Armenia asks ICJ for protection of ethnic Armenians in disputed region

Sept 30 2023

Armenia has asked the International Court of Justice to make sure that Azerbaijan does not persecute ethnic Armenians in a disputed region between the two nations.

Azerbaijan took military action on September 19 over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia lost in the conflict, and many ethnic Armenians have fled their homes, fearing oppression by the government of Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, there is concern over whether the rights and lives of the remaining ethnic Armenians in the region will be protected.

The ICJ announced on Thursday that Armenia asked the world court to indicate provisional measures for Azerbaijan to preserve and protect their rights.

Specifically, Armenia requests that Azerbaijan refrain from taking any measures that could violate the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Armenia also demands that Azerbaijan refrain from any action to displace ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's foreign ministry revealed on Friday that it has invited relevant UN agencies to visit Nagorno-Karabakh.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed in a regular news conference on the same day that the Azerbaijan government and the United Nations have agreed that a UN mission on humanitarian assistance will take place over the weekend.

He said the UN team will seek to identify the humanitarian needs of both people remaining in the region and those leaving it.

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