CoE Commissioner for Human Rights warned of Azerbaijan’s goal to perpetrate ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh

10:58, 30 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. On August 29, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Dunja Mijatović, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. The meeting took place on the sidelines of Minister Mirzoyan’s visit to the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, the foreign ministry said in a press release.

The interlocutors emphasized the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, dire conditions of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and human rights violations resulting from Azerbaijan’s ongoing 8-months-long blockade and total siege since June 15, as well as the urgency of overcoming the situation. The Foreign Minister noted that by its actions Azerbaijan openly demonstrates its real goal – to subject the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.

Foreign Minister of Armenia appreciated the statements of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the CoE regarding the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh voiced the day before, as well as since the blockade of the Lachine corridor, emphasizing the need for unimpeded implementation of possible steps within the framework of the Commissioner's mandate and CoE tools.

Effective cooperation of Armenia with the Office of the Commissioner of the CoE in matters of human rights protection was also touched upon.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS