Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Publishes Draft Law on 'Occupied Territories'

The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh has published the draft law on 'Occupied Territories'. This draft defines the legal status of territories seized as a result of military aggression carried out against the Republic of Artsakh by the Republic of Azerbaijan with the direct involvement of foreign militant terrorists in 1991-1994 and 2016 and in 2020, as well as the special legal regime applicable to these territories, the features of state governance and local self-government bodies, the operation of organizations, the rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens, and the protection and safeguarding of the rights and interests of legal entities.

The draft law on 'Occupied Territories' has been co-authored by five factions of the National Assembly. The draft law is set to be discussed for the first time in the National Assembly's upcoming session on February 16.

The Vice Speaker of the National Assembly, Gagik Bagunts, stated, “The draft carries two primary messages. First, we will not renounce any of the territories enshrined in the Constitution of Artsakh under any circumstances, and we believe that, for example, the Hadrut region has been Armenian and will always be Armenian. Secondly, we are addressing all governments and foreign organizations that may be interested in engaging in various activities within the occupied territories, warning them that based on the provisions of the relevant law and various international norms, we will raise our claims and, should favorable conditions arise for us, will appeal to international courts and arbitrations.”

According to Bagunts, referencing Article 175 of the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh, he noted that until the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Artsakh and the demarcation of borders, public authority is exercised in the territory that is de facto under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Artsakh.

The draft law classifies as occupied territories those regions, communities, and settlements listed under the laws on 'Administrative Territorial Division of the Republic of Artsakh', which are under the control of the Republic of Azerbaijan, specifically those territories seized during the military actions of 1991-1994 and those seized during the hostilities initiated by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh on September 27, 2020.

The draft stipulates that the entry, exit, and movement of foreign persons in the occupied territories are permitted only in accordance with the procedures established by the legislation of the Republic of Artsakh. Violating this regime will result in liabilities stipulated by the legal framework of the Republic of Artsakh.

Any economic activities in the occupied territories that require licenses, permits, registrations, and any construction activities are also subject to the regulations established by the legislation of the Republic of Artsakh. Non-compliance with these regulations will incur penalties as outlined by the laws of the Republic of Artsakh.

Income, properties, and assets gained from any economic activities carried out in violation of the legislation of the Republic of Artsakh, as well as any constructions built as a result of such activities, will be deemed unlawfully obtained and subject to the consequences outlined by the legal framework of the Republic of Artsakh.