Western Azerbaijan Community reacts to Armenian pressure on European human rights commissioner

On October 23, 2023, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Dunja Mijatović visited the West Azerbaijan Community (WAC) and met with a group of Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia.

After the meeting, the Armenian side began an unprecedented smear campaign against the activities carried out by WAC within the framework of international organizations to protect human rights of Azerbaijani refugees.

“The press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia openly stated on November 6, 2023, that the Armenian side, in order to prevent the consideration of the issue of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia, is putting serious pressure on the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Dunja Mijatović," WAC said in a statement issued on November 6, reports Caliber.Az.

"The press secretary of the Armenian Foreign Ministry also states that due to pressure exerted by Armenia, Dunja Mijatović did not refer to the meeting with Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia in the press release following the visit.

The West Azerbaijani community considers the smear campaign carried out by Armenia against civil society to be oppressive and disrespectful.

This campaign once again demonstrates that the Armenian government continues its policy of discrimination against Azerbaijanis and does not intend to create conditions for the return of expelled Azerbaijanis to their homes.

The Community calls on international human rights institutions and, in particular, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Dunja Mijatović, despite pressure from Armenia, to continue to consider the issue of the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia,” the statement read.