European Parliament Adopts Resolution Calling for EU Sanctions Against Azerbaijan

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning Azerbaijan's military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, urging the European Union to impose sanctions on officials responsible for violations of the ceasefire that have resulted in numerous human rights abuses.

On October 3, a discussion took place in the European Parliament regarding Azerbaijan's military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, which was followed by the presentation of the resolution. According to a correspondent from Armenpress in Brussels, the resolution was put to a vote in the European Parliament on October 5. A total of 491 members voted in favor, 9 against, and 36 abstained.

The adopted resolution strongly condemns Azerbaijan’s premeditated and unjustified military offensive against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, characterizing it as a grave violation of international and human rights law, as well as breaching the trilateral ceasefire statement of November 9, 2020, and the commitments Azerbaijan made during EU-mediated negotiations. Members of the European Parliament emphasize that this attack contradicts Azerbaijan's declared intent to establish stable peace with Armenia and disrupts ongoing negotiations between the parties.

The resolution states, “The assault occurred in the context of a severe humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor for the past nine months, violating Baku’s obligations and the legally binding orders of the International Criminal Court. The forced removal of civilians from the area could be considered a crime against humanity and may fall under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”

The resolution calls upon the EU and member states to impose targeted sanctions against individuals in the Azerbaijani government responsible for the ceasefire violations and numerous human rights abuses in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as to investigate possible war crimes committed by Azerbaijani forces.

Members of the European Parliament expressed disappointment regarding the UN's initial mission and its organization and call for the establishment of an international presence in Nagorno-Karabakh under UN auspices. Concerns were also raised about the preservation of cultural, religious, and historical heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh following the mass exodus of Armenians.

The resolution urges Azerbaijan to refrain from further destruction, neglect, or alteration of the region's cultural, religious, or historical heritage.

Additionally, the resolution condemns the Azerbaijani military incursion into Armenia’s internationally recognized territory and reaffirms the demand for the withdrawal of troops from Armenian sovereign territory. It expresses deep concern and deems unacceptable the hostile rhetoric and declarations by Azerbaijan’s president and other officials threatening Armenia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

In this context, the resolution calls on Turkey to restrain its ally Azerbaijan from irresponsible actions and condemns the support being provided. It also criticizes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for exploiting the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh to promote his imperialist agenda and encouraging further assaults against Armenia's sovereignty.

The eleventh point of the resolution calls for a review of the EU's relations with Azerbaijan, in light of recent developments and the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. The resolution further requests the European Commission to reassess its “strategic partnership” in the energy sector with Azerbaijan, considering multiple violations of its international obligations. The resolution highlights that Azerbaijan’s current position is incompatible with the objectives set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union regarding EU foreign policy.

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