On December 21, the Azerbaijani government submitted an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Armenia for gross violations of the human rights of Azerbaijanis in the territories freed from occupation, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported.
"Azerbaijan has presented several pieces of evidence of deliberate and purposeful destruction of property, including hundreds of civilian houses and other residential areas, during the withdrawal of Armenia from the city of Lachin and two neighboring villages in May-August 2022. Despite effective control in the mentioned areas, the Armenian government has not taken any steps to prevent these large-scale destructions. The Azerbaijani government has also witnessed evidence that Armenian officials are actively involved in the 'scorched earth' policy," the information added.
"The Armenian government committed systematic human rights violations on the road to Lachin. Newly discovered evidence shows that the Armenian armed forces continue to place landmines in areas they were required to leave by the Tripartite Statement of November 10, 2020, and mine traps in civilian homes. This includes mines produced in Armenia in 2021 and brought to Azerbaijan through the Lachin road, clearly violating the Tripartite Declaration. The destruction of houses under Armenia's "scorched earth" policy, along with the deliberate and specific placement of explosive devices on civilian properties, prevents internally displaced families and communities from returning to their former homes and lands, which they were forced to leave as a result of Armenia's illegal occupation 30 years ago," the Ministry stated.
"The actions of the Armenian government violate the right to private and family life, freedom of movement, the peaceful use of property and property of Azerbaijanis. The Armenian government's policy of inaction and assistance violates the prohibition of discrimination and the temporary measures adopted by the ECtHR in 2020, which prevented Armenia from targeting civilian areas in connection with Azerbaijan's application for temporary measures after the start of the conflict. Azerbaijan demands compensation, reparation, restitution, and other costs for the damage caused as a result of gross violation of human rights. Azerbaijan will continue its efforts to bring the Armenian government to justice for the continuous and purposeful violation of international human rights law," the message emphasized.
