The Committee on External Relations of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives convened a crucial hearing on April 2 to deliberate on resolutions concerning Nagorno-Karabakh, put forth by Members of Parliament Els Van Hoof and Michel De Maegd. The hearing featured vital contributions from diplomatic representatives and advocacy leaders, providing the Committee with necessary insights on advancing measures to protect the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The distinguished speakers who addressed the Committee included:
- H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia.
- H.E. Mr. Hovhannes Guévorkian, Representative of the Republic of Artsakh in France.
- Mr. Kaspar Karampetian, President of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).
Speaking before the Committee, EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian emphasized key issues pertinent to the crisis which require inclusion in the upcoming resolutions. He clarified the ineligibility of the Alma-Ata Declaration as a legal basis for the territorial claims of Azerbaijan regarding the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that the Declaration has no legal footing. The independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is based on Soviet Law on Secession specifically the April 3, 1990, law of the USSR “On the Procedures for Resolving Issues Related to the Secession of Union Republics”. He further explained that the legal power at “Alma-Ata” rested on the adoption of the Protocols which established the CIS, whose ratification by Armenia included special language pertaining to the status of Nagorno-Karabakh that it should not be under the rule of Azerbaijan.
These underline the legal rights of the Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination, detailing how even by the signing of the Alma-Ata Protocols, Nagorno-Karabakh was not under direct rule of Azerbaijan, an understanding which is necessary when considering the announced potential peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On this subject, Karampetian criticized the approach of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has accepted many concessions which has emboldened Azerbaijan to increase its demands and escalate tensions. The President informed the members of the Committee on the preconditions Azerbaijan is imposing on Armenia, despite the announcement of the finalization of a peace agreement between the two countries.
Unacceptable demands include the disarmament of the Armenian Army, the amendment of the Armenian Constitution, huge arbitrary financial compensation and the demand of Azerbaijan from Armenia to hand over all previous Armenian Presidents to be trialed as terrorists in Baku. Karampetian emphasized that these concessions constitute an existential danger to Armenia’s sovereignty and independence and demonstrate Baku’s unwillingness to reach to a just peace and deescalate tensions. Karampetian asked the Committee to take these vital points into consideration and for the Belgian Executive to seek the EU to increase pressure on Azerbaijani officials and demand them to cease their threats against Armenia. Karampetian further stated on the subject:
“Yes, we want peace, but an international body needs to be present to be the guarantor that will observe the proceedings and the implementation of the peace agreement as it is signed by both parties”.
In addition to these key points, he reiterated the necessity to protect the cultural, religious and civilian infrastructure of the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh from destruction by Azerbaijan that seeks to erase all trace of Armenian presence from the region. He further raised the serious human rights violation by Azerbaijan with the Armenian prisoners of war and hostages kept in Baku. Karampetian insisted that Azerbaijan must release the Armenian prisoners held in Baku and the EU Executive must finally act and impose sanctions against Azerbaijani officials accused of international law violations, while requiring the presence of international observers during the sham trials trials as well as independent doctors to assess their health conditions. Karampetian pleaded with the committee to ask the foreign ministry of Belgium to raise these issues at the next Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union.
Karampetian stressed with emphasis the fundamental right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to collective return to their ancient homeland under international protection guarantees. He explained that the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh has created a special committee to pursue the implementation of the right for collective return. This committee is working internationally to promote the rights of the people of Artsakh. Karampetian also praised the recent adoption of the binding motion in Switzerland that requires the Swiss government to convene an open dialogue between Azerbaijan and the representatives of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. On this issue, Karampetian expressed his frustrations with the decisions of the Prime Minister of Armenia to close the case of Nagorno-Karabakh in the Republic of Armenia, while foreign countries are defending the fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The president also mentioned that as a representative of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy and the Europeans For Artsakh platform, the withdrawal of the European Union’s Observation Mission is an unacceptable demand by Azerbaijan and its mandate needs to be encouraged and defended by Belgium.
Following the President’s remarks, many Parliamentarians raised their questions and concerns. Most specifically revolved around the issue of the Armenian refugees of Nagorno-Karabakh and the necessity to increase the humanitarian aid of the EU and of the aid Belgium provides to them. Additionally, parliamentarians inquired under which conditions the refugees could return to Nagorno-Karabakh.
The proposed resolutions will be voted on by the Belgian Federal Parliament at the end of May.