Azerbaijan is ready to reintegrate Armenian citizens into its environment - Jeyhun Bayramov

Baku/22.02.21/Turan: For almost 30 years, Armenia has used the process of political settlement of the Karabakh conflict to consolidate the consequences of its occupation and annexation of Azerbaijani lands. In the occupied territories, settlements were created, the historical and cultural heritage was destroyed and plundered, natural resources were illegally exploited, state and private property was appropriated. During the years of occupation, Armenia has committed a series of serious crimes against the civilian population of Azerbaijan, as well as its cultural heritage and infrastructure. This was stated by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov speaking on February 22 at the High Level Segment of the UN Human Rights Council.

The last aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, undertaken on September 27, 2020, was no exception. This aggression was accompanied by grave violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Thus, Armenia deliberately attacked densely populated areas of Azerbaijan far from the conflict zone, as a result of which 101 civilians were killed and more than 400 seriously injured. In addition, there are many undeniable facts of violation of the rights of Azerbaijani prisoners by the Armenian military, including humiliation and cruel treatment, physical violence, beheading and cruel treatment of corpses.

Azerbaijan is determined to take all necessary measures to bring to justice those responsible for these crimes, using its rights within the framework of the relevant bilateral and multilateral mechanisms, Bayramov further noted.

Trying to hide the aforementioned actions, Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of the same crimes in order to divert the attention of the international community, and for this purpose, it is conducting a massive campaign of lies.

The liberation of Azerbaijani lands creates conditions for the realization of the right of hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons to a safe and dignified return to their homes.

The government has already begun to take practical measures to restore the territories, ensure the safe and dignified return of the displaced population and peaceful coexistence within the framework of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is determined to reintegrate its Armenian citizens living in the conflict zone into its political, social and economic environment and grant them the same rights and freedoms as all citizens of Azerbaijan. The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan provides a solid legal basis for this.

Peace building, recovery and reconstruction, humanitarian assistance to those in need, and the return of IDPs and refugees are priorities. To this end, Azerbaijan is ready to work with relevant international partners, including the ICRC, UNHCR and other UN agencies, as well as with individual states striving to contribute to peace and stability in the region, in full compliance with the UN principles, the minister stressed. -06D-