Belgian legislators debate resolution about peace in South Caucasus

The hearing on the resolution titled The Need for Establishing Peace in South Caucasus was held on April 2 at the Committee on External Relations at the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium.

Speaking at the hearing, Armenian Ambassador to Belgium Tigran Balayan thanked the Belgian parliament for its constant attention to matters of importance for Armenia.

Balayan commended the Belgian government’s coalition program for including points about Armenia’s democratic path, the need for return of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and ensuring peace in the Caucasus.

Balayan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to peace and reiterated readiness to swiftly sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. However, he said, Baku has been making artificial preconditions, rejecting constructive offers and obstructing the process.

Ambassador Balayan said Armenia expects international support to prevent a possible new aggression by Azerbaijan and ensure sustainable peace.

Kaspar Karampetian, President of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) underscored that the displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh have the right to return according to international law. He recalled that Switzerland has adopted a law on this issue and called on Belgium to support such initiatives and have a clear stance on protection of NK Armenians and the POWs.

Founder of the Support for Artsakh Association, the ex-representative of Nagorno-Karabakh in France, Hovhannès Guévorkian, who participated in the hearings via videocall from Paris, drew attention to the fact that international organizations’ reports have stated that Azerbaijan had intent to deprive the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh of their rights, terrorize them, pressure and eventually force them to leave their homes. He said that Azerbaijan has been destroying Armenian churches, cemeteries, the historical-cultural legacy, in order to prevent the return of Armenians.

Guévorkian called on the international community to study this precedent and acknowledge the Azeri policy as a coordinated plan to eliminate Armenians. He said that Armenia hasn’t received sufficient protection from the international community and is now forced to abide by Baku’s imposed conditions.

He called on 10 countries to unite and initiate a special OSCE committee to investigate the violations against Armenian POWs. Guévorkian said that the support of Belgium and other democratic countries is crucial.

Belgian lawmakers inquired about the current situation and asked how they could help Armenia and the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ambassador Balayan said it was important to create a mechanism that would enable to monitor the implemented work. The Armenian ambassador noted with regret that immediately after concluding the talks around the terms of the draft peace agreement, Azerbaijan started making new preconditions for signing the treaty. Balayan warned that the Azerbaijani government is clearly not interested in signing the peace agreement. Speaking about the Armenian POWs unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, Balayan suggested creating an independent group of doctors that would be able to visit the POWs and inspect their condition.

The resolution’s co-author, Belgian MP Michel De Maegd said the Azeri actions amounted to “a policy of erasure of identity.” “An entire people was eradicated, its institutions destroyed, its memory is being destroyed,” he said.

Michel De Maegd said they have a responsibility to protect fundamental rights and prevent the impunity of gross violations of international law.

He said that peace is built on truth, justice and memory.

The resolution will be put up to vote during an upcoming session of the Chamber of Representatives.