UN Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide concerned over recent  military escalation by Azerbaijan

ArmInfo. Below is a statement by Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the  Prevention of Genocide, on the situation in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Special Adviser of the Secretary- General on the Prevention of  Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, expressed her alarm over the recent  military escalation by Azerbaijan, noted the reported ceasefire  announced on 20 September and emphasized the importance of preventing  further violence and of ensuring a durable peace in the region that  protects the rights of all people.

"Military action can only contribute to escalate what is already a  tense situation and to put the civilian population in the area at  risk of violence, including risk of genocide and related atrocity  crimes. All efforts need to be made to prevent violence and sustain  peace," the Special Adviser stressed.

Special Adviser Wairimu Nderitu reiterated her call for dialogue and  peace, and the call to avoid any escalation of tension, made during  her briefing to the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council on 4  July this year, and emphasized the impact of violence on innocent and  vulnerable civilians. "Previous instances of military escalation in  the region have had significant negative impact on civilian  populations; and there have also been reports of civilian casualties  from the recent escalation. The region has further seen frequent  reports of hate and divisive narratives being used, fuelling tension.  Violence and hatred reinforce each other. We must stop this vicious  cycle and work to build a future in which hatred and division are no  longer present. I urge all parties to promote constructive dialogue  and negotiations in full respect of international humanitarian and  human rights law."

The Special Adviser also expressed concern that these developments  are happening despite the recent progress in ensuring humanitarian  assistance to the area, including through the Lachin corridor. The  Special Adviser recalled the 22 February 2023 Order of the  International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was reaffirmed by the  Court on 6 July 2023, indicating provisional measures in the case  concerning the Application of the International Convention on the  Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v  Azerbaijan). She also echoed calls made by the United Nations  Secretary-General on 24 February and 3 August 2023, noting that  decisions of the ICJ are binding on the Parties. The Special Adviser  expressed the importance that they be fully implemented, including  the Order to take all measures to ensure unimpeded movement of  persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both  directions. This message she had previously reiterated, including at  the 28 April 2023 event organized by the Permanent Mission of Armenia  to the United Nations on 'Prevention of Atrocity Crimes in the  Digital Era'.

"The fact that some humanitarian assistance has been able to reach  the population in the area  constitutes a positive step which needs  to be continued, in line with international humanitarian law. This  was an important step forward which requires building upon. All  people deserve to live a life free from hatred, insecurity, hunger,  and conflict."