Title: “Armenia and Azerbaijan before the International Court of Justice: A legal battle for Nagorno-Karabakh”
Introduction :
Armenia and Azerbaijan come face to face at the International Court of Justice for a crucial hearing over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This meeting comes a few weeks after Azerbaijan’s rapid offensive in this disputed region. Armenia asks the court to compel Azerbaijan to withdraw its forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and allow displaced Armenians to return safely to the region. This legal battle represents a new chapter in the long conflict that has tormented the region.
The context of the conflict:
Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region claimed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan, has been the scene of multiple clashes since the end of the Russian Empire. Armenians consider this region their own and proclaimed independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Nagorno-Karabakh separatists have since clashed with Azerbaijan several times, sparking two wars between 1988 and 1994 and in the fall of 2020. Despite Armenia’s support, the international community has never recognized the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Armenian request before the ICJ:
Armenia has appealed to the International Court of Justice to demand the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Nagorno-Karabakh and the return of displaced Armenians to the region. Yerevan asks the Court to order Azerbaijan to withdraw “all military and police personnel from all civilian establishments in Nagorno-Karabakh occupied since its armed attack”. Additionally, Armenia calls on Azerbaijan to allow the safe and rapid return of those displaced during the recent attack and guarantee the freedom to leave the region for those who wish to do so.
A series of legal battles:
The hearing before the International Court of Justice is the latest in a series of legal battles between the two rival countries. In January, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of carrying out a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” aimed at expelling the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. Claims that were rejected by Baku, which called on Armenian residents to stay and reintegrate into Azerbaijan. In February, the ICJ ordered Azerbaijan to ensure free movement in the Lachin corridor, a vital route for supplying the population of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia.
Conclusion :
The ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh now finds a new battleground before the International Court of Justice. The stakes are high for both sides as they seek satisfaction on the issues of troop withdrawal and return of displaced people. However, it is important to remember that ICJ decisions are not binding, which highlights the limits of resolving the conflict through legal channels. The finalization of this legal battle could nevertheless have significant repercussions on the future evolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.