Western Azerbaijan Community accuses Armenia of ignoring human rights in response to Pashinyan’s claims

The Western Azerbaijan Community has responded to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent claims, clarifying that the issue of Western Azerbaijan is not territorial but a matter of human rights.

The community reiterated its respect for Armenia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, while emphasizing that the term "Western Azerbaijan" is based on historical facts and used in the context of self-identification, Caliber.Az reports.

"We have repeatedly expressed our respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia. As for the term 'Western Azerbaijan,' we stress that it is based on historical facts and is used within the framework of our right to self-identification," the statement reads.

"Rather than engaging in a debate on geographical and historical issues, the Armenian government should focus on the substance of the matter."

According to the statement, the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homeland is an obligation of Armenia under international law and human rights. "Regardless of the nature of bilateral relations with Baku, Yerevan must unconditionally create conditions for the return of Western Azerbaijanis — the rightful citizens of the country now called Armenia. Delaying dialogue or conditioning it on anything contradicts human rights and impedes the achievement of peace."

The community also called on Pashinyan to focus on establishing peace and cooperation in the region, urging him to create conditions for the return of Western Azerbaijanis and begin dialogue with their community.

"We urge Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to make efforts to establish peace and cooperation in the region, create conditions for the return of Western Azerbaijanis, and initiate a dialogue with our community for this purpose," the statement concluded.

To recap, earlier on January 9, Pashinyan proposed a set of conditions for “lasting regional peace.”

The first three parts of Pashinyan’s conditions are as follows: 1. “Western Azerbaijan is Qazax, Tovuz, Aghstafa, Gadabay, Dashkasan, Kelbajar, Lachin, Kubadli, Zangelan. There is no Western Azerbaijan beyond this, and cannot be. If they really want to search for it elsewhere, then we can consider Nakhchivan as Western Azerbaijan too." 2. "Western Armenia is Armavir, Talin, Maralik. There is no Western Armenia beyond this, and cannot be." 3. "Eastern Armenia is Ijevan, Berd, Chambarak, Vardenis, Jermuk, Goris, Kapan, Nerkin Hand, Nrnadzor. There is no Eastern Armenia beyond this, and cannot be.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev