On 24 October 2024, the European Parliament adopted a pivotal resolution to address the situation in Azerbaijan, highlighting “human rights violations, breaches of international law, and relations with Armenia”. With 453 votes in favour, 31 against, and 89 abstentions, the resolution underscores a pressing concern among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) about the deteriorating human rights landscape in the region.
According to reports from the “Armenpress” correspondent in Brussels, the resolution firmly denounces the Azerbaijani authorities for their repressive actions against opposition leaders, journalists, and activists, both domestically and abroad. These violations have notably intensified ahead of the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP 29), prompting urgent calls for action.
The resolution demands the immediate release of all politically imprisoned individuals detained arbitrarily, as well as an end to all forms of persecution and repression. MEPs express grave concerns regarding the atmosphere of fear permeating Azerbaijan, aimed at silencing an already vulnerable civil society.
The resolution asserts that Azerbaijan’s ongoing human rights abuses are incompatible with hosting COP 29. European Union (EU) leaders, particularly European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are urged to leverage this international platform to remind Azerbaijan of its international obligations and to address the country’s human rights situation substantively.
The European Parliament calls on the EU and its member states to take decisive steps to ensure that UN climate conferences are not hosted in countries where human rights records are severely lacking. Additionally, it demands an end to the EU’s reliance on Azerbaijani gas and the suspension of the 2022 memorandum of understanding on strategic energy partnership.
MEPs emphasise that the release of all political prisoners and the implementation of legal reforms should serve as prerequisites for any future partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan. They also highlight that Azerbaijan must demonstrate a genuine willingness to engage in peace negotiations with Armenia and respect the rights of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The European Parliament reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. It advocates for the resolution of bilateral relations based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity and borders, in accordance with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. The Parliament insists that Azerbaijani forces must withdraw from Armenian territory and calls for respect for Armenia’s territorial integrity.
The resolution emphasises that all issues regarding communications in the region should be resolved while respecting Armenia’s sovereignty. MEPs warn that any military action against Armenia is unacceptable and would have serious consequences for EU-Azerbaijan relations.
They further assert that the EU must be prepared to impose sanctions on any individuals or organisations threatening Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. MEPs commend the assistance provided to Armenian armed forces from the European Peace Facility and call for enhanced cooperation between Armenia and the EU in security and defence sectors.
The Parliament expresses concern over defamatory statements from Azerbaijan and urges the EU to extend the mandate of its civilian mission in Armenia. Regarding the border delimitation process, MEPs call for the EU to halt any technical and financial assistance to Azerbaijan that could bolster its military capabilities.
The resolution demands the immediate release of all 23 Armenian prisoners of war and calls on Azerbaijan to comply with the International Court of Justice’s rulings, including those concerning the safe and prompt return of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. MEPs advocate for a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Armenian community in Nagorno-Karabakh, ensuring their fundamental rights are safeguarded.
Expressing deep concern for the preservation of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, the European Parliament urges Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from further destruction of cultural and historical sites. MEPs insist that Azerbaijan must grant UNESCO access to Nagorno-Karabakh to protect the region’s rich cultural diversity.
In closing, the resolution condemns personal attacks from Azerbaijani officials against European elected representatives and demands that these officials be barred from entering EU institutions until further notice. By calling for concrete actions and a robust commitment to human rights, the European Parliament hopes to foster positive change in Azerbaijan and the broader Nagorno-Karabakh region.
In reflecting upon the adoption of the resolution, Kaspar Karampetian, President of the European Office of the ARF’s Hay Dat – Armenian National Committee, articulated several salient points:
“The adoption of this resolution constitutes a logical progression from prior resolutions issued by the European Parliament and the discussions convened on 22nd October. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and commend their steadfast commitment to principled advocacy, which we earnestly hope will prompt a critical reassessment of the European Union’s executive policy towards Azerbaijan.
In relation to this resolution, it is imperative to underscore that the Parliament has delineated prerequisites for the future evolution of EU-Azerbaijan contractual relations. These prerequisites notably include the unconditional release of political prisoners, an unequivocal demonstration of sincerity in peace negotiations with Armenia, and the unequivocal respect for the rights of the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Furthermore, it is crucial to emphasise that the ratification of any prospective new agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan resides entirely within the purview of the European Parliament. In this context, the executive is bound by the stances adopted by the Parliament. Consequently, the trajectory of EU policy will significantly depend on parliamentary resolutions, thus rendering the executive unable to disregard the Parliament’s perspectives indefinitely.
We are already observing a perceptible fortification of rhetoric from the European External Action Service concerning Azerbaijan, coupled with the inclusion of agendas that align with our values. The European Office of the Armenian Cause remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing efforts in this domain.”
Main source: aysor.am