Statement On Non-Compliance of Azerbaijan with the International Humanitarian Law delivered by the Permanent Delegation of Armenia at the 1026th Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council

20 November, 2014

November 20, 2014

Mr. Chairman,
We would like to invite the attention of the participating States to non-compliance of Azerbaijan with the international humanitarian law.

At the last session of the Permanent Council, the Armenian delegation referred to the shooting down by the Azerbaijani armed forces of MI-24 helicopter of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army, which was conducting a training flight.

The Azerbaijani side continues to prevent the attempts of rescue teams to approach the helicopter by consistently firing and attacking them.

Likewise, the attempts to engage the ICRC and the Personal representative of the OSCE CiO for evacuation of the members of the crew and the observation of the site has been so far rejected by Azerbaijan. Thus, Azerbaijan has been explicitly violating "Geneva Convention on the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field". Article 15 of the Convention stipulates an obligation to all parties to the conflict, without delay, to "take all possible measures to search for and collect the wounded and sick, ... and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled".

Armenia calls on Azerbaijani authorities to comply with the international humanitarian law and cease military activities aimed at denying access to the crew. Azerbaijan holds all responsibility for the escalation of the situation on the ground.

Thank You.

MFA RA
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