenia and the rest of the world, leading to a situation of extremely acute foodand supply shortages and high vulnerability of all inhabitants. This was in clear disregard of the provisionaland interim measures addressed to Azerbaijan by the International Court of Justice and the European Courtof Human Rights, whose decisions also noted the obligation of Azerbaijan under the 2020 Trilateral Statementto “guarantee the security of persons, vehicles and cargo moving along the Lachin Corridor in both directions”.In this context, the Assembly recalls the most recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights of22 September 2023 to indicate interim measures under Rule 39 of its Rules in respect of Azerbaijan andurges Azerbaijan to implement them without further delay.

3. The Assembly deeply regrets that just at a time when the situation concerning the transport of thehumanitarian supply to the population seemed to improve and a glimpse of hope was emerging, a contributingfactor to the escalation of the situation was the killing of Azerbaijani civilians and law enforcement personnel ina mine explosion and Azerbaijan took the decision to launch this show of force. Indeed, the combination ofacute food and supply shortages for the population over a period of months, followed by a military operationand the opening of the corridor towards Armenia for departures, following each other in such shortsuccession, could be perceived as being designed to incite the civilian population to leave the country.

4. The Assembly strongly believes that this long-standing and tragic conflict can only be resolvedpeacefully, through dialogue and unambiguous signals of goodwill, and on the basis of the applicableinternational law, fully respecting the human rights of everyone living there.

5. The Assembly recalls the positive obligations of Azerbaijan to ensure the protection of everyone livingin its sovereign territory and under its jurisdiction, including the Armenian population of this region. Theseobligations are enshrined in the international human rights treaties to which Azerbaijan is a party, in particularthe European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5) and the Framework Convention for the Protection ofNational Minorities (ETS No. 157), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and theInternational Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

6. The Assembly underlines the obligation now incumbent on Azerbaijan, under Articles 2 and 3 of theEuropean Convention on Human Rights, to conduct a thorough, transparent, independent and effectiveinvestigation into the deaths, disappearances and allegations of ill-treatment which occurred during and after

1. Assembly debate on 12 October 2023 (23rd sitting) (see Doc. 15840, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugeesand Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Domagoj Hajduković). Text adopted by the Assembly on 12 October 2023(23rd sitting).

See also Recommendation 2260 (2023).

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