Azerbaijan`s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh areas clear violation of Rome Statute of International Criminal Court – ANCA

ARMINFO
Armenia – Aug 9 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing of Aghavno, Berdzor, and other areas of Artsakh represents a clear violation of Article 7, Section 1(d) of the Rome Statute of  the International Criminal Court – prohibiting the "deportation or  forcible transfer of population," ANC reports. 

Azerbaijan has presented an ultimatum demanding resettlement of the   Berdzor, Sus and Aghavno residents until August 25, planning to close   the highway running along the Lachin corridor, while an alternative  highway has not yet been constructed. So Artsakh is facing complete   isolation. Azerbaijan's ultimatum is in conflict with Point 6 of the  trilateral statement Azerbaijan itself is referring to. The   international community is silent about that.  Earlier, Artsakh   Minister of Territorial Administration Hayk Khanumyan discussed   evacuation of the Aghavno, Sus and Berdzor residents with the   Kashatagh residents and local authorities. However, the local   residents will not leave. 

Berdzor Mayor Narek Aslanyan reported that the Aghavno, Sus and   Berdzor residents will receive housing certificates – AMD 8mln in   case of moving to Yerevan and AMD 10mln in case of moving to other  Armenian regions. Those wishing to purchase housing in Artsakh will   receive AMD 12mln. 

Under the circumstances, 56 residents of Aghavno applied to the OSCE   Minsk Group co-chairs for immediate and active interference and   mediation by France and the United States for the village to be  relocated in the new corridor zone (just 1,200 meters of the area) to   avert a humanitarian disaster, which could deprive them of their way   of life, homeland and even lives.