Movement within boundaries of their own country is one of the fundamental rights of every citizen and is clearly confirmed in the European Convention on Human Rights (Article №2), Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article №13), International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Article №5), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article №12) and other international documents.
Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament’s Committee on Law Policy and State Building Ali Huseynli said this while commenting on the “trial” of Azerbaijani hostages Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev held by the separatist regime in Nagorno Karabakh yesterday, APA reports.
He said the Resolution 822 of the UN Security Council demands the withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces from Kalbajar region.
“President Ilham Aliyev has always held a principal position regarding the issues on the protection of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. We all should take an example from Mr. President. We consider a campaign launched on social networks for the release of the Azerbaijani civilians taken hostage during their regular visits to the country’s regions a very important act in terms of informing the world community about Armenia’s actions contrary to international legal norms and principles and support it,” he said.
Huseynli said that Azerbaijan’s borders are recognized by the UN and other international organizations as well as the world countries. The Republic of Armenia has occupied Azerbaijani territories through armed aggression which is considered a crime under international law.
“The international law does not accept and recognize the change of borders by force. The occupation of Azerbaijani territories is an obvious fact for world countries and organizations. The UN four resolutions confirmed the fact of occupation, demanding the withdrawal of aggressors from the occupied territories. In particular, the UN Resolution 822 demands the withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces from Kalbajar region. According to the Article 51 of the UN Charter, the occupation of a territory gives the country that suffered the occupation, the right to liberate its lands and at the same time, does not prohibit the free movement of the citizens of the country, which is under occupation. Armenian armed forces took Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev hostages in Azerbaijan and within its internationally recognized borders. The international law does not authorize the Armenian armed forces for such actions. Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev did not violate any country’s borders or any law, they moved within their own country. Contrary to international law, they were taken hostage though they were civilians. They were demonstrated attitude contrary to international humanitarian law and even the so-called trial was held,” Hasanli said.
The committee chairman said that it is inadmissible for an illegal and marionette regime that is unrecognized by any of world countries and has made its ambition, procedure, and result in Nagorno-Karabakh which is an integral part of Azerbaijan clear ahead of time to play a political game over a couple of civilians and their grief resulting from paying a visit to the graves of their parents.
“Silence of international organizations and states criticizing Azerbaijan in a tendentious manner over this issue is unclear. It seems as if some countries and international organizations have forgotten that human rights and freedoms are not a political tool, but an issue about the fates of humans. In fact, the primary purpose of international organizations and some countries is to apply human rights and freedoms to Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev. Taking all mentioned above and the international law into account, we demand Armenia and its backers immediately release Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev. International organizations and some countries that are asking Azerbaijan to be patient and peaceful must take an action in this respect. Remember that Azerbaijan is a sovereign country and must protect and save its citizens. The world and the international law are well familiar with the examples of countries that have saved their citizens in the territories of other countries.
At the same time, a separatist and occupying regime conducting a judicial procedure against hostages is beyond any judicial norms. With such a step, Armenia uses the principle of law supremacy for its own dishonest political goals. What is even more upsetting is that international organizations which continuously speak about law supremacy are silent about this matter,” he added.
More about:
