Today, more than 100 NGOs of Azerbaijan made a statement regarding the illegal exploitation of the natural resources and environmental terrorism in the territories of Azerbaijan.
The text of the Statement is as follows:
“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 of our citizens of Armenian origin living in Karabakh may have.”
The statement was adopted by the following NGOs:
- “Azerbaijan Society of Young Scientists, Postgraduates and Masters” Public
Union – Ilgar Orujov - “Eurasian Migration Initiatives Platform” Public Union – Azer Allahveranov
- “Priority” Socio-Economic Research Center Public Union – Zaur Ibrahimov
- “Umid” Support for Social Development Public Union – Israyil Isgandarov
- “Virtual Karabakh” Information Communication Technologies Youth Public
Union – Nuraddin Mehdiyev - “Citizen” Research and Development Public Union – Gunel Safarova
- “Towards a Healthy Life” Ecological Public Union – Hasanov Sadig Huseyn
oglu - “Ecologist-2010″ Environmental Awareness Public Union – Balayev Salim
Loghman oglu - “Eko-Alem” Public Union – Yuzbasheva Sevil Ismayil gizi
- Ecological Information Public Union – Muradli Musa Heydar oglu
- “EkoSfera” Social Ecological Center – Firuza Sultanzade
- “Ekoleks” Environmental Law Center Public Union – Isayeva Sevil Hajibala
gizi - “Eko-TES” Environmental Research and Education Public Union – Nazarov
Chingiz Manaf oglu - Environmental Education and Monitoring Public Union – Yusubova Gamza
Khanlar gizi - “Promotion of culture and national traditions” Public Union – Etibar
Mammadov - “Social-Economic and Environmental Development” Public Union – Rahila
Mehtiyeva - “Green World” Environmental Awareness Public Union – Jafarli Elman Niyazil
oglu - Ecologist Environmental Protection Public Union – Huseynli Rubaba Alishirin
gizi - Support to Environmental Awareness Public Union – Huseynov Tarverdi
Tapdig oglu - “Youth Education Center” Public Union – Fakhraddin Hasanzade
- “Sema” and Support for EcoSocial-Economic Development Public Union –
Hasanova Irada Israfil gizi - “Travelers” Research and Promotion of Natural Resources and Environment
Public Association – Rashad Mammadli - “Common values” Public Union – Agil Jamal
- “Support for Health” Public Union – Elchin Mukhtarli
- “Water Resource Specialists” Public Union – Amin Mammadov
- “Support for the Development of Sustainable Tourism” Public Union –
Narmina Garibova - “World of Law” Juridical Promotion Public Union – Zaur Guliyev
- “Youth Contribution” Public Union – Mahsati Huseynova
- “Support for Innovative Education of Women and Children” Public Union –
Aynur Zulfugarova - National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan – Rauf Zeyni
- Organization of War, Labor and Armed Forces Veterans – Jalil Khalilov
- International Eurasia Press Fund – Umud Mirzayev
- Constitution Researches Foundation – Alimammad Nuriyev
- Citizen’s Labor Rights Protection League – Sahib Mammadov
- Association for the Protection of Women’s Rights named after Dilara Aliyeva
– Novella Jafarova - “Protection of Human Rights and Law Order” Public Union – Saltanat
Gojamanli - “Azerbaijan National Section of International Society for Human Rights”
Public Union – Saadat Bananyarli - “Research of Social Rights” Public Union – Mayis Aliyev
- “Biosphere” Public Union – Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli
- “Free Consumers” Public Union – Eyyub Huseynov
- “Azerbaijan Patriotic War Veterans” Public Union – Fuzuli Rzaguliyev
- “Education of the Youth by Demobilized Servicemen” Public Union – Emin
Hasanli - “Legal Analysis and Research” Public Union – Ramil Isgandarli
- Support to the Development of Public Relations Public Union – Shalala
Hasanova - “Learning Democracy” Public Union – Mirali Huseynov
- “Support to Information Initiatives” Public Union – Jasarat Huseynzade
- “Children of Azerbaijan” Public Union – Kamala Aghazade
- Azerbaijan Democratic Student Youth Organization – Asif Asgarli
- “Clean World” Aid to Women Public Union – Mehriban Zeynalova
- “Economics” International Economic Research Association Public Union –
Fikrat Yusifov - “Support for Innovative Initiatives in the Media” Public Union – Mushfig
Alasgarli - “Baku Oratory School” Public Union – Elchin Mirzabayli
- “Civil Enlightenment Public Union – Elshad Mammadli
- Social Strategic Studies and Analytical Research Public Union – Ilgar
Huseynli - Organization for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments in the
Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan Public Union – Faig Ismayilov - “Healthy development and Awareness” Public Union – Anar Khalilov
- Azerbaijani-American Youth Public Union – Vugar Ahmadov
- Azerbaijan Journalists Network Public Union – Ayaz Mirzayev
- “Scientific Research” Public Union – Telman Gasimov
- Association for the Protection of Women’s Rights Association – Dilara
Afandiyeva - “Center for Political Technologies” Public Union – Vali Alibayov
- Center of Azerbaijani Youth Rights Protection Public Union – Elchin
Salmanov - “Support for Soldiers’ Families” Public Union – Matanat Asgargizi
- “Journalism and Development Center” Public Union – Elmaddin Muradov
- “Center for European Integration” Public Union – Sayyad Majidov
- “Support for Economic and Social Research” Public Union – Eyyub Karimli
- “Ghurur” Charitable Public Association of Martyrs Families – Naiba
Behbudova - “Muvekkil Legal Center” Public Union – Samad Vakilov
- “ELM” Public Union for Support of Social and Intellectual Development of
Youth – Sabuhi Abdullayev - “Kamillik” Legal Awareness of Citizens Public Union – Niyaz Niftiyev
- GEYD Social Awareness Public Union – Tural Nurmammadov
- Support for Women’s and Children’s Education Public Association – Sevinj
Fadai - Legal Social Assistance and Awareness Public Union – Fariz Akbarov
- Integration to Globalized World Public Union – Aghayev Ilkin
- “Tereggi” Youth Development Public Union – Safarov Raji
- “Dayag” Social Awareness Public Union – Hijran Almammadova
- “Origami” Children and Teenagers Public Union – Namig Najafov
- Healthcare and Healthy Life Public Union – Konul Alizada
- Azerbaijan Disabled People’s Society Public Union – Khadija Mikayilova
- “Women World” Public Union – Kifayat Niftaliyeva
- “Support for Children and Teenagers” Public Union – Farhad Abdulov
- “Central Asia and South Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network” Public
Union – Nadir Ismayilov - Support to Innovative Initiatives Public Union – Abbas Panahov
- Center for Legal and Democratic Reforms Public Union – Ilham Aliyev
- Youth League for Intercultural Cooperation Public Union – Elchin
Chobanzade - Social Support Public Union – Garanfil Niftaliyeva
- “Khankandi” Support for IDP’s Public Union – Khatira Valiyeva
- “Social Assistance to Women War Veterans” Public Union – Rada Abbas
- Truth Historical Research Public Union – Elnara Abbasova
- Public Union for Provision of Rights of the 20 January Events’ Martyrs
Families – Maral Zamanova - National Values Awareness Public Union – Gulshan Behbudova
- “Financial and Moral Support for the Families of Martyrs” Public Union –
Nazakat Hasanova - “Azerbaijan Tafakkur Youth Association” Public Union – Emin Shirvanzade
- Association of Women Journalists – Sevil Yusifova
- “Silent World” Support for Disabled People and Athletes Using Sign
Language Public Union – Aida Safarova - “Optimist” Support for Solution of Social Problems Public Union – Habil Niftali
- “Enlightenment on Regional Socio-Economic Development” Public Union –
Elnara Maharramova - “Support for Youth Initiative and Development” Public Union – Toghrul
Allahverdili - “Media Research and Monitoring Center” Public Union – Shahbazov
Shadman - “Social Support for the Families of Martyrs” Public Union – Almaz Zeynalova
- Sakura Azerbaijan-Japan Public Union – Tarana Huseynova
- Non-Aligned Movement Youth Network – Ordukhan Gahramanzada