Mher Margaryan: We still need to see a substantial action on the part  of the UN related to the precarious humanitarian situation in  Nagorno-Karabakh

ArmInfo. We still need to see a substantial action on the part of the UN related to the  precarious humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.  Permanent  Representative of Armenia to the UN Mher Margaryan stated this at the  plenary session of the UN General Assembly chaired by UN Secretary  General Antonio Guterres.

As the official website of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of  Armenia to the UN reports, Mher Margaryan  in his speech stated in  part: "Mr. President, We thank the Secretary-General for presenting  the Report on the Work of the Organization and highlighting his  priorities for 2023.  We highly value Secretary-General's leadership  in promoting and protecting human rights, achieving gender equality,  full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all spheres of  public life and eradication of violence against all women and girls. 

Human rights underpin the activities of the UN system in all fields,  ranging from international peace and security, development, climate,  cyberspace to humanitarian action. It is essential to prioritize the  human rights and fundamental freedoms, countering discrimination,  xenophobia and hate, while addressing the root causes of conflicts  and crises, protecting people in vulnerable situations and promoting  just, peaceful and inclusive societies. We support the transformative  measures outlined in the report of the Secretary-General on "Our  Common Agenda", related to advancing human rights, promoting gender  parity and unlocking the potential of young people.

I reaffirm Armenia's support to the Secretary-General in  strengthening the efficiency of the Organization and its adaptability  to the evolving challenges and new emergencies.

I want to focus on three chapters of the report - the Maintenance of  Int'l Peace and security, Promotion and protection of Human rights  and Promotion of Justice and Int'l Law.  Indeed, the peace and  security architecture is under enormous strain as exemplified in the  SG's report, and the converging threats are having devastating  consequences also in our part of Eastern Europe, in the South  Caucasus.

The ongoing major crisis in the middle of Europe has largely  undermined the regional security and created incentives for certain  countries to instrumentalize the challenges and complexities of the  present-day international politics to use force and instigate  violence.  While we note with certain degree of appreciation that the  United Nations deployed a range of tools to prevent, mitigate, and  resolve conflicts and protect civilians in various parts of the  world, we still need to see a substantial action on the part of the  UN related to the precarious humanitarian situation in  Nagorno-Karabakh.

We have  alerted the UN, that emboldened by the results of the use of  force in the past, a particular member of international community,  Azerbaijan now seeks to normalize violence and aggression to impose  unilateral solutions and conduct the policy of ethnic cleansing of  the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.  The latest such example  is the ongoing blockade of the only supply route in and out of  Nagorno-Karabakh - in grave violation of the existing obligations.  

The inhumane siege of an entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh now  has been going on for almost two months, the aggressor country plots  further use of force to advance its claims on the territory of  Armenia.  Several international institutions, member states,  international human rights organizations and publications have  alerted on the risks of dangerous escalation and atrocity crimes in  Nagorno-Karabakh. However, the United Nations is yet to respond to  the gravity of the situation on the ground. The aggressor country  even exploits the artificial both-siding to justify its criminal  actions by referring to the statements of the Secretariat that the UN  "is not in a position to verify or confirm various claims and  allegations".  The credibility and reputation of the United Nations  is at stake, when, despite its global outreach, vast human and  financial resources, extensive toolbox it is not in a position to  verify an imminent humanitarian crisis and identify the risks of  massive violence and atrocity crimes.  Secretary-General, As  reflected in your report, last year the converging threats shaping  the peace and security environment, in which the UN operates have  challenged the ability of the Organization to respond to threats,  prevent, manage and mitigate conflicts and succeed as peacemaker.    The global challenges necessitate efficient, timely and coherent  action by the United Nations system to mobilize the capacities of the  international community and coordinate the collective efforts to  reach the most vulnerable in every corner of the world.  We believe  in the value and role of a strong and responsible multilateralism,  with the United Nations at its core, for the security and well-being  of small nations. We are confident that the integrity and  independence of the UN bodies and entities will prevail and their  ability to deliver for the benefit of peace, security, justice, rule  of law and human rights should be materialized in our part of the  world as well.  I thank you."