The Artsakh Public Council expressed outrage at the UN Secretary-General`s behavior

ArmInfo. The Public Council of the Republic of Artsakh expresses deep concern and outrage over the statements made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at COP17 in Armenia. While speaking about the rights of indigenous peoples, biodiversity conservation, and the responsibility of the international community, he failed to mention the forced displacement of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh and their right to return to their homeland.

"We condemn this silence, especially given that in September 2023, more than 100,000 Armenians of Artsakh were forced to flee their homeland as a result of Azerbaijan's military actions and the prolonged blockade that preceded them." "How can one speak of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in a country that has provided asylum to tens of thousands of people forcibly expelled from their homeland, while simultaneously ignoring their right to return?" the Artsakh Republic Public Council stated.

It is noted that the connection of Artsakh Armenians to their native land, culture, historical settlements, and natural heritage is inextricable, and forced displacement is not only a gross violation of human rights but also a threat to the preservation of this heritage.

In this vein, the statement recalls that on November 17, 2023, the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the safe, unimpeded, and speedy return of those who left Artsakh and wish to return.

"Peace cannot mean legitimizing the consequences of forced displacement." Peace cannot be built at the cost of ignoring the right of an entire people to live in their homeland.

The Public Council of the Republic of Artsakh calls on the UN Secretary-General to publicly reaffirm the right of the Armenians of Artsakh to safe, dignified, and voluntary return, facilitate the implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice, and ensure that the rights of the people of Artsakh are not ignored in international processes related to peace and environmental protection.

The rights of indigenous peoples cannot be protected selectively. We expect a clear public position and practical response from the UN Secretary-General," the Artsakh Public Council said in a statement.

It should be noted that on September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan, under the pretext of an "anti-terrorist operation," committed another act of aggression against Artsakh. As a result of the enemy aggression, hundreds of Artsakh residents were injured, and more than 200 were reported killed, including civilians. On September 20, Artsakh fell. Azerbaijan began the forcible subjugation of the NKR. In addition, late in the evening of September 20, it became known that Azerbaijan had deliberately fired on two vehicles of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, killing six people, including the deputy commander of the RMK. On September 22, the process of abolishing the Artsakh Defense Army began. During search operations from September 21 to 24, the NKR Ministry of Internal Affairs discovered the bodies of 105 Artsakh residents, including brutally murdered children and the elderly. Today, Artsakh is completely de-Armenianized, its entire indigenous population of over 120,000 people was forced to flee to Armenia under threat of physical violence. Since the enemy aggression that began in the fall of 2020, which in September 2023 culminated in the complete ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, over 150,000 Artsakh residents have become homeless.