01.09.2023


On August 23, 2023 Juan Mendez, Former Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide (2004-2007), Professor of Human Rights Law in Residence, Commissioner, International Commission of Jurists, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture (2010-16) provided a PRELIMINARY OPINION on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and on the need for the international community to adopt measures to prevent atrocity crimes.

Under the circumstances, it is my considered opinion that the facts outlined above constitute sufficient reason to proffer an early warning to the international community that the population of Nagorno-Karabakh is at risk of suffering “serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” (Article 2, paragraph b of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide). The state parties of the Genocide Convention are committed to prevent the crime, and the international community should exercise its responsibilities to protect that population.

The full report could be find here: https://un.mfa.am/file_manager/un_mission/Preliminary%20Opinion%20-%2023.08.2023.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0ydh2YB6zd2brS1mQRwUSuCIeSZDqODmB3Js3P5aDfywDIGzIoxthcUIA։