A report on the consequences of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict to be heard at the PACE autumn session

Baku/17.09.21/Turan: Following the recent tragic conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the PACE Migration Committee formulated a number of recommendations for both countries to eliminate humanitarian consequences in the short and long term and move towards the peace and reconciliation. This is stated in a message on the PACE website.

Having approved the resolution and recommendation based on the report of Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL) who visited both countries, the committee stated that it was "concerned about  numerous allegations of crimes, war crimes and other illegal actions" during the 44-day war.

He called upon both countries to "fully investigate the charges and bring to justice all those found guilty, including at the command level," as well as to fully cooperate with the European Court of Human Rights over the complaints filed against them.

"If there is neither accountability, nor truth and reconciliation, these accusations will poison relations between the two countries for generations, so the consequences of the conflict will persist," the committee noted.

Welcoming the recent release of 15 Armenians by Azerbaijan on June 12, 2021 and the further release of 15 people on July 3, 2021 following which the total number of repatriated persons exceeded 100, the committee also called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release all remaining captives and return them to Armenia.

The Committee expressed regret that after the November ceasefire, 159 Azerbaijanis and 5 Armenians were killed or injured as a result of mine explosions, and called on Armenia to "immediately submit all the maps of minefields available to it".

When adjusted for various border incidents that have occurred since May 2021, the parliamentarians called on both sides to reduce the level of escalation and start negotiations on the border demarcation process.

As for the displaced persons, the committee asked the international community to continue to support Armenia and Azerbaijan and called on both countries to effectively use the experience of the Council of Europe. Also, he recommended that both countries take steps to combat hatred kindling, as well as hatred crimes, including through the adoption of appropriate legislation with the assistance of the Council of Europe.

The Committee noted that the prolonged conflict had a "catastrophic" impact on the cultural heritage and property of the region.

It is important to note that the members of the Committee submitted two dissenting opinions attached to the Havana report which will be discussed by the Assembly on September 27, at the autumn plenary meeting. -02D-