On September 27, 2020, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan attacked the territory of the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR) in violation of the ceasefire treaty signed on May 12, 1994, between Armenia and the NKR, on one side, and Azerbaijan on the other.

On November 10, 2020, the war on the territory of NKR was suspended. The heads of states of Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the mediation of the Russian Federation, signed a statement dated 09.11.2020.

However, Azerbaijan violated the agreements contained in paragraph 1 of the statement signed on 09.11.2020, according to which the Parties were to remain in their current positions.  Azerbaijan has repeatedly forced Armenian military personnel to leave their positions in the Hadrut region, Vorotan (Kubatly) region, Kovsakan (Zangelan) region, with the aim to unleash the war again.

In December 2020, under the guise of a "demarcation of borders", Azerbaijan began the occupation of the sovereign territory of Armenia: it seized most of the Sotk field and occupied some parts of the following villages of Shurnukh, Shikaokh, Vorotan of Syunik region.

At the same time, Azerbaijan has located its posts in Armenia at heights overlooking the border villages of Syunik; armed Azerbaijani soldiers are in close proximity to civilians in border villages, including Shurnukh, Vorotan, Shikaokh, Khnatsakh, Khoznavar, Ditsmayri, Karahunj.  We believe that the unbearable living conditions are purposefully created for the residents of the border villages of Syunik in order to drive them out of this area.

The "demarcation" of borders in Syunik is carried out by Azerbaijan without following the norms of international law, as well as the legislation of Armenia.  Azerbaijan arbitrarily establishes borders in Syunik, choosing the most advantageous position for itself and referring to GPS data.

 On May 12, 2021, 150-200 Azerbaijani military personnel crossed the Armenian border near Lake Sev and began to move deep into the territory of Armenia (Syunik region, Gegharkunik region), with the goal to capture strategically important positions (roads, heights, reservoirs).

As it became known from the media, Azerbaijan again justifies its actions by the need to "clarify" the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, Azerbaijani authorities have no legal basis for such an invasion. The Armenian lands claimed by Azerbaijan have never belonged to the territory of Azerbaijan, which is confirmed by cartographic materials.

Azerbaijan claims that it sets the border according to the maps in its possession, but no maps have been presented to the public on both sides.  The population of Armenia has not been provided any information on the basis on which the borders are being established.  In fact, democratic values are being violated, the establishment of the borders of Armenia is taking place "in secret" from the Armenian people.

Azerbaijan forcibly "establishes" an international border with Armenia through the advancement of Azerbaijani troops, thereby violating the rights of the Armenian people to their ancestral lands and the territorial integrity of Armenia.

Considering that Azerbaijan’s actions will certainly provoke another bloodshed, we believe it is necessary to involve the international community in a legal resolution of the conflict situation created by Azerbaijan.

 

Addressing the members of the UN Security Council, international authorities and human rights organizations, we ask:

 - to give a legal assessment of the actions of Azerbaijan;

 - to condemn the aggression of Azerbaijan (the use of armed force by Azerbaijan against the territorial inviolability of Armenia);

 - to assist in the resolution of an interstate conflict by diplomatic means in compliance with the norms of international law, as well as the fundamental values and principles of democracy.

Tatevik Martirosyan