U.S. unable to protect vulnerable communities facing existential  threats - Mher Margaryan

ArmInfo. Below is a statement by Ambassador Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of  Armenia to the United Nations, on the Report of the Secretary- General on the work of the Organization

Mr. President,

We thank the Secretary-General for presenting the Report on the Work  of the Organization and highlighting the priorities for 2024.

Armenia notes the reflections on the diverse and evolving threats and  challenges affecting the maintenance of international peace,  development, and human rights, as well as on the ability of the  United Nations to respond to the multitude of issues it has been  facing.  As ever, the resilience and efficiency of the Organization  continue to be put to the test, in particular, in situations of  conflict and crises. Timely and coherent actions to mobilize and  deliver adequate humanitarian response to the people in need remain a  major challenge, as do the mechanisms for conflict prevention and  resolution.

While acknowledging the remarkable service and the contribution of  the UN personnel in protecting human life, human rights and dignity  in various parts of the world, we are compelled to note with deep  concern that, time and again, the Organization has not been able to  deliver protection to vulnerable communities facing existential  threats.

The blockade and starvation of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh,  with the barbaric siege of its only transportation lifeline, which  started in December 2022, and culminated in September 2023 with the  use of deadly military action against innocent civilian population is  one explicit example of pre-meditated ethnic cleansing, which was  gradually perpetrated under the watch of international community. It  has resulted in widespread forced displacement of the entire ethnic  Armenian population, immense sufferings caused to the civilians, and,  indeed, a most brazen and blatant violation of international law -  including the very Charter of this Organization.

Despite a multitude of clearly detectable early warning signs and  calls for intervention, the United Nations fell short of addressing  the egregious violations committed in Nagorno-Karabakh. Not only does  this failure constitute a breach of the fundamental principles, upon  which this very Organization was established, but it also signifies,  in no uncertain terms, a major departure from the internationally  endorsed commitment of the Responsibility to Protect populations from  atrocity crimes, including genocides and ethnic cleansings.  As we  address the annual report of the UN Secretary-General, we trust that,  moving forward, the Organization will acknowledge the gravity of  these violations and reflect on the failure to prevent them.

Mr. President,

The Report refers to the promotion of justice and settlement of  disputes, notably, through the work of the International Court of  Justice and its rulings, including through the indication of  provisional measures. It should be recalled that, in the period from  2021 to 2023, the International Court of Justice issued eight  provisional measures against Azerbaijan, including the legally  binding obligation to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles  and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions, as well as  the obligation to ensure that persons who have been forced out of  Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 are able to return in a safe  and unimpeded manner.

Compliance with the decisions of the ICJ is fundamental in ensuring  that justice can be served and that breaches of international law can  be essentially prevented in the future, whereas failure to do so only  serves the interests of those who seek to undermine the viability of  international law and to challenge the integrity and credibility of  the international legal system. The United Nations, through its  respective actions and mandates, has a distinct responsibility to  ensure that the rule of law prevails over violence and aggression,  and that justice and accountability remain essential in guiding the  work of the Organization.

Armenia is committed to promoting accountability and fighting  impunity, as demonstrated by our recent accession to the Rome Statute  of the International Criminal Court, effective since 1 February 2024.

As ever, Armenia remains steadfast in supporting efforts for  strengthening the efficiency of the Organization, its resilience and  integrity in the face of the current and evolving challenges.

I thank you.