"Our Assembly Could Initiate Direct Contacts with Nagorno Karabakh, Irrespective of Its Status,” Hermine Naghdalyan’s Message to PACE

On June 25 during the free debate format of the PACE Summer Session the Head of the Armenian Delegation to PACE, the NA Deputy Speaker Hermine Naghdalyan conveyed 2 important messages by the NKR MPs – the initiatives of creating cooperation with the PACE and an international platform “Parliamentarians against Genocides” of the RA National Assembly.

Meanwhile, in her speech Mrs Naghdalyan considered expedient to oppose one of the Azerbaijani delegates, who had touched upon the court decision on Chiragov’s case, qualifying the latter’s words completely fanciful and fake. In particular, the Azerbaijani delegate reminded Chiragov against Armenia case, considering it a legal approved basis of occupation of Karabakh and its seven adjacent regions. At the same time the NA Deputy Speaker documented the one-sided presentation spread practice by the Azerbaijanis, proposing them to talk about the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, which are against Azerbaijan on refugees and political persecutions.

We completely quote the NA Deputy Speaker’s speech:

Short reaction to my colleague from Azerbaijan: There is no single word about occupation by Armenia of Nagorno Karabakh. It is simply not true. What is interesting is that colleague from Azerbaijan conveniently forgets to mention judgment against Azerbaijan on the same subject. Furthermore, there are a number of judgments against Azerbaijan, where the court continuously called upon Azerbaijan to release journalists, political activists, director of the Council of Europe school in Baku. But apparently those judgments are not of interest of my colleague from Azerbaijan, who opts to disseminate false information about court judgments.

Dear Colleagues,

I have two messages that I would like to present to your attention.

Recently by the request of my colleagues from the Parliament of Nagorno Karabakh I’ve sent you the Statement of the Factions of the National Assembly of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The statement is about future, the statement is about willingness of people of Nagorno Karabakh to build their country in cooperation with this body, principles and values of which is shared by them. It is unfair to neglect this people because of the status of their Republic. They are part of Europe, they are young democracy, which can never become part of the country, ruled by inherited autocratic regime. Even conducted elections that according to the number of international observers fully met democratic standards, Nagorno Karabakh needs us in the development and strengthening of their democratic institutions.

I address to all of you, to the leaders of the Assembly, to the chairs of the political groups and representatives of 47 countries, please, read the Statement of the National Assembly carefully and feel the desire of the people of that Republic.

Our Assembly could initiate direct contacts with Nagorno Karabakh, irrespective of its status, aimed at promoting human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. The Council of Europe has similar experience in other parts of Europe and the world. Let’s forget about double standards for a while and let the humanitarian and democratic values lead us. Anyone in Europe must be under the protection of European Convention of Human Rights and other relevant documents.

My second message is about the initiative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

You are aware that this year the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide is marked. We are thankful to those countries and international organizations who showed their support and expressed sympathies on those days. It was really important for us to feel that finally we are not alone and that international community and our friends stand by us.

One hundred years later the world is not safe from genocides. If the first genocide of the twentieth century has been recognized and condemned, we could avoid the occurrences of new crimes against humanity. Being a nation who survived genocide, we feel responsibility to launch international campaign against genocides. Being elected by our people, we, parliamentarians, have to lead this effort. We believe that international parliamentarian tribune is an effective tool of cooperation in joint fight against all types of crimes against humanity.

The platform “Parliamentarians against Genocides” has been established in the Armenian Parliament. We call upon all of you to join this initiative. Respective letters will be sent to CoE Member States, as well as to the parliaments all over the world. I believe you will join the platform to make together this world safer and better place,” the NA Deputy Speaker said.