Aliyev is Becoming More and More Unrestrained: Gayane Abrahamyan

Former MP Gayane Abrahamyan's statement: "What should we do at this critical moment? Has Armenia exhausted all the possible diplomatic mechanisms and tools to use, and only then talks about final capitulation? I believe the answer is NO, and not only has it not exhausted these options but it has also significantly failed to implement them and explain the situation to the international community. However, it is not too late.

Since at least May 12, I have been sounding the alarm each time, stating that our main weapon should be to raise the issue of human rights. Several NGOs have done tremendous work, preparing fact-finding reports and conducting interviews with hundreds of victims, recording everything with concrete evidence. Unfortunately, these did not become the main part of the officials’ rhetoric. Only one important step was taken—the appeal to the UN International Court, and that was solely thanks to individual effort and dedication.

Meanwhile, the further progress of this appeal and its possible impact, which I believe could play a decisive role in resolving the issue of Artsakh, is being neutralized by today’s actions resulting in yet another disproportionate concession. It is a fact that Aliyev is becoming more and more unrestrained with every step back. He had been silent about the Zangezur corridor in recent months; it was not even among the 5 demands, and now, after the concessions in Brussels, he has brought it back to the agenda. I can give many such examples, especially after May 12; this is the logical development of any negotiation process.

To say that we have no other instruments at this time except for 'capitulation' and not even attempt to utilize one of the important mechanisms of the UN, the RESPONSIBLE TO PROTECT (R2P), considering we have significant evidence regarding Azerbaijan's policy and the dangers of ethnic cleansing, is simply unacceptable.

The R2P mechanism suggests a preliminary assessment of the situation aimed at preventing ethnic cleansing or war crimes, for which the state must appeal to the UN R2P special advisor. Implementing all these processes will allow us to gain some time, change the perception and narrative of the conflict in the international community, publicize the issue more, and ultimately, truly attempt to PREVENT CATASTROPHE and receive a broader mandate for ensuring security.

The application and confirmation of the R2P mechanism (the facts of ethnic cleansing are truly undeniable) will create a diametrically different situation regarding the status issue later on. Today’s haste, especially in this geopolitical context, is the biggest mistake. We must buy time and actually use that time with clear application of tools. Without making these attempts, you are once again heading down the most disastrous path."