Azerbaijani MFA again addresses to foreign journalists

An increasing number of reports indicate Armenia's irresponsible attempts to exploit journalists, both its nationals and citizens of third countries, in the course of its ongoing military operations against the Republic of Azerbaijan. In some cases, it is of particular concern that while bringing journalists and other media professionals into the theatre of active military operations, Armenia, apparently on purpose, does not take necessary measures to distinguish them from combatants clearly.

Statement provided by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reads, Report says.

Armenia's irresponsible behavior in itself is a severe violation of its obligation under international humanitarian law to take all feasible precautions to protect the civilian population and civilian objects under its control against the effects of attacks. In this way, Armenia put journalists' safety and security in the conflict zone at risk for its anti-Azerbaijan propaganda.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan recalls that under international humanitarian law, and the UN Security Council resolutions 1738 (2006) and 2222(2015), journalists in armed conflicts are classified as civilians. So, they should be afforded the same protection as civilians, provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians.

Therefore, all journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel must exercise the utmost care and avoid any action that would undermine their status as civilians in the conflict zone.

The Ministry, furthermore, underlines that the UNSC mentioned above resolutions provide a framework for the journalistic activity and serve as the terms of reference for the media professionals working in and reporting on the situations of armed conflicts. In particular, in these resolutions, the Security Council reaffirms the commitment to the principles of the political independence, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all States, and respect for all States' sovereignty. It condemns the use of the media to incite violence, genocide, crimes against humanity, and other serious international humanitarian law violations.

Failure by journalists to follow these exact guidelines increases media exploitation risks to foment hatred and tensions. It promotes situations created through unlawful use of force against States' sovereignty and territorial integrity and accompanied by severe violations of international humanitarian law, thus contributing to the continuation of occupation of territories and conflicts.

We again call on journalists to avoid visiting the temporarily occupied Azerbaijan territories, thus not allowing Armenia to exploit them. Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges those operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan's occupied territories to comply with the requirements mentioned above strictly and refrain from any action undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including through propagating the illegal use of forces by Armenia against Azerbaijan. We strongly urge all those media representatives to strictly follow the Republic of Azerbaijan's rules and regulations related to the accreditation of foreign journalists in Azerbaijan.

We further call on all relevant inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions to exercise all necessary measures to prevent the exploitation of journalists, media workers, and associated personnel by Armenia in its military aggression against Azerbaijan and ensure that all journalists strictly follow the rules and regulations with a view to not adversely affecting their status as civilians.