Ombudsman releases statement condemning so-called "elections" in Karabakh

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, issued a statement protesting against the illegal "elections" held by Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the regular ceasefire violations by the enemy during the pandemic.

The Ombudsman expressed her deep concern over the truce's violation by the Armenian armed forces, which continuously fire at Azerbaijani positions.

"Ignoring the appeals of the UN, the World Health Organization and other international organizations related to the pandemic, the Armenian government, pursuing warmongering policy and continuing its provocative acts, poses even more danger in the region. Even during the pandemic, the Armenian army continues to violate the ceasefire, which further aggravates the living conditions of people in the conflict zone," says the statement.

"Moreover, the illegal "elections" and the so-called "inauguration" organized by Armenia in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan at times when the world is fighting the COVID-19 infection is another clear example of aggressive policy and destructive position in support of separatism, and gross violation of the international law. The so-called "elections" contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the norms and principles of international law. It has no legal force and has been resolutely and unequivocally rejected by the international community," said the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman Office has addressed the statement to the UN Secretary-General, UN Security Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and many other international bodies, as well as the Azerbaijani embassies abroad and diaspora organizations.

The illegal "elections" to the so-called "presidential office" and "parliament" of the self-declared separatist regime in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region took place on March 31.