UN hearings against Azerbaijan

Armenia has filed a lawsuit against Azerbaijan in the UN International Court of Justice.

At the hearings on October 14-15, Armenia accused the Azerbaijani government of pursuing a policy of ethnic discrimination against Armenians.

Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of the same charges, saying that "ethnic cleansing" was carried out against Azerbaijanis.

On September 16, Armenia filed a complaint with the United Nations International Court of Justice accusing Azerbaijan of violating six articles of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. "Azerbaijan has been subjecting Armenians to racial prejudice for decades," the plaintiff claims. “The Armenians were exposed to institutional discrimination, massacres, torture, and other forms of humiliation during this time."

Azerbaijan has filed a suit with the Hague Court, stating that it will "resolutely defend itself."

Lawyer Yeghishe Kirakosyan represents Armenia at the United Nations International Court of Justice. He also serves as Armenia's representative at the European Court of Human Rights. The country's interests will be safeguarded by a group of international specialists. They have already presented the major provisions of the urgent action required to the Hague Court.

The case, according to Armenian lawyers, provides significant proof of abuse and humiliation of Armenian inmates in Azerbaijan.

Sean Murphy, one of the expert group's members, stressed that the Armenian side gave the court information concerning 45 detainees, the content of which Azerbaijan confirms, as well as a complete proof base about those whose imprisonment is not acknowledged. He noted that Azerbaijani special forces detained Armenian soldiers near the villages of Khin Tager and Khtsaberd in December last year, despite the fact that "the Armenian side had no duty to leave these two villages," according to a trilateral statement.

Azerbaijan is demolishing Armenian cultural and religious monuments, according to lawyers defending Armenian interests.

Although President Aliyev declared in September from the UN General Assembly podium that Azerbaijan is a country of tolerance and peaceful coexistence for different peoples, the facts show the opposite: "These facts show the real face of the ruling regime in Azerbaijan, a policy full of hatred, which is contrary to the convention."

Another expert panel member, Constantinos Salonidis, stated that anti-Armenian propaganda is carried out at the highest level and continues after the conflict. To be convinced of this, he claims, one only needs to listen to President Aliyev's speeches.

According to Yeghishe Kirakosyan, who represents Armenia at the International Court of Justice, the group of lawyers presented the country's case in the best possible light - with solid facts, arguments, and a solid evidentiary base.

"We believe all of our demands are valid and expect a fair conclusion," Yeghishe Kirakosyan stated.

Azerbaijan presented its counterarguments in accordance with the court hearing procedure. Peter Goldsmith, a representative from Azerbaijan, stated that Armenia's demands should be refused since "Azerbaijan has fulfilled its commitments under the trilateral statement." Goldsmith also claimed that the several dozen Armenians remaining in Azerbaijani captivity are guilty of “grave crimes.”

Elnur Mammadov, the Azerbaijani representative in this case, refuted claims of racial prejudice, claiming that the Armenian side's arguments are erroneous.

Lawyers expect a ruling from the Hague court on the application of an urgent measure on Armenia's petition in less than a month. The primary claim will be considered at a later time.

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