Washington, October 20, AZERTAC

“There can be no genuine reconciliation without accountability, and no lasting peace without justice,” Tofig Musayev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, said during the Sixth Committee of the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly under agenda item 81: "Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts"

“Azerbaijan is firmly committed to the fundamental principles and rules of international humanitarian law. We condemn all violations of the laws and customs of war and underscore the critical importance of accountability for such violations,” he said.

“Despite significant progress in advancing the peace agenda in our region, civilians in my country continue to be killed or injured by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. The fate and whereabouts of thousands of Azerbaijanis who went missing in connection with the former armed conflict is another pressing humanitarian issue. Moreover, the majority of those responsible for serios crimes committed in the course of the conflict are being sheltered by third countries, where they continue to enjoy impunity,” Musayev noted.

According to him, a number of military personnel and leaders of the former occupation regime has been duly prosecuted and convicted and is currently serving sentences in Azerbaijan for a range of offences committed within its territory. They include planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression; genocide; violations of the laws and customs of war; terrorism and financing of terrorism; establishing a criminal organization; forcible seizure of power; and the creation of armed groups and units not provided for by law.

The diplomat emphasized that most of the acts underlying these offences constitute crimes under international law and involve violations of peremptory norms of general international law (jus cogens), as well as serious breaches of obligations owed to the international community as a whole (erga omnes).

“Accordingly, blanket amnesties, de facto impunity or other forms of immunity and early release for persons responsible for the most serious international crimes are incompatible with States’ obligations under international law. As such crimes constitute attacks on universal values, no State should arrogate to itself the right to absolve their perpetrators or to disregard their legal consequences,” the permanent representative emphasized.

Musayev underscored that the international community must remain steadfast in opposing impunity for the most serious crimes and in standing with victims, survivors and their families.

“Justice helps establish the truth, preserve the historical record, counter denial and revisionism, restore the dignity of victims and survivors, and provide a foundation for genuine reconciliation. It also reinforces the rule of law and strengthens confidence that grave violations will not be tolerated,” he added.

Source: azertag.az