PACE Adopts Resolution on Ensuring Free and Safe Access Through the Lachin Corridor: Ruben Rubinyan

Recently, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) voted to adopt the resolution titled “Ensuring Free and Safe Access Through the Lachin Corridor” along with consultations. This was announced by Ruben Rubinyan, the head of the Armenian delegation to PACE, on his Facebook page.

“The Azerbaijani delegation tried everything to either change the resolution or prevent its adoption, but they failed. Their proposed approximately 60 amendments were rejected, and the resolution was adopted. Contrary to Azerbaijan's claims, the PACE resolution clearly states that there is no free and safe movement through the Lachin Corridor,” he noted.

The resolution primarily addresses the humanitarian and human rights consequences of Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor, emphasizes the urgent need for an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor and Artsakh, and calls on Azerbaijan to immediately comply with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Court of Justice. It also urges Azerbaijan to restore the supply of electricity and gas to Artsakh and calls for an end to the hostile and threatening rhetoric used against Armenians.

The resolution particularly states, among other points, that the Assembly is extremely concerned about the interruption of free and safe movement through the Lachin Corridor and the subsequent deliberate interruption of electricity and gas supply. The Assembly is shocked that the Azerbaijani leadership does not acknowledge the serious humanitarian and human rights consequences arising from the current situation. It deeply regrets that the PACE rapporteur was not invited to Azerbaijan during his fact-finding visit and was unable to travel to the Lachin Corridor.

The Assembly emphasizes that the current situation is unstable and could lead to the forced displacement of the Armenian population from their homes and communities if the conflict remains unresolved. In this context, the Assembly calls for urgent attention to the rights and security of the Armenian population of Artsakh through dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, as well as for the provision of international neutral involvement in any peace-oriented mechanisms.

The Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to implement the interim measures applied by the ECHR on December 21, 2022, without further delay. It also urges Azerbaijan to urgently comply with the ruling of the International Court of Justice. The Assembly appeals to Azerbaijan to invite a delegation of the Council of Europe for a fact-finding mission to visit the Lachin Corridor and Artsakh to assess the situation on the ground. Furthermore, it calls on Azerbaijan to allow other international organizations, including UN agencies, to enter the region.

The Assembly urges Azerbaijan to genuinely demonstrate a constructive and peaceful approach towards neighboring Armenia and the Armenians living in Artsakh. PACE calls on Azerbaijan to make every effort to ensure free and safe movement through the Lachin Corridor in both directions. It insists that Azerbaijan immediately restore electricity and gas supplies and agree with Armenians on a new route for gas and electricity supplies that passes through Armenian, rather than Azerbaijani, territories.

The Assembly expresses serious concern regarding the hostile and threatening rhetoric directed at Armenians by the highest levels of Azerbaijan’s leadership and urges Azerbaijan to abandon such rhetoric and take steps to combat hate speech and hate-based crimes, including those voiced by public figures and officials.