Azerbaijan welcomes ICJ’s decision on Armenia’s human rights abuses

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has acknowledged the judgments issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on November 12, 2024, concerning preliminary objections raised by Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The case focuses on the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and marks a significant step in Azerbaijan’s ongoing legal battle against Armenia over human rights violations, Caliber.Az reports via the ministry.

In its statement, the ministry highlighted the ICJ’s decision to proceed with a thorough examination of Armenia’s “widespread human rights violations against Azerbaijanis.”

"The International Court of Justice has delivered a decision on Azerbaijan’s ongoing international legal claims against Armenia in connection with widespread human rights violations against Azerbaijanis," the statement read.

Azerbaijan’s government further emphasized its longstanding efforts to hold Armenia accountable for the systematic ethnic cleansing of over a million Azerbaijanis during Armenia’s occupation of internationally recognized Azerbaijani territories.

"For decades Azerbaijan has sought to hold Armenia to account for its systematic ethnic cleansing of more than a million Azerbaijanis," the statement continued. "These efforts have not been in vain: Armenia’s ethnic cleansing and other misconduct during its decades of occupation of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory will now be examined in detail by the Court in the merits phase."

Azerbaijan expressed particular satisfaction with the ICJ’s rejection of Armenia’s attempt to dismiss claims related to landmines, describing this decision as a critical step toward justice for landmine victims, whose numbers continue to rise. Only two days prior to the judgment, on November 10, an Azerbaijani citizen was injured in a landmine explosion.

"Moreover, the Court has rightly rejected Armenia’s attempt to exclude claims relating to Armenia’s practice of laying of landmines and booby traps. It is vital to secure justice for the victims of Armenia’s landmine threat, a number that tragically continues to grow to this day," Azerbaijan noted.

The statement also condemned the laying of landmines in civilian areas, describing it as a "provocation that not only endangers the lives of innocent civilians, but threatens the peace agreement that Azerbaijan remains committed to achieve."

Regarding the ICJ's approach to Armenia’s claims of racial discrimination, the court has reserved all factual and evidentiary analysis for the merits phase. Azerbaijan expressed confidence that this process will affirm its stance on the issue.

"With regards to Azerbaijan’s Preliminary Objections, the Court has importantly reserved all analysis of the facts and evidence related to Armenia’s false claims of racial discrimination merits phase. Azerbaijan is confident that the evidence examined by will show that no breach of international law has been committed."

In addition to the CERD case, Azerbaijan underscored that it is pursuing other avenues of legal recourse against Armenia in various international forums. These include seeking reparations for the destruction of infrastructure and environmental damage during the occupation period.

"Importantly, this is not the only legal avenue Azerbaijan is pursuing against Armenia. Azerbaijan is also seeking redress and financial compensation for Armenia’s breaches of international law in several other areas, including its destruction of the environment and energy infrastructure during the occupation, in other international legal forums."

Azerbaijan reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, stating: "We will continue efforts to hold Armenia accountable for its numerous breaches of international human rights during decades of occupation of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory and the associated conflicts."

By Vugar Khalilov