Within the framework of the 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council underway in Geneva, Armenia has issued a joint statement dedicated to the protection of international humanitarian law and human rights during armed conflicts. Nineteen countries from all UN regional groups have joined the statement.
Referring to the fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter regarding the peaceful settlement of conflicts and refraining from the threat or use of force, the statement strongly condemns violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during armed conflicts and calls on states to hold accountable those who have committed such crimes.
The statement specifically notes that the unlawful use of force is often preceded or accompanied by hate speech, widespread war propaganda, and statements by political leaders and public figures about racial or ethnic superiority, which spread hostility and prejudice against ethnic, religious or racial groups, or defend and justify the use of violence against them.
The countries reaffirm the right of victims to receive assistance from humanitarian organizations, as defined by the 1949 Geneva Conventions and other relevant instruments of international humanitarian law, and call for ensuring safe and unimpeded access to this assistance.
They emphasize that prisoners of war and detainees must be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, must be released immediately and repatriated after the end of active military operations. International humanitarian law prohibits hostage-taking and the prolonged detention of prisoners of war and detained persons for the purpose of making them objects of bargaining.
The joint statement urges the implementation of effective legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures to prevent, halt and punish cases of enforced disappearance.
The countries call on the relevant UN bodies to assume a more active role in the promotion and protection of human rights, ensuring full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights in all situations arising from armed conflicts, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
