(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.1. Civil society
organizations have issued a statement on the blocking of
reintegration of Armenian residents of Karabakh region of
Azerbaijan by Armenia, trend reports.
"We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are issuing
this statement to draw the attention of the international community
to the artificial barriers exerted by the Armenian government and
remnants of illegal Regime in pursuit of their political
objectives.
As a multinational country, Azerbaijan promotes a setting where
Armenians and other ethnic minorities can live and work in peace
and with equal rights. All Azerbaijani people are accorded equal
human rights, according to the country's constitution, regardless
of their background in religion or ethnicity. In accordance with
its Constitution and laws, Azerbaijan will protect the rights and
safety of Armenian citizens in the Karabakh territory.
A number of officials in Armenia is engaged in political
manipulation and speculation on Lachin road issue which is
functional for medical evacuation. This claim is refuted as
entirely inaccurate.
First of all, the Lachin road is situated within the sovereign
territories of Azerbaijan. As an exercise of its sovereign right,
Azerbaijan established a checkpoint in Lachin on the state border,
which is used by Armenian residents in the Karabakh region of
Azerbaijan, International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and Russian
peacekeepers temporarily deployed in Azerbaijan. International
Court of Justice, while rejecting Armenia's request in its Order of
July 6, once again has confirmed that Azerbaijan's measure to
establish a checkpoint on the border is a sovereign and legitimate
decision.
The proposal by the Azerbaijani side to use Aghdam-Khankandi
road to meet the needs of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh
region of Azerbaijan was highly appreciated by the international
actors. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council
recently supported the usage of Aghdam-Khankandi road.
International Committee of Red Cross is ready to use the road which
is very accessible and convenient for humanitarian assistance.
Aghdam-Khankandi road is fully operational for delivering all kinds
of goods. But remnants of illegal regime take ordinary Armenians in
Karabakh as hostage and refuse to use this road.
The humanitarian crisis claims, and actions of Armenia and
remnants of illegal regime are merely a political display. The
Armenia hinders the reintegration process by preventing Armenians
in Karabakh from obtaining their daily needs through Azerbaijan
government.
It is essential for the international community to recognize
that Azerbaijan is not imposing a blockade; on the contrary, it is
offering assistance. However, provocations of remnants of illegal
regime means the denial of humanitarian aid.
It is Armenia who has imposed a blockade on the Nakhchivan
Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan for over 30 years. This blockade
prevents Nakhchivan from having a land connection with the rest of
Azerbaijan, blocks the movement of people and goods. The ongoing
blockade has significant repercussions for the population of
Nakhchivan, affecting their economic activities, access to
essential services, and freedom of movement within their own
country.
The Armenian leadership and remnants of illegal regime exert
pressure on the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region,
exploiting local inhabitants as hostage to further their political
objectives and prevent reintegration deliberately. For the purpose
of reintegration, Azerbaijan actively engages in contacts with
local Armenians. The special representative from Azerbaijan has
been appointed to this end. However, the Armenian side has blocked
the progress and refused to come to Baku to continue the contacts
by putting irrelevant preconditions after the first meeting.
Azerbaijan has implemented successful projects involving
qualified companies to address problems with water supply,
transportation, and power supply in Karabakh. Following the War in
2020, Azerbaijan constructed a new, modern Lachin road used by
local Armenians as well. The reintegration of Armenians living in
Karabakh into Azerbaijan would further enhance their living
standards.
It should be noted that Azerbaijanis were expelled from the
territories of Azerbaijan where Russian peacekeepers are temporary
deployed, such as Khojali, Khankandi, villages of Shusha, etc,
thirty years ago. The return of Azerbaijani former internally
displaced persons to Karabakh is clearly stipulated in Article 7 of
the trilateral statement of 10 November 2020, which is frequently
cited by Armenians. Azerbaijan will ensure the peaceful, dignified,
and safe return of its former IDPs to their homeland and residence
places.
We urge the Armenian government to cease their provocations, as
they obstruct the reintegration of Armenian residents of Karabakh
into Azerbaijan and pose a significant barrier to achieving peace
and security in the region.
We appeal to international organizations to observe the
realities on the ground, respond appropriately, and advocate for
the process of reintegration of Armenians of Karabakh into
Azerbaijan," reads the statement.
Signatures:
Erlina Burhan, Indonesia Professional Organiza Coalition,
Indonesia
Ridhiwani Sadiki, Citizen Network for Rural Development, Kenya
Parvana Valiyeva, focal point of Regional Expert group on Migration
and Health
Violet Wasonga, Nyando Social Justice, Kenya
Patsi Stillo, Partners in Health, USA
Charles Quist, Carepal Foundation, Ghana
Peter Owiti, Wote Youth Development Projects CBO, Kenya
Dr. Mohmad Husain, INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HQ,
India
Eliud Emeri, Turkana Bio Aloe Organization (TUBAE), Kenya
Zeeshan Ahmed, social activist, Pakistan
Hasim Abdul Halim, Department Health and Family welfare, ministry
of Health, India
Peter Musyoka, Twene Mbee Networking and Development group,
Kenya
Maryam Danesh, social activist, USA
Eliud Idoket, Consortium of Grassroots Organizations in Kenya
(CGOK)
Fred Wanyonyi, REDO NGO Kenya