Baku, December 21, AZERTAC

Participants of a protest action, which is being held on the Shusha-Khankandi road against the illegal exploitation of natural resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territories where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, have issued a statement regarding a lop-sided and biased assessment to this peaceful action by certain states at a UN Security Council meeting.

AZERTAC presents the statement: “We, representatives of non-governmental organizations, hereby express our deep regret over the fact that certain states have given a lop-sided and biased assessment to the peaceful protest action against the illegal exploitation of natural resources and environmental terrorism being committed in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed at a UN Security Council meeting on 20 December 2022, and the fact that discussions held there do not reflect the actual situation on the ground.

The fact that Armenia and France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, have unilaterally abused this platform in an effort to mislead the international community and to engage in dirty propaganda is unacceptable. Undesirable attempts of this nature do nothing to achieve a lasting peace in the region, but rather aggravate the situation even further. Armenia, the criminal dealers in Karabakh and a number of war criminals are deliberately turning the local population into hostages of their policies, preventing their contacts with the Azerbaijani side and trying to create an atmosphere of an artificial “humanitarian catastrophe”.

It is also unacceptable for Armenia to make completely unfounded claims for the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan in the UN Security Council, and such an approach runs counter to the fundamental principles of the Security Council.

We reiterate that the protest action is of peaceful nature, as representatives of the civil society call for an end to the plundering of Azerbaijan's natural resources and to the irreparable damage being caused to the environment. We view the disregard for our legitimate concerns in the discussions at the UN Security Council as a manifestation of disrespect, prejudice and a selective approach to civil society.

We would like to emphasize with regret that the UN Security Council as the main body responsible for the protection of peace and security around the world turned a blind eye to the 30 years of Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories, to the policy of ethnic cleansing, to the Khojaly genocide, to the expulsion of more than a million Azerbaijanis from their homes, to the deliberate and consistent destruction of the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, to destruction and looting, to the policy of illegal settlement, and did not take any steps to enforce the implementation of its own resolutions. It is unfortunate that the UN Security Council has become a hostage of double standards.

It is obvious from the information provided by the media and individual social network users from the ground that humanitarian cargo, passenger vehicles, ambulance and other humanitarian vehicles can move freely along the road and participants in the protest action have created all conditions for that. In addition, a hotline has been established by NGOs for a prompt resolution of the humanitarian problems of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of our country. Therefore, any claims that residents of Armenian origin are allegedly in a “blockade” are completely groundless.

As participants of the protest action, we demand an end to the use of the Lachin road for military purposes and to the looting of Azerbaijan’s natural resources. The Lachin-Shusha-Khankandi road is the sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

We also vehemently condemn the attempts of the Armenian government and Armenian illegal armed units in the territories of Azerbaijan where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed to intimidate residents of Armenian descent and prevent their reintegration into Azerbaijan. We call on the residents of Armenian origin to live together.

As representatives of civil society, we once again declare that our readiness to mobilize our resources to eliminate any humanitarian problems our citizens of Armenian origin living in Karabakh may have.”

The statement was adopted by the following NGOs:

1. “Azerbaijan Society of Young Scientists, Postgraduates and Masters” Public Union - Ilgar Orujov

2. “Eurasian Migration Initiatives Platform” Public Union - Azer Allahveranov

3. “Priority” Socio-Economic Research Center Public Union - Zaur Ibrahimov

4. “Umid” Support for Social Development Public Union - Israyil Isgandarov

5. "Virtual Karabakh" Information Communication Technologies Youth Public Union - Nuraddin Mehdiyev

6. “Citizen” Research and Development Public Union - Gunel Safarova

7. “Towards a Healthy Life" Ecological Public Union - Hasanov Sadig Huseyn oglu

8. “Ecologist-2010" Environmental Awareness Public Union - Balayev Salim Loghman oglu

9. “Eko-Alem” Public Union - Yuzbasheva Sevil Ismayil gizi

10. Ecological Information Public Union - Muradli Musa Heydar oglu

11. “EkoSfera" Social Ecological Center - Firuza Sultanzade

12. “Ekoleks" Environmental Law Center Public Union - Isayeva Sevil Hajibala gizi

13. "Eko-TES" Environmental Research and Education Public Union - Nazarov Chingiz Manaf oglu

14. Environmental Education and Monitoring Public Union - Yusubova Gamza Khanlar gizi

15. "Promotion of culture and national traditions" Public Union - Etibar Mammadov

16. “Social-Economic and Environmental Development" Public Union - Rahila Mehtiyeva

17. "Green World" Environmental Awareness Public Union - Jafarli Elman Niyazil oglu

18. Ecologist Environmental Protection Public Union - Huseynli Rubaba Alishirin gizi

19. Support to Environmental Awareness Public Union - Huseynov Tarverdi Tapdig oglu

20. “Youth Education Center” Public Union - Fakhraddin Hasanzade

21. “Sema” and Support for EcoSocial-Economic Development Public Union - Hasanova Irada Israfil gizi

22. "Travelers" Research and Promotion of Natural Resources and Environment Public Association - Rashad Mammadli

23. "Common values" Public Union - Agil Jamal

24. “Support for Health” Public Union - Elchin Mukhtarli

25. “Water Resource Specialists” Public Union - Amin Mammadov

26. “Support for the Development of Sustainable Tourism” Public Union - Narmina Garibova

27. “World of Law” Juridical Promotion Public Union - Zaur Guliyev

28. “Youth Contribution” Public Union - Mahsati Huseynova

29. “Support for Innovative Education of Women and Children” Public Union - Aynur Zulfugarova

30. National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan - Rauf Zeyni

31. Organization of War, Labor and Armed Forces Veterans - Jalil Khalilov

32. International Eurasia Press Fund - Umud Mirzayev

33. Constitution Researches Foundation - Alimammad Nuriyev

34. Citizen's Labor Rights Protection League - Sahib Mammadov

35. Association for the Protection of Women's Rights named after Dilara Aliyeva - Novella Jafarova

36. “Protection of Human Rights and Law Order” Public Union - Saltanat Gojamanli

37. “Azerbaijan National Section of International Society for Human Rights” Public Union - Saadat Bananyarli

38. “Research of Social Rights” Public Union - Mayis Aliyev

39. “Biosphere” Public Union - Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli

40. “Free Consumers” Public Union - Eyyub Huseynov

41. "Azerbaijan Patriotic War Veterans" Public Union - Fuzuli Rzaguliyev

42. "Education of the Youth by Demobilized Servicemen" Public Union - Emin Hasanli

43. “Legal Analysis and Research” Public Union - Ramil Isgandarli

44. Support to the Development of Public Relations Public Union - Shalala Hasanova

45. “Learning Democracy” Public Union - Mirali Huseynov

46. "Support to Information Initiatives" Public Union - Jasarat Huseynzade

47. "Children of Azerbaijan" Public Union - Kamala Aghazade

48. Azerbaijan Democratic Student Youth Organization - Asif Asgarli

49. “Clean World” Aid to Women Public Union - Mehriban Zeynalova

50. “Economics” International Economic Research Association Public Union - Fikrat Yusifov

51. “Support for Innovative Initiatives in the Media” Public Union - Mushfig Alasgarli

52. “Baku Oratory School” Public Union - Elchin Mirzabayli

53. “Civil Enlightenment Public Union - Elshad Mammadli

54. Social Strategic Studies and Analytical Research Public Union - Ilgar Huseynli

55. Organization for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan Public Union - Faig Ismayilov

56. “Healthy development and Awareness” Public Union - Anar Khalilov

57. Azerbaijani-American Youth Public Union - Vugar Ahmadov

58. Azerbaijan Journalists Network Public Union - Ayaz Mirzayev

59. “Scientific Research” Public Union - Telman Gasimov

60. Association for the Protection of Women's Rights Association - Dilara Afandiyeva

61. “Center for Political Technologies” Public Union - Vali Alibayov

62. Center of Azerbaijani Youth Rights Protection Public Union - Elchin Salmanov

63. “Support for Soldiers’ Families” Public Union - Matanat Asgargizi

64. “Journalism and Development Center” Public Union - Elmaddin Muradov

65. “Center for European Integration” Public Union - Sayyad Majidov

66. “Support for Economic and Social Research" Public Union - Eyyub Karimli

67. “Ghurur” Charitable Public Association of Martyrs Families - Naiba Behbudova

68. “Muvekkil Legal Center” Public Union - Samad Vakilov

69. “ELM” Public Union for Support of Social and Intellectual Development of Youth - Sabuhi Abdullayev

70. “Kamillik" Legal Awareness of Citizens Public Union - Niyaz Niftiyev

71. GEYD Social Awareness Public Union - Tural Nurmammadov

72. Support for Women's and Children's Education Public Association - Sevinj Fadai

73. Legal Social Assistance and Awareness Public Union - Fariz Akbarov

74. Integration to Globalized World Public Union - Aghayev Ilkin

75. “Tereggi" Youth Development Public Union - Safarov Raji

76. "Dayag" Social Awareness Public Union - Hijran Almammadova

77. “Origami” Children and Teenagers Public Union - Namig Najafov

78. Healthcare and Healthy Life Public Union - Konul Alizada

79. Azerbaijan Disabled People's Society Public Union - Khadija Mikayilova

80. “Women World” Public Union - Kifayat Niftaliyeva

81. “Support for Children and Teenagers” Public Union - Farhad Abdulov

82. “Central Asia and South Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network” Public Union - Nadir Ismayilov

83. Support to Innovative Initiatives Public Union - Abbas Panahov

84. Center for Legal and Democratic Reforms Public Union - Ilham Aliyev

85. Youth League for Intercultural Cooperation Public Union - Elchin Chobanzade

86. Social Support Public Union - Garanfil Niftaliyeva

87. “Khankandi” Support for IDP’s Public Union - Khatira Valiyeva

88. “Social Assistance to Women War Veterans” Public Union - Rada Abbas

89. Truth Historical Research Public Union - Elnara Abbasova

90. Public Union for Provision of Rights of the 20 January Events’ Martyrs Families - Maral Zamanova

91. National Values Awareness Public Union - Gulshan Behbudova

92. “Financial and Moral Support for the Families of Martyrs” Public Union - Nazakat Hasanova

93. “Azerbaijan Tafakkur Youth Association” Public Union - Emin Shirvanzade

94. Association of Women Journalists - Sevil Yusifova

95. “Silent World” Support for Disabled People and Athletes Using Sign Language Public Union - Aida Safarova

96. “Optimist” Support for Solution of Social Problems Public Union - Habil Niftali

97. “Enlightenment on Regional Socio-Economic Development” Public Union - Elnara Maharramova

98. “Support for Youth Initiative and Development” Public Union - Toghrul Allahverdili

99. “Media Research and Monitoring Center" Public Union - Shahbazov Shadman

100. “Social Support for the Families of Martyrs” Public Union - Almaz Zeynalova

101. Sakura Azerbaijan-Japan Public Union - Tarana Huseynova

102. Non-Aligned Movement Youth Network - Ordukhan Gahramanzada