THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS

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General Debate of the Third Committee of the General Assembly at its 75th session 7 October 2020 Delivered by Lala Mehdiyeva, Third Secretary

Madame Chair, Allow me at the outset to congratulate you and other members of the Bureau on your election and assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation. We align ourselves with the joint statement delivered by Cuba on behalf of 45 countries on Xinjiang, and the joint statement delivered by Pakistan of behalf of 55 countries on Hong Kong. This is a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the global human rights landscape and reversed progress in many areas, as identified in many of the reports under the consideration of the 3rd Committee. The Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on Covid-19 and Human Rights makes it clear that human rights cannot be neglected and should be at the frontline in the fight against the pandemic. While the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, my country is also defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the foreign aggressor. On 27 September 2020, Armenian armed forces launched a large-scale military assault against Azerbaijan, targeting both the military and the civilians. The armed forces of Azerbaijan have taken necessary countermeasures to repulse the attack and ensure the safety of its civilian population. With this action, Armenia has once again demonstrated absence of respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. Foreign mercenaries have been recruited as “volunteers” and used in combat operations against Azerbaijan. 30 Azerbaijani civilians were killed and 144 wounded. 66 civilian facilities and 427 houses have been destroyed. The casualties include women and children. An entire family of five was annihilated. These war crimes must be investigated and perpetrators of these egregious crimes brought to justice. Impunity only encourages further killings, leading to a vicious cycle of violence and destruction. Armenia’s targeted attacks include Ganja, the second largest city of Azerbaijan, Mingachevir, which hosts a reservoir dam and hydro-power plant, two regions in the vicinity of the capital city – Absheron and Khizi, as well as Yevlakh, Beylagan and Goranboy regions – all beyond the conflict zone. A cluster rocket fired yesterday landed only 10 meters from the Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan pipeline, which is of primary importance for the energy security and development of our region as it carries oil from the Caspian Sea to Europe. Against the background of decades-long buildup of deep-rooted animosity and aggression against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis, Armenian military-political leadership is unleashing its true brutality yet again to satisfy the ultimate goal of subjecting Azerbaijanis to suffering and loss, like it happened in February 1992 when in a single night Armenian armed forces massacred almost the entire population of the Khojaly town of Azerbaijan. This has been recognized as genocide and crime against humanity by number of States and international organizations. The Republic of Azerbaijan has repeatedly brought to the attention of the international community that the continuation of Armenia’s aggression and its unlawful presence in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are the main causes of the war and the reoccurring escalations on the ground. Having committed ethnic cleansing in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, Armenia has attempted to introduce the Armenians of the region as its sole population. The illegality of the ethnically constructed subordinate regime established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan has been repeatedly stated at the international level in the most unambiguous manner. Armenia conveniently distorts and misinterprets the right of self-determination to justify its military occupation, and, notwithstanding the concept of self-determination adopted in international law, attempts to impose the view that this principle may be applied in the form of unilateral secession for the Armenian ethnic minority living in Azerbaijan. In its unanimously adopted resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993), the Security Council unequivocally condemned the use of force against Azerbaijan and the occupation of its territories; reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the inviolability of international borders; confirmed that the Nagorno-Karabakh region is part of Azerbaijan; and demanded the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The numerous documents of other international organizations, expressing the unified position of the world community, are framed along the same lines. Azerbaijan has repeatedly reiterated the need for a peaceful coexistence of Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the Nagorno Karabakh. Unfortunately, this has not resonated with the short-sighted leadership of Armenia.

Madame Chair, Despite these difficult times, the Government of Azerbaijan has continued addressing social and economic needs of the population. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, social-economic stimulus package worth 2 billion USD has been released to ensure economic stability and tackle employment issues. Social relief measures cover nearly 5 million people, half of our population. Pensions were raised by 27%, average salary – by 50%. These figures speak for themselves. A record number of IDPs – around 7,000 families - will be provided with free housing by the end of this year. Social benefits for IDPs have been increased by 50% and even 100% in some cases. At the same time, only the return of IDPs to their homes can fully restore their rights. We attach high importance to preserving ethnic minority languages and protecting the history and identity of ethnic minorities living in Azerbaijan. 35,000 schoolchildren in 225 State schools are taught in languages of their respective ethnic communities. Through the “National Action Program to improve the effectiveness of the protection of human rights and freedoms in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, human rights education for children has significantly expanded. The Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan together with the Ministry of Education carry out trainings intended to raise human rights awareness in children on an annual basis. Human rights are interdependent and interrelated. They both entitle us and oblige us. And ultimately, the realization of human rights is a prerequisite for peaceful and democratic societies. Thank you.