International Association of Genocide Scholars adopts resolution on genocidal actions in Nagorno-Karabakh

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has adopted a resolution regarding Nagorno Karabakh, Suren Manukyan, a genocide scholar, said on Facebook.

He emphasized that the IAGS is the largest and most prestigious organization dedicated to the study of genocides, with approximately 700 scholars as members.

According to the resolution, the Organization declares:

1.The blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh from December 2022 to September 2023, including the closure of the Lachin Corridor, was characteristic of actions considered imposing conditions of life designed to bring about the physical destruction of the ethnic Armenians in the territory and caused serious mental and bodily harm to the Armenians in the territory, which are recognized as genocidal crimes under the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 

2. The forced removal of ethnic Armenians in September and October 2023 through siege and bombing is ethnic cleansing and the crime against humanity of deportation or forcible transfer of population (forced displacement). 

3. The bombing of civilian areas is a violation of international humanitarian law; 

4. The torture and killing of ethnic Armenian prisoners of war and civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law.

The Organization calls upon Azerbaijan

5. To free all ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijani detention in unlawful circumstances;

6. To comply with orders and judgments of the International Court of Justice, and other obligations of international law including international human rights law and international humanitarian law;

7. To prevent future violations of human rights of the Armenians;

8. To prevent further displacement of Armenians from their homeland by respecting the  Republic of Armenia’s territorial sovereignty;

9. To respect, protect and prevent the destruction of any Armenian cultural property in Nagorno-Karabakh;

To the international community

10. To protect Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self determination;

11. To take appropriate measures to guarantee the right to return and security of Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh;

12.Calls upon the international community, including national governments and international organisations, to recognise the atrocities perpetrated against the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh as constituting gross violations of human rights, war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, as applicable, and to take appropriate measures in response to prevent further violations and crimes;

13. Recommends the application of transitional justice measures, including sanctions, investigation of the case by the International Criminal Court;

14. Calls on the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate the crimes;

15. Calls upon Azerbaijan to remove its soldiers from the territory of the Armenian Republic and to respect the right of self-determination of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.