Significant Human Rights Violations During the Conflict Between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Dunya Miyatovich has delivered her last speech in the capacity of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights at the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, addressing developments in the South Caucasus, with a focus on her visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh in October.

She emphasized that for the first time in decades, such a human rights monitoring mission was able to visit Nagorno-Karabakh.

Miyatovich expressed concern about ongoing military clashes around the world during which fundamental human rights are violated. She stated, “There have been significant human rights violations during the prolonged conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We hope this was the last chapter of that conflict.”

A few days ago, I published a report highlighting that effective protection of the human rights of all individuals affected by the conflict around the region of Nagorno-Karabakh is key to the success of the peace process.

In addition to the state of human rights in war and conflict zones, there are still other serious challenges that need to be better addressed. Miyatovich added that the rule of law is one of the greatest achievements of civilizations and the antidote that can protect humanity from autocracy and oppression.