Freedom House Report: Azerbaijani Regime waged a deliberate campaign  to empty Nagorno-Karabakh of its ethnic Armenian population

ArmInfo.The Azerbaijani regime waged a deliberate campaign to empty Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh  of its ethnic Armenian population, according to a report released today by an international fact-finding mission comprised of Freedom House and a coalition of six other partners.

The report, which builds on initial findings released in June,  examined the situation of ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh  between the end of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020 and the  Azerbaijani regime's September 2023 military offensive, along with  the aftermath of that offensive.  The report found multiple cases of  gross human rights violations, breaches of international humanitarian  law, and violations of international criminal law by Azerbaijani  authorities against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh through  extrajudicial killings, a months-long blockade, forced displacement,  and postdisplacement policies of cultural erase and property  destruction.. "The documented evidence aligns with the definition of  ethnic cleansing put forward by a UN Commission of Experts in the  context of the former Yugoslavia. The fact-finding report also  supports the conclusion that the acts documented in Nagorno-Karabakh  constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report's  release comes as Baku hosts the 29th Conference of the Parties  (COP29), the annual UN forum on climate change," Freedom House said  in a statement.

"Baku's military offensive and the use of blockade, starvation, and  threats were brutal tactics meant to forcibly displace ethnic  Armenians out of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani regime's unchecked  actions in Nagorno-Karabakh set a dangerous precedent of undemocratic  regimes using force to end conflicts. The global community must step  up its efforts to address the human rights violations faced by the  ethnic Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and ensure that  those responsible are held accountable," said Andranik Shirinyan,  Armenia country representative at Freedom House.  According to the  findings of the study, the actions of the Azerbaijani state  constitute ethnic cleansing using forced displacement as a means.

It is noted that the cleansing was carried out on the basis of a  comprehensive, methodically implemented strategy to empty  Nagorno-Karabakh of its ethnic Armenian population and historical and  cultural presence.  "The documented evidence meets the criteria for  ethnic cleansing as defined by a UN commission of experts report  examining violations of international humanitarian law in the former  Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The displacement of 100,000 ethnic  Armenians in September 2023 was the culmination of an intensive,  yearslong campaign. This campaign by the Azerbaijani state included  widespread human rights violations in various forms in against the  ethnic Armenian population, using prolonged tactics of intimidation  and a blockade. Such actions made it impossible for the ethnic  Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to live in safety and in a  dignified manner. Armenians suffered multiple violations of their  rights and freedoms," the report says.

"Cultural rights were also violated. Ethnic Armenians also suffered  violations to their right to life without torture and ill-treatment.  Perpetrators willfully killed civilians - even in the presence of  peacekeepers - and enjoyed absolute impunity. This heightened the  insecurity and terror among the population prior to the mass  displacement in September 2023.  Violations in Nagorno-Karabakh  continue in the form of erasure of the Armenian cultural and  historical presence. This includes the planned or completed  destruction of Armenian cultural monuments, churches, cemeteries and  residential areas," the report continues.

The report outlines a number of steps that democratic governments can  take to address impunity.  These recommendations include: "Arge  accountability for acts of impunity. Support international efforts to  prosecute crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against  the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, including by making a state  referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Implement  targeted sanctions, such as travel bans and asset freezes, against  Azerbaijani officials, military leaders and individuals implicated in  gross human rights violations and war crimes.

Uphold the rights of displaced ethnic Armenians. Urge the Azerbaijani  state to establish conditions for the safe and voluntary return of  displaced Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, with robust safety  guarantees and assurances of non-discrimination. Support initiatives  that safequard the rights of forcibly displaced persons and advocate  for the implementation of strong legal protections and support  services. Ensure that the voices of the affected populations are  heard and their rights upheld in all relevant international forums.   Protect Armenian cultural heritage. Urge Azerbaijan to uphold   international cultural- preservation standards and prevent further  destruction or modification of Armenian cultural properties.  "Advocate for Azerbaijan's cooperation with the United Nations  Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other  relevant bodies to facilitate independent monitoring missions and  promote international dialogue for the protection and restoration of  these sites," the report says.

The fact-finding mission was composed of Freedom House, International  Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), Democracy Development Foundation  (DDF), Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor, Protection of Rights  Without Borders NGO, the Law Development and Protection Foundation,  and Truth Hounds.  The mission's full report collected evidence from  330 witness interviews representing 71 of 107 Nagorno- Karabakh  communities. It expands on initial findings released in June 2024  with additional documented evidence and analysis on the September  2023 military offensive, the ensuing displacement of ethnic Armenians  from Nagorno-Karabakh, and the aftermath, including details on all of  the routes used by residents to evacuate. It also expands on legal  frameworks and provides a comprehensive set of recommendations.