The autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has commenced in Strasbourg, to be held from 27 to 30 September. On the first day of the session, a report prepared by Irish delegate Paul Gavan on “The humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan” is to be discussed.
According to the draft report, the Parliamentary Assembly expresses regret over the tragic humanitarian consequences of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. It is noted that the conflict has had two major flare-ups, one lasting from the end of 1991 until 1994, and the second being the six-week war of 2020.
“During the last six-week war, more than 3,900 Armenians and more than 2,900 Azerbaijanis were killed or went missing, as well as numerous civilians. More than 91,000 Armenians and 84,000 Azerbaijanis were displaced,” the draft report states.
Rapporteur Paul Gavan also presented recommendations to Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding steps that could help overcome the humanitarian consequences of the war in the short-term and long-term perspectives and advance the process of peace and reconciliation. According to the rapporteur, the international community, including the Council of Europe, is ready to assist both countries.
In the draft resolution, the Parliamentary Assembly recalls that upon joining the Council of Europe in January 2001, Armenia and Azerbaijan were obliged to use exclusively peaceful means for the settlement of the conflict. Therefore, the six-week war of 2020 constitutes a violation of those obligations, which must receive an appropriate response from the Council of Europe.
