Arminfo.info


 Tuesday, October 25 2022 12:01
Marianna Mkrtchyan

IAGS calls on Azerbaijan to withdraw troops from Armenia`s sovereign  territory and respect Artsakh Armenians` right to self-determination 

IAGS calls on Azerbaijan to withdraw troops from Armenia`s sovereign  territory and respect Artsakh Armenians` right to self-determination 

ArmInfo.Belows is the International Association of Genocide Scholars Executive Board (IAGS) Statement on Azerbaijani Aggression Against the Republic of Armenia  and the Indigenous Armenians of the South Caucasus. 

The statement reads: 

"The International Association of Genocide Scholars Executive Board  strongly condemns Azerbaijan's invasion of the Republic of Armenia  and the ongoing aggression against the Armenian people in the  Republic and in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and expresses concern  about the risk of genocide against the Armenian population of that  entity. 

"On 13 September 2022, Azerbaijan launched an attack on the sovereign  territory of the Republic of Armenia. Using heavy artillery as well  as multiple rocket launchers and attack drones, the Azerbaijani  forces shelled the cities and towns of Vardenis, Goris, Ishkanasar,  Kapan, Sotk, Artanish, and Jermuk and the surrounding villages in the  Republic of Armenia. This attack resulted in over 210 confirmed  deaths of Armenian soldiers and numerous civilian deaths and  injuries. While a tenuous ceasefire still holds, Azerbaijan's  violence continues, including allegations of executions of Armenian  prisoners of war. Over 7,000 civilians have been displaced, and  civilian homes and local infrastructure destroyed in an attempt to  ethnically cleanse Armenians from a large portion of the Republic of  Armenia. 

"Significant genocide risk factors exist in the Nagorno-Karabakh  situation concerning the Armenian population. Noting in particular  that this violence occurs in the context of a prior genocide against  ethnic Armenians in 1915 - 1923 by the Ottoman Empire (which became  Turkey), and the continued relationship between Turkey and  Azerbaijan. In 1920, Turkey sought to disarm the Armenians and arm  the Azerbaijanis, resulting in conflict, Armenian exodus, and  atrocities against Armenians in an Azerbaijani offensive. 

"Turkey continues to support Azerbaijan in the NagornoKarabakh  conflict (including through the provision of drones and mercenaries).  Turkish President Erdogan has referred to the Armenians as  'occupiers', despite centuries of history of Urartians and their  descendents, the Armenians, in the region. The current violence is  part of a lengthy, related process of violence by the Azerbaijani  regime against the indigenous Armenian population of the South  Caucasus. There have been several armed conflicts between "Armenia  and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, in the  1980s-1990s, with the most recent beginning in September 2020 and  continuing into 2022, despite supposed ceasefires. The current  conflict has included the use of indiscriminate weapons, and civilian  deaths and displacement. Azerbaijani authorities have been openly  delivering hate speech against Armenians. Acts of incitement or hate  propaganda have targeted Armenians. 

"The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)  has specifically noted that the following acts are risk factors for  genocide: 'Systematic and widespread use and acceptance of speech or  propaganda promoting hatred and/or inciting violence against minority  groups, particularly in the media'; and 'Grave statements by  political leaders/prominent people that express support for  affirmation of superiority of a race or an ethnic group, dehumanize  and demonize minorities, or condone or justify violence against a  minority.' Azerbaijan's state policy includes anti-Armenian discourse  and propaganda, including through government speeches and the media. 

"For example, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has made statements  such as: 'Armenia as a country is of no value. It is actually a  colony, an outpost run from abroad, a territory artificially created  on ancient Azerbaijani lands.' Aliyev does not recognize the  internationally recognized territorial integrity of the Republic of  Armenia: 'We have perhaps a hundred times more grounds not to  recognize the territorial integrity of Armenia than they have not to  recognize our territorial integrity. Because everyone already knows  this, and so does the world community, that in November 1920 our  historical lands of Zangazur [Syunik], as well as Goycha [Sevan],  were severed from us and annexed to Armenia. The city of Yerevan was  ceded to Armenia on 29 May 1918. So, there are many factors for us,  as they say, not to recognize the territorial integrity of Armenia.'  Alyev also uses dehumanizing language, such as: 'We chased them out  of our lands like dogs. I said that we would chase them, that we  would chase them like dogs, and we chased them, we chased them like  dogs.' 

"Such statements indicate a systematic campaign to end the presence  of Armenians in their historic and present-day homeland. These and  other statements demonstrate the existence of a risk of genocide, and  may amount to incitement to genocide and possibly other international  crimes. There is also a history of cultural destruction in the  conflict, leading to a significant fear from Armenians that after the  peace deal, which saw the return of Armenian-held land to Azerbaijan,  Armenian sites will be neglected, desecrated or destroyed.  Some  Armenian monuments and churches are hundreds of years old, such as  the Saint Nishan church, Dadivank monastery complex and khatchkars in  cemeteries, dating as far back as the 9th Century and earlier. It is  common for Azerbaijan to present 'alternative' histories for Armenian  churches, claiming they are 'Caucasian Albanian' and were  'Armenianised' only in the 19th Century. 

"Such claims have all been debunked outside of Azerbaijan. Rewriting  of history and cultural destruction are key hallmarks of genocide.  The goal of g‚nocidaires is to destroy, in whole or in part, the  targeted group, and one way the perpetrators carry out this  destruction is through cultural destruction: eliminating the very  essence of the group's identity, and any trace that they existed in  that location. 

"The Executive Board notes that the International Court of Justice  (ICJ) has recognised the seriousness of the hate speech and cultural  destruction by Azerbaijan towards Armenians and Armenian culture. In  its Provisional Measures order of 7 December 2021, the ICJ considered  Armenia's claims of violations of the Convention on the Elimination  of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) plausible, and expressed  concern that such violations 'may have serious damaging effects' on  the protected group. 

"In the interim before deciding on the merits of the case, the ICJ  has ordered Azerbaijan, inter alia, to: 'take all necessary measures  to prevent the incitement and promotion of racial hatred and  discrimination, including by its officials and public institutions,  targeted at persons of Armenian national or ethnic origin; and take  all necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and  discretion affecting Armenian cultural heritage, including but not  limited to churches and other places of workship, monuments,  landmarks, cemeteries and artefacts.' 

"Attacks on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia also  likely amount to a violation of the United Nations Charter, and  breach the Helsinki Final Act and the ceasefire agreement signed by  Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on 9 November 2020, ending the 44-Day  Second Karabakh War (27 September 2020 - 10 November 2020). 

"In order to remove the risk of genocide, the International  Association of Genocide Scholars Executive Board calls upon: 

" The international community and academic and cultural  organizations to condemn violence and hate speech by Azerbaijan  against Armenia and take all necessary measures to compel Azerbaijan  to cease hostilities and hate speech against the Republic of Armenia  and the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh. 

" Azerbaijan to comply with the International Court of Justice  Provisional Measures order of 7 December 2021. 

" Azerbaijan to remove its soldiers from the territory of the  Armenian Republic and to respect the right of self-determination of  the Armenians of Artsakh as guaranteed under the United Nations  Charter (Chapter I, Article 2). 

" The international community to hold the authoritarian regime of  Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accountable for the crime of  aggression (crimes against peace), war crimes and crimes against  humanity perpetrated against Armenia and Armenians since September  2020."  

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Artur Sargsyan stripped of his parliamentary immunityArtur Sargsyan stripped of his parliamentary immunity
Political scientist: Pashinyan`s government acknowledges that it is  impossible to simultaneously oppose two non-agreement-capable  opposition centersPolitical scientist: Pashinyan`s government acknowledges that it is  impossible to simultaneously oppose two non-agreement-capable  opposition centers
World Council of Churches expresses deep concern regarding recent  developments involving the Armenian Apostolic ChurchWorld Council of Churches expresses deep concern regarding recent  developments involving the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Deputy FM participates in the Special Session of the  Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the Review of the  Draft Amendments on the Crime of AggressionArmenian Deputy FM participates in the Special Session of the  Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the Review of the  Draft Amendments on the Crime of Aggression
Armenian Ombudsperson signals a violation of lawyers` right to access  their clients in the preliminary investigation bodyArmenian Ombudsperson signals a violation of lawyers` right to access  their clients in the preliminary investigation body
 RA Prime Minister visits Kotayk branch of  SOS Children`s Villages RA Prime Minister visits Kotayk branch of SOS Children`s Villages
Jerusalem`s Armenian Quarter  most targeted by anti- Christian  incidents in Israel - ReportJerusalem`s Armenian Quarter  most targeted by anti- Christian  incidents in Israel - Report
Narek Karapetyan: Authorities want to start a pre-planned process  against Tashir GroupNarek Karapetyan: Authorities want to start a pre-planned process  against Tashir Group
Armenia officially joins UN Countering Terrorism Travel Program Armenia officially joins UN Countering Terrorism Travel Program 
Vice Speaker: The government must respond to threats, otherwise it  will lead to chaosVice Speaker: The government must respond to threats, otherwise it  will lead to chaos
No detainees from among ENA staff members - acting CEONo detainees from among ENA staff members - acting CEO
War in Armenia - politician War in Armenia - politician 
Armenian law-enfrocers publicly ordered to attack AAC - lawyerArmenian law-enfrocers publicly ordered to attack AAC - lawyer
Swiss MPs to present peace initiative on return to Artsakh in  Washington Swiss MPs to present peace initiative on return to Artsakh in  Washington 
RA Human Rights Defender condemns squabble in NA RA Human Rights Defender condemns squabble in NA 
Russian-Armenian businessman files slander claims against Armenian  premier, deputy head of RA premier`s staff Russian-Armenian businessman files slander claims against Armenian  premier, deputy head of RA premier`s staff 
Everyone expected this - Narek Karapetyan Everyone expected this - Narek Karapetyan 
Armenia`s Investigative Committee investigating major embezzlement  cases Armenia`s Investigative Committee investigating major embezzlement  cases 
ENA Board chairman brought to ENA head office ENA Board chairman brought to ENA head office 
Tensions in Armenia`s parliamentTensions in Armenia`s parliament
AraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshopAraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshop
Ruling force`s action illegal - Arman TatoyanRuling force`s action illegal - Arman Tatoyan
Law enforcement officers do not explain the reasons for not allowing  ENA employees to their workplacesLaw enforcement officers do not explain the reasons for not allowing  ENA employees to their workplaces
Some Armenian clergymen have nothing in common with Jesus Christ`s  teaching - premierSome Armenian clergymen have nothing in common with Jesus Christ`s  teaching - premier
Law-enforcers raiding home of Russian-Armenian businessman`s nephew Law-enforcers raiding home of Russian-Armenian businessman`s nephew 
Arsen Nazaryan from Artsakh winner of Hot Heart prize Arsen Nazaryan from Artsakh winner of Hot Heart prize 
Lawyer: Lawyer: "Chief Investigator" "instructed" to search the place where  we, as Christians, enter with reverence
Lawyer: Any new action by security forces at the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin will be considered a Lawyer: Any new action by security forces at the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin will be considered a "deliberate encroachment"
Seyran Ohanyan stripped of his parliamentary immunitySeyran Ohanyan stripped of his parliamentary immunity
Armenian wrestlers return with medals from  European Freestyle  Wrestling Championship  in ItalyArmenian wrestlers return with medals from  European Freestyle  Wrestling Championship  in Italy
NA ruling faction members approved Prosecutor General`s motion to  prosecute Artsvik MinasyanNA ruling faction members approved Prosecutor General`s motion to  prosecute Artsvik Minasyan
Foreign Minister: Armenia has decided to enlarge, increase its  participation in the SCOForeign Minister: Armenia has decided to enlarge, increase its  participation in the SCO
Moody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratingsMoody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratings
RA Investigative Committee  press secretary responds to Galstanyan`s  lawyer`s statement  that  published recording was falsified and taken  out of contextRA Investigative Committee  press secretary responds to Galstanyan`s  lawyer`s statement  that  published recording was falsified and taken  out of context
RA National Security Council Secretary receives Ambassador of SwedenRA National Security Council Secretary receives Ambassador of Sweden
Saakashvili: Pashinyan has officially taken a course on EU membershipSaakashvili: Pashinyan has officially taken a course on EU membership
Swedish Ambassador concludes his mission in ArmeniaSwedish Ambassador concludes his mission in Armenia
Prosecutor General asks for criminal prosecution against a member of  Armenia`s National AssemblyProsecutor General asks for criminal prosecution against a member of  Armenia`s National Assembly
Geghard Foundation: Any state that  supports Aliyev`s rhetoric  complicit with Azerbaijan in the event of future aggression in the  regionGeghard Foundation: Any state that  supports Aliyev`s rhetoric  complicit with Azerbaijan in the event of future aggression in the  region
Kremlin: Moscow and Baku should remain partners and alliesKremlin: Moscow and Baku should remain partners and allies
Ruling elite focuses efforts on internal policy, ignoring external  challenges - opposition MPRuling elite focuses efforts on internal policy, ignoring external  challenges - opposition MP
Official unveiling ceremony of Charles Aznavour`s monument to take  place in Yerevan on July 18Official unveiling ceremony of Charles Aznavour`s monument to take  place in Yerevan on July 18
Preliminary investigation into riots in Syunik completed Preliminary investigation into riots in Syunik completed 
 Armenia`s Ministry of Environment proposes introducing institute of  extended producer responsibility for producers  Armenia`s Ministry of Environment proposes introducing institute of  extended producer responsibility for producers 
Caucasus has no patience to experience one more conflict - Recep  Erdogan Caucasus has no patience to experience one more conflict - Recep  Erdogan 
Armenian premier`s statement order to Prosecutor`s Office - lawyers Armenian premier`s statement order to Prosecutor`s Office - lawyers 
`Terrorism` case means of pressing `unwelcome ones` - lawyer `Terrorism` case means of pressing `unwelcome ones` - lawyer 
Yerevan must meet growing demand for sports competitions - mayor Yerevan must meet growing demand for sports competitions - mayor 
Isolation of clergymen and businessman shows bankruptcy and fears of  ruling regime - expertIsolation of clergymen and businessman shows bankruptcy and fears of  ruling regime - expert
Digital broadcasting to be suspended in Armenia Digital broadcasting to be suspended in Armenia 
Muster of reservists to take place in Armenia Sept 23 to Nov 28Muster of reservists to take place in Armenia Sept 23 to Nov 28
Armenian MP proposes using `political persecution` in place of  `prosecution`Armenian MP proposes using `political persecution` in place of  `prosecution`
Political scientist Karen Igityan prohibited from entering ArmeniaPolitical scientist Karen Igityan prohibited from entering Armenia
Armenia`s premier addresses message concerning Catholicos Garegin II Armenia`s premier addresses message concerning Catholicos Garegin II 
Armenia`s territory cannot be used by third countries for military  operations - RA MFA Armenia`s territory cannot be used by third countries for military  operations - RA MFA 
Armenian MFA summons Russian Ambassador over “hostile propaganda” against it Armenian MFA summons Russian Ambassador over “hostile propaganda” against it
Archbishops Mikael Ajapakhian and Bagrat Galstanian, currently in NSS  detention center, go on hunger strikeArchbishops Mikael Ajapakhian and Bagrat Galstanian, currently in NSS  detention center, go on hunger strike
Holy Etchmiadzin issued statement expressing indignation at   reprehensible campaign unleashed by Holy Etchmiadzin issued statement expressing indignation at   reprehensible campaign unleashed by 
Under  hashtag #MERDZEVOV, march in support of political prisoner,  well-known businessman and entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan starting on  the central boulevard of YerevanUnder  hashtag #MERDZEVOV, march in support of political prisoner,  well-known businessman and entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan starting on  the central boulevard of Yerevan
A march in support of Samvel Karapetyan started in YerevanA march in support of Samvel Karapetyan started in Yerevan
Read more



Commented