Peace must be rooted in humanitarian values - MP Hasmik Hakobyan's speech at 151st Assembly of IPU

Armenian Member of Parliament and member of the Armenian delegation to the IPU, Hasmik Hakobyan, delivered remarks at the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Switzerland.

Below is the transcript of MP Hakobyan’s speech published by the parliament’s press office.

“Honorable Chair

Dear colleagues

It is an honor to address you today on a topic that resonates deeply with my country and our people: upholding humanitarian norms and supporting humanitarian action in times of crisis.

We meet at a time when global crises – wars, forced displacements, natural disasters – continue to test the resilience of international law and the strength of our collective morals. At the heart of these crises lies a fundamental question: Do we, as a global community, have the will to place human dignity above political divisions?

For Armenia, this is not an abstract debate. It is our lived experience. In recent years, our region has faced serious conflict and humanitarian tragedy. Families have been displaced, lives lost, and trust between neighbors harmed. Yet today, we stand at a crossroads: Armenia and Azerbaijan have initialed a peace agreement on August 8,2025, that could mark a historic turning point.

But peace is not only about signing documents. It must be rooted in humanitarian values. Respecting international humanitarian law means ensuring the rights and safety of displaced persons, protecting cultural heritage, and providing humanitarian assistance without discrimination. These are not favors, they are obligations we all share as members of the international community.

This peace agreement is more than a bilateral arrangement. It is a test case: can two countries, long divided by conflict, build settlement based on humanitarian norms? If we succeed, it will send a powerful message beyond our borders—that even in times of deepest crisis, respect for humanity can light the path to peace.

Thank you."