On the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia

B100131/2024

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia

(2024/2890(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the UN Charter, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration,

–having regard to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict,

–having regard to the 1972 World Heritage Convention,

–having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas since 1991, the relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been characterised by violent conflict and war; whereas on 19 September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive on the remaining parts of Nagorno-Karabakh not already under its control; whereas more than 100 000 Armenians were forced to flee their home territory;

B.whereas Azerbaijan still occupies between 50 and 215 square kilometres of internationally recognised Armenian territory;

C.whereas the region of Nagorno-Karabakh has approximately 500 cultural sites with around 6 000 relics of Armenian heritage; whereas between November 2020 and September 2023, many Armenian Christian heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh were destroyed, damaged or closed to the public; whereas Armenia’s cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh is endangered; whereas the International Court of Justice indicated in its Order of 7 December 2021 that Azerbaijan must take all necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and desecration of Armenian cultural heritage;

1.Notes that in September 2024 Azerbaijan refused to sign a framework peace treaty; encourages both parties to continue their peace talks, to remain committed to a lasting and peaceful settlement, through dialogue, of all long-standing issues, and to refrain from aggressive statements and unrealistic demands; considers that all long-standing issues should be dealt with in the peace treaty;

2.Condemns all cases of destruction, vandalism and desecration of cultural sites in Nagorno-Karabakh; calls on Azerbaijan to allow foreign observers to monitor Nagorno-Karabakh’s cultural sites;

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Armenia, the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.