Armenia and Azerbaijan face a new battle, but this time it is before the International Court of Justice. After Azerbaijan’s lightning offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh last September, Armenia is demanding that the UN court order its neighbor to withdraw its troops from the enclave and return displaced Armenians.
This Armenian request led to a hearing at the ICJ. The debates come just weeks after the offensive by Azerbaijani forces which led to the flight of almost the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh has just announced its dissolution on January 1, 2024.
Armenia’s goal before the International Court of Justice is clear: obtain an order for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Nagorno-Karabakh and allow displaced Armenians to return safely to the breakaway region. Yerevan also wants Azerbaijan to refrain from making it difficult for displaced people to return and ensure their freedom to leave Nagorno-Karabakh without obstacles.
This territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan dates back to the end of the Russian Empire and was marked by two wars between 1988 and 1994, as well as a confrontation in the fall of 2020. The Nagorno-Karabakh region, populated mainly by Armenians, was historically attached to Azerbaijan, but proclaimed its unilateral independence in 1991 with the support of Armenia.
However, the international community has never recognized the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The hearings before the ICJ mark a new stage in the long legal battle between the two countries. In January, Armenia had already accused Azerbaijan of carrying out a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” to eliminate the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, allegations rejected by Baku.
This legal battle has also spread to other international courts, as Armenia recently took a key step to join the International Criminal Court. This decision aroused indignation in Russia, Armenia’s traditional ally. Indeed, the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of war crimes for the deportation of Ukrainian children.
For the moment, it is difficult to predict the outcome of this legal conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The International Court of Justice has no power to enforce its decisions, which raises uncertainties regarding the implementation of possible recommendations issued by the ICJ.
The future of Nagorno-Karabakh therefore remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the legal battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to rage. The ICJ’s decision could be a major turning point in this long-running territorial dispute, providing a glimmer of hope for a peaceful and lasting resolution.