Nalbandyan: Baku keeps violating the tripartite agreements on cease fire

ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Minister  Edward Nalbandyan appreciated   the fact that in his annual report on  the "State of Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law" the  Secretary General has highlighted populism, which is particularly  dangerous, when combined with state sponsored hate speech and  xenophobia. Free media, education for democratic citizenship and  human rights, active civil society are essential in overcoming this  phenomenon. Moreover, the notion of "rule of law" represents a  concept that is diametrically opposed to "the rule by force" or "use  of force".

"We already had an opportunity to share another view of the Secretary  General on the concept of "Democratic Security", according to which  democracies are less likely to go to war. Obviously, authoritarian  regimes do not face this dilemma," Nalbandyan said. 

Armenian Foreign entity head recalled that such  a case was witnessed  during new large-scale offensive in April 2016, when Azerbaijan  committed gross violations of international humanitarian and human  rights law against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Two Summits were convened after the April aggression of Azerbaijan,  where agreements were reached aimed at creating conducive conditions  for advancement of the peace process. Baku refuses to implement these  agreements although their importance has been highlighted on numerous  occasions, including during April 28 trilateral meeting of ministers  of foreign affairs of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moreover, Baku  continues the gross violations of the trilateral cease-fire  agreements in defiance to the consistent calls of the Co-Chair  countries and the international community. 

Armenian Foreign Minister stated also that Armenia values the recent  initiatives that call on the equal application of the pan-European  human rights instruments to the whole continent without distinction,  including in the conflict zones. It is the primary goal of Council of  Europe to ensure that the common values and individual rights  guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights are not  dependent on the status of the territory where people live.

Talking about the the Cyprus Chairmanship, Nalbandyan mentioned that  priorities were well placed to address the current challenges that  the Europe faces.

Protection of cultural heritage in particular is important for the  Armenian people that have suffered immense losses of cultural legacy  throughout its history and most recently in Azerbaijan by the hands  of its government and in Syria by the terrorist groups. In this  regard we welcome the adoption of the Convention on Offences relating  to Cultural Property.

Another focus of the Chairmanship on Democracy through Education is  an important dimension of fostering inclusive and tolerant societies.  The right of people to their memory, their right to teaching and  learning history of past tragedies through education and remembrance  has a pivotal role in preventing genocides and crimes against  humanity.