Azerbaijani Experts Criticize PACE Resolution on Karabakh

Baku/13.10.23/Turan:   Azerbaijani experts have raised strong objections to a recent resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) regarding the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The resolution, among various demands, calls for the release of all captive Armenians and has sparked controversy in Azerbaijan.

In the resolution, the Assembly stated that the mass exodus of nearly the entire Armenian population from the region has led to "accusations and reasonable suspicions that this may amount to ethnic cleansing." PACE called on Azerbaijani authorities to "spare no effort to prove in practice that this is not the case."

Failure to comply with the PACE resolution could potentially lead to Azerbaijan being deprived of the right to participate in the 2024 session.

Farhad Mammadov, the head of the South Caucasus Research Center, expressed his criticism of the resolution, believing it complicates the situation for the Armenians of Karabakh and accelerates the region's demilitarization. Mammadov stated on social media, "PACE, the European Parliament, and other international structures— if there are no proven facts in the resolutions, then these documents are air for Baku! Azerbaijan will not listen to one-sided resolutions."

Mammadov suggested that Baku might have considered PACE's stance if the resolution had addressed the presence of Armenian Armed Forces in Karabakh, the inhumane functioning of the Lachin road for two years, and the transportation of weapons and individuals hostile to Azerbaijan along it. However, such facts were not reflected in the PACE resolution.

Rasim Musabekov, a deputy in the Milli Majlis, shared his perspective on Facebook, encouraging Azerbaijan not to overly dramatize the challenging situation. He stressed the importance of a concentrated and timely response from Azerbaijani diplomats, politicians, journalists, and public figures. Musabekov invoked the words of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meyer, who, in response to international criticism of Israel's actions in self-defense and pursuit of national interests, stated that "it is better to receive protest notes than telegrams of condolences and sympathy."

It is worth noting that in previous years, PACE adopted resolutions critical of Armenia, demanding the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territories and the prevention of a humanitarian catastrophe in the region. However, Armenia did not respond to these international appeals and did not comply with PACE's requirements.

Additionally, it's important to highlight that the resolution uses the toponym "Nagorno-Karabakh," a term not recognized in Azerbaijan, further contributing to the controversy. The document opens with PACE's condemnation of "Azerbaijan's military actions against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, 2023."

The PACE resolution has ignited a debate in Azerbaijan, reflecting the complex and contentious issues surrounding Karabakh and the differing perspectives on the conflict.--0--