UN NEWS—A UN-appointed unbiased human rights knowledgeable on Wednesday referred to as on Azerbaijan to “assure the rights of ethnic Armenians” within the Karabakh area and be sure that civilians who stay “are revered and guarded consistent with its worldwide obligations.”
“Azerbaijan should additionally promptly and independently examine alleged or suspected violations of the proper to life reported within the context of its newest army offensive…throughout which dozens of individuals, together with peacekeepers, have been killed,” mentioned, Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, abstract or arbitrary executions.
1000’s have moved into Armenia from the Karabakh Financial Area of Azerbaijan within the span of only a few days, together with many aged, girls and kids.
UN chief António Guterres mentioned on Tuesday he was “very involved” concerning the displacement.
“It’s important that the rights of the displaced populations be protected and that they obtain the humanitarian help they’re owed,” Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric informed journalists at UN Headquarters.
Lengthy-running battle
Battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the area has persevered for greater than three many years, however a ceasefire and subsequent Trilateral Assertion was agreed virtually three years in the past following six weeks of preventing, by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, resulting in the deployment of a number of thousand Russian peacekeepers.
Amid final week’s flare-up in preventing and the arrival of the primary refugees in Armenia, the UN chief referred to as for fully-fledged entry for support employees to individuals in want.
Worldwide requirements should apply
Mr. Tidball-Binz mentioned that “investigations have to be performed in accordance with worldwide requirements, particularly the Revised UN Handbook on the Efficient Prevention and Investigation of Further-Authorized, Arbitrary and Abstract Executions, also referred to as the Minnesota Protocol”.
This requires that investigations be carried out promptly and be thorough, full, unbiased, neutral and clear.”
“I reaffirm my readiness to offer technical help to the authorities for guaranteeing compliance with their worldwide humanitarian legislation and human rights obligations to correctly examine each doubtlessly illegal loss of life consistent with relevant requirements of forensic greatest follow,” the Particular Rapporteur mentioned.
Particular Rapporteurs and different UN consultants will not be UN workers and are unbiased from any authorities or organisation. They serve of their particular person capability and obtain no wage for his or her work.
Taking questions from reporters in New York, the UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric mentioned that the UN has been in communication with the Authorities of Azerbaijan on points referring to worldwide legislation and humanitarian rules, noting that the Authorities has given public assurances that each one residents within the area could be protected.
Alarming pictures
He additionally flagged an announcement issued on Wednesday by Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the Particular Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
“She reiterated her robust concern over the continuing state of affairs within the South Caucasus area…She mentioned the pictures of individuals leaving as a result of concern of identity-based violence are very alarming”.
Ms. Nderitu referred to as for “all efforts to be made” to make sure the safety and human rights of the ethnic Armenian inhabitants who stay within the space and for many who have left.
Emergency shelter, ‘crucial’
In a press briefing in Geneva earlier within the day, the World Well being Group’s head of Well being Emergencies, famous that presumably as much as a 3rd of the inhabitants of the Karabakh area has moved “in a really, very brief time.”
They don’t have their regular meds with them. They haven’t eaten, they’re thirsty. There’s a threat of dehydration, there’s a threat to illness and different psychological traumas which go together with that. I feel proper now, given the chilly temperatures at night time emergency shelter is totally essential.”
