ArmInfo.UN human rights experts took note of the agreement reached on November 9 on the cessation of hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and expressed the hope that this will lead to the establishment of a lasting peace in the region. This is stated in the experts, members of the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination, published on the website ohchr.
At the same time, UN experts expressed concern about the use of mercenaries in and around the conflict zone prior to the conclusion of an agreement, and expressed concern about the devastating consequences for the civilian population with little prospects of bringing them to justice.
It is also noted that during the period of hostilities, there were widespread reports that the government of Azerbaijan under aid to Turkey used Syrian militants to support their military operations in the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict zone, including on the front line.
"Apparently, the militants were guided primarily by personal gain, given the difficult economic situation in the Syrian Arab Republic," UN experts say. In the event of death, their relatives were reportedly promised monetary compensation and Turkish citizenship.
It is noted that the recruitment and transfer of mercenaries to the conflict zone by Turkey is contrary to all international conventions. "The alleged role of Turkey is even more troubling, given similar allegations considered earlier this year by the Working Group in relation to its role in recruiting, deploying and financing such fighters to participate in the conflict in Libya," the expert group said.
Experts also expressed concern about repeated reports of deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on settlements in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and beyond, which led to an increase in the number of civilian casualties, including children, as well as significant damage to civilian property. and infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.
"We urge the parties and their supporting states to immediately withdraw all mercenaries and actors related to them, and also not to resort to further recruitment, funding and deployment," said UN experts.