Mijatović: Armenians displaced from Artsakh should be given the opportunity of a safe and dignified return
The Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities should focus on human rights protection in their peace talks and establish strong human rights safeguards for all persons affected by the conflict. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović said this in a report, making her observations after her visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia, including Artsakh, on Oct. 16-23, 2023.
The report reads that it was the first time in decades that a human rights mission of this kind was able to visit Artsakh. As noted, the reason for the visit was the mass displacement of over 100,000 Artsakh Armenians who fled to Armenia in a couple of days in late September.
“The displacement followed Azerbaijan’s military action on 19 and 20 September, its subsequent full control over the region and the prolonged disruption in the movement of people and access to essential goods, services and energy supplies experienced by Karabakh Armenians as a result of a nine-month blocking of the road along the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan. In Armenia, the Commissioner spoke with Karabakh Armenians who had left and were staying in shelters provided by the authorities.
In Stepanakert, following the departure of its population, the Commissioner witnessed empty streets, abandoned premises and almost no sign of the presence of civilians.
On the basis of what she could hear and see, the Commissioner concluded that at the end of September 2023, Karabakh Armenians found themselves abandoned without any reliable security or protection guarantees by any party, and that, for them, leaving home was the only reasonable option available,” reads the report.
The Commissioner also noted that the displaced persons, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups, should be granted access to the necessary support in the short, medium and long term.
“Council of Europe member states should maintain a focus on providing financial support to ensure that the humanitarian needs of displaced persons and their host populations can be fully met”, the Commissioner added.
The Commissioner noted that the Armenians recently displaced from Artsakh should be given the possibility of a safe and dignified return – even if it currently seems hypothetical– including by finding flexible solutions, in particular as concerns their citizenship and legal status.
“Pending a possible return, ways should be promptly found, including by establishing security guarantees, for Karabakh Armenians to temporarily access their homes or places of habitual residence, and visit graveyards where loved ones are buried.
It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that property left behind by Karabakh Armenians is protected from looting, theft or being taken over.
The few ethnic Armenians who have stayed in the Karabakh region should also benefit from all human rights protection, including by having their freedom of movement secured,” reads the report.
The Commissioner expressed hope that all internally displaced persons, who would have the wish, would be able to return as soon as possible in safety and with dignity.
More generally, the Commissioner noted that everyone displaced as a result of the long-lasting conflict has the right to voluntarily return to their homes or places of residence in safety and with dignity.
The report also notes that a comprehensive approach should be adopted in addressing the serious human rights violations with regard to the Artsakh conflict.
