France will push for a UN Security Council resolution on creating conditions for the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said in her speech in the French Senate on October 11.
She stressed the importance of strong guarantees and respect for “historical and cultural rights” of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians. According to the minister, Artsakh also needs a “permanent international presence,” which is the goal of all French efforts.
“Everyone understands the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East, but we also need to monitor the situation in the South Caucasus, in particular in Armenia. Azerbaijan planned and organized the exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. This is an extremely serious crime and a crime that cannot go unanswered,” Colonna said.
According to her, concessions in terms of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia are unacceptable.
To note, France has already initiated meetings in the UN Security Council twice this year to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
On 11 October in Geneva at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh was also discussed. As a result, a joint statement was adopted regarding the severe humanitarian crisis, as well as the human rights crisis in Artsakh. The text of the resolution was published on the UN website.
The document was signed by more than 35 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, USA, Uruguay, Finland, France, Croatia, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan.
“This massive displacement of ethnic Armenians from their homes stems from Azerbaijan’s military operation launched on September 19th and a nine-month long blockage of the Lachin corridor leading to dire humanitarian conditions,” the resolution says.
The document also notes that “reports of violations of human rights or international humanitarian law require follow-up, including a prompt, independent and transparent investigation.”
The resolution calls on Azerbaijan to ensure the rights and safety of the Armenians remaining in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as to ensure the return of those who fled. The protection of cultural and religious heritage must also be ensured.
The document also makes reference to the interim measures adopted by the European Court of Human Rights on 22 September and the interim measures of the International Court of Justice adopted on 7 December 2021, 22 February 2023 and 6 July 2023.
“International access to Nagorno-Karabakh is crucial to provide assistance and independent monitoring, including to report on the human rights situation,” the resolution says.
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