PACE adopted the resolution and consultations on “Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor” a while ago by voting. Ruben Rubinyan, head of the RA NA delegation to the PACE, informs about this.
“The delegation of Azerbaijan did everything to change the resolution or to defeat its adoption, but nothing was achieved. About 60 amendments they proposed were rejected, and the solution was adopted. Contrary to Azerbaijan’s claims, the PACE resolution clearly states that there is no free and safe movement through the Lachin Corridor.
The resolution mainly addresses the humanitarian and human rights consequences of Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor, emphasizes the need for an urgent mission of international fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor, and Nagorno-Karabakh calls on Azerbaijan to immediately implement the decisions of the ECHR and the International Court of Justice, calls on Azerbaijan to restore electricity and gas supply to Nagorno Karabakh.
Azerbaijan is also addressed to abandon the hostile and threatening rhetoric against Armenians. The resolution, among other points, states explicitly:
– The Assembly is highly concerned about interrupting free and safe movement through the Lachine Corridor and the subsequent deliberate shutdown of electricity and gas supplies.
– The Assembly is shocked that the leadership of Azerbaijan does not accept the severe humanitarian and human rights consequences arising from the current situation.
– The Assembly profoundly regrets that the PACE reporter was not invited to Azerbaijan during his fact-finding visit and could not go to the Lachin Corridor.
– The Assembly emphasizes that the current situation is unstable and may lead to the Armenian population being forced to leave their homes and communities if the conflict is not resolved. In this context
– The Assembly calls to urgently address the rights and security issues of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh through dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, as well as to ensure neutral international involvement for the use of any mechanism aimed at peace.
– The Assembly calls Azerbaijan to fulfill the 2022 deadline without further extension. ECHR interim measures were applied on December 21.
– The Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to urgently implement the International Court of Justice decision.
– The Assembly calls Azerbaijan to invite the Council of Europe delegation to visit the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh on a fact-finding mission to assess the situation. The Assembly also calls for Azerbaijan to allow other international organizations, including UN institutions, to enter the region.
– The Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to show a truly constructive and peaceful approach towards neighboring Armenia and the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.
– PACE calls on Azerbaijan to make all efforts for free and safe movement in both directions through the Lachin Corridor.
– PACE calls on Azerbaijan to immediately restore the electricity and gas supply and agree with the Armenians on a new route for collecting gas and power grids passing through Armenian, not Azerbaijani, territory.
The Assembly is deeply concerned about the hostile and threatening rhetoric against Armenians at the highest levels of Azerbaijan’s leadership and urges Azerbaijan to desist from such rhetoric and take steps to combat both hate speech, including by the public and high-ranking officials, and hate crimes.” :
