Dunja Mijatović on outcome of her visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan

Baku/27.10.23/Turan: "Human rights violations have once again marked the latest chapter of the long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in and around the Karabakh region. Full respect for human rights for all and strict adherence to relevant international standards should be at the centre of the reconciliation path between the two countries," said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović at the end of her visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh region from 16 to 23 October.

The visit to the region was prompted by the mass displacement of more than 100600 Karabakh Armenians who fled to Armenia in just a few days in late September. This followed Azerbaijan's military action on 19 and 20 September, its complete control of the region and "the prolonged disruption of the movement of people and access to basic goods, services and energy faced by Karabakh Armenians as a result of Azerbaijan's nine-month blockade of the Lachin corridor." "They found themselves abandoned, without any credible guarantee of safety or protection from any party. For them, leaving their homes was the only possible option," the European Commissioner says in a statement.

During her visit to Armenia, the Commissioner visited shelters for IDPs from Karabakh and called on Council of Europe members to support the IDPs.

During her visit to Azerbaijan, the Commissioner held meetings with the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Hikmet Hajiyev, and others.

The Azerbaijani authorities informed the Commissioner about the measures taken by the state to reintegrate the Karabakh region and the people living there. "The Commissioner emphasised that Azerbaijan must guarantee the human rights of ethnic Armenians remaining in the region and those who left for Armenia, including the right to return to their homes in safety and dignity."

The Commissioner also visited the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. This was the first time in decades that such a human rights mission was able to visit the region, although it was limited due to security concerns related to the presence of mines. The Commissioner visited Fizuli, Shusha, Malibeyli village, Khankyandi, Khojaly and Aghdam. She was shocked to see the town of Khankiandi almost completely deserted after the departure of its population in September. She was told that only a very small number of ethnic Armenians remained in the area. She spoke to some of them.

In Fizuli and Aghdam, the Commissioner saw ruined towns and villages that had been left in ruins for decades. In Fizuli, the Commissioner visited a newly built residential neighbourhood where Azerbaijanis who had previously fled their lands returned a few days ago.

During her visit to Azerbaijan, the Commissioner met with displaced persons, landmine victims, witnesses and survivors of past human rights violations and their families, as well as family members of missing persons.

During the visit to both countries, the Commissioner heard reports of serious human rights violations related to the protracted conflict and could witness the profound suffering of civilians from outbreaks of fighting over the years.

The Commissioner discussed the humanitarian and human rights implications of the conflict in and around the Karabakh region, including as a result of the outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020, as well as recent developments following the blocking of the Lachin corridor and Azerbaijan's military operation.

She reiterated the importance of ensuring the human rights of all displaced persons, including their right to dignified and safe return; the right to protection from mines; the rights of captives to protection; the right to know the fate of the missing; the need for independent investigations into serious human rights violations; and the importance of providing adequate and reparations to victims.

She emphasised that now, more than ever, all parties must take decisive action to prevent and combat hate speech and support initiatives that promote coexistence and reconciliation.

The European Commissioner's recommendations will follow later, the statement said. -02D-