Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Fuad Huseynov attended the next OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) in Warsaw, Poland, on September 16-21, 2019.
Democratic institutions and elections, media freedom, security of reporters, tolerance, and the rule of law were discussed at the working sessions organized within the meeting. Humanitarian issues, refugees and displaced persons and persons at risk of displacement were on the agenda of the HDIM Working Session 9.
Attending the session, F. Huseynov said at the start of his speech that Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs are wondering when they will return to their homeland and why international community is indifferent to restore their fundamental rights in this regard.
The Deputy Chairman said that more than 1 million people from Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions became displaced as a result of the ongoing military occupation of Armenia. He stressed that the Armenian leadership is putting the region under threat and at risk to distract the public from domestic problems.
The change in power in Armenia increased expectations about the settlement of the conflict. However, the latest provocative and destructive statement by the Armenian leadership saying "Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Armenia that’s all" once again demonstrates disgusting occupation policy that skilfully hides under the guise of "peoples' right to self-determination." The statement is a total disrespect to the international community, particularly the OSCE Minsk Group, which seeks to resolve the conflict peacefully. It strikes the peace process in the region and causes increase in tension. Azerbaijan urges the international community to condemn the statement.
It was noted that Azerbaijan fulfils the requirements of the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and that the current experience regarding IDPs is an example in the world. It was stressed that under the instruction of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, temporary housing is constructed and put into operation to improve the living conditions of IDPs. Important steps are taken to solve their social problems and to allow them benefit from many public services with special concession. At the instruction of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, IDPs living in the harshest conditions are moved to new housing areas first.
It was noted that despite the work done, the complete settlement of the IDP problem in Azerbaijan will be possible through the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the safe and dignified return of refugees to their lands.
It was emphasized that Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan. The international community recognizes and supports the territorial integrity of our country. Azerbaijan is determined to restore its territorial integrity recognized by international law soon and achieve the return of civilian populations to their native land. Thus, the rule of international law will be ensured.
