Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help de-escalate recent violence in Artsakh or Nagorno-Karabakh.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK Government was clear in publicly calling for an end to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, and has called on all parties to avoid any future escalatory actions. Ministers have raised the importance of de-escalation directly with Azerbaijani counterparts. Lord Ahmed met Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov on the 23 September in New York, I [Minister Docherty] called Bayramov on 28 September and the Foreign Secretary spoke with Bayramov on 17 October. Ministers have also engaged with Armenia on issues relating to the conflict. I [Minister Docherty] spoke to Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan on the 28 September, and the Foreign Secretary called Mirzoyan on 10 October.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure Azerbaijan’s compliance with international law on prevention of atrocity crimes.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK believes that those who commit atrocities in armed conflicts need to be held accountable. We call on states and non-state actors engaged in armed conflict to respect international humanitarian law, and to act in accordance with their obligations under it. In the case of Azerbaijani military action in Nagorno-Karabakh in September, the UK was vocal in calling for an end to the conflict, the protection of civilians and for immediate humanitarian access. The UN and other international actors have subsequently been granted access to the region.
Asked by: Fleur Anderson (Labour - Putney)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help mitigate the risk of atrocity crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh in the context of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces and military activity by Azerbaijani forces in that region.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK believes that those who commit atrocities in armed conflicts need to be held accountable. We call on states and non-state actors engaged in armed conflict to respect international humanitarian law, and to act in accordance with their obligations under it. In the case of Azerbaijani military action in Nagorno-Karabakh in September, the UK was vocal in calling for an end to the conflict, the protection of civilians and for immediate humanitarian access. The UN and other international actors have subsequently been granted access to the region.
Oral Evidence Oct. 17 2023
Inquiry: Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for UK-EU relationsFound: For me, if I look at other conflicts in the post-Soviet space—say, Nagorno-Karabakh—I do not see a
Mentions:
1: Baroness Helic (Con - Life peer) Herzegovina.This debate comes at a time of global insecurity: from Ukraine to Sudan, from Kosovo to Nagorno-Karabakh - Speech Link
2: Earl of Sandwich (XB - Excepted Hereditary) 30 fully armed KFOR troops. - Speech Link
3: Lord Browne of Ladyton (Lab - Life peer) The rapidity with which Nagorno-Karabakh receded into history last month was a direct consequence of - Speech Link
4: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) noble Lords referred to the current conflict in the Middle East and contagion. - Speech Link
Asked by: Stephen Doughty (Labour (Co-op) - Cardiff South and Penarth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the humanitarian and security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh; and when he last spoke to his counterparts in (a) Armenia and (b) Azerbaijan.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has improved since the 20 September ceasefire, which has held since 23 September. However, the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the significant refugee flows from Nagorno-Karabakh into Armenia, has placed local communities under immense pressure. It is vital that international humanitarian organisations have independent access into Nagorno-Karabakh, so they can assess humanitarian need and respond appropriately. We therefore welcome Azerbaijan's decision on 1 October to allow UN agencies into Nagorno-Karabakh, to complement ongoing efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Foreign Secretary spoke to his Armenian counterpart on 10 and will speak to his Azerbaijani counterpart on 18 October. I [Minister Docherty] spoke to both Foreign Ministers on 28 September".
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Coventry (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan to allow international observers into Nagorno-Karabakh to monitor the ceasefire agreement of 20 September.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is vital that international humanitarian organisations have independent access into Nagorno-Karabakh, so they can assess humanitarian need and respond appropriately. His Majesty's Ambassador to Baku raised this with Azerbaijani officials, We therefore welcome Azerbaijan's decision on 1 October to allow UN agencies into Nagorno-Karabakh, to complement ongoing efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Coventry (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Azerbaijan’s military offensive of 19 September in Nagorno-Karabakh; and what representations they have made to that government to encourage it to cease the offensive to allow for a resumption of negotiations with Karabakh Armenians on outstanding issues.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The return of conflict to Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September was devastating for the local population; the subsequent ceasefire announced on 20 September must now be upheld by all parties. The Azerbaijani Government must continue to engage in talks with ethnic Armenian representatives in Nagorno-Karabakh and ensure that it delivers on its humanitarian commitments. I [Lord Ahmad] raised this at the UN Security Council on 21 September and with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 23 September. Direct dialogue is the only way to secure stability and security for the region.
Found: What is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh?
Mentions:
1: Earl of Courtown (CON - Excepted Hereditary) My Lords, Tuesday brought devastating news of the resumption of armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. - Speech Link
2: Baroness Cox (CB - Life peer) My Lords, I was in Armenia and at the border of Nagorno-Karabakh last week. - Speech Link
3: Lord Reid of Cardowan (LAB - Life peer) The problems in Nagorno-Karabakh are intractable and have gone on for many years: I remember visiting - Speech Link