Hague hosts first trial of Azerbaijan-initiated arbitration against Armenia Due to destruction of environment PHOTO

On April 12, 2024 the Peace Palace at the Hague hosted the first formal proceedings on Azerbaijan’s claim in inter-state arbitration under the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

The first arbitration was initiated by Azerbaijan on January 18, 2023 based on available evidence of widespread environmental destruction caused by Armenia during the 30-year illegal occupation of its territories, Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Caliber.Az.

After liberating the territories from occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan has made public the terrible evidence of how Armenia has been destroying the environment there. Armenia's actions have caused serious damage to the natural habitat and species of flora and fauna in those territories, depleting natural resources and destroying biodiversity.

"Armenia's irresponsible and illegal construction and mining activities in forest territories, in reserves, large-scale deforestation have jeopardized more than 500 species of flora and fauna of Azerbaijan. Armenia still continues to damage biodiversity on Azerbaijani lands, polluting transboundary rivers flowing through its territory to the territory of Azerbaijan.

In the arbitration Azerbaijan demanded to put an end to violations of the Bern Convention by Armenia and to ensure full payment of compensation for environmental destruction.

This arbitration will not only create an important precedent in environmental litigation, but will also ensure the real effectiveness of international legal obligations imposed on states in relation to biodiversity," the Foreign Ministry said.