Pashinyan Suggests Giving Up Lawsuits Against Azerbaijan in International Courts; Faces Strong Backlash from Legal Experts

During ongoing negotiations between Yerevan and Baku, a contentious topic has surfaced, sparking heated debate within Armenia's political corridors. The prospect of abandoning legal actions against Azerbaijan in international courts has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, raising concerns over potential ramifications for Armenia's sovereignty and the rights of its people.

The Opposition's Discontent:

During a recent government session, Lilit Galstyan, a prominent figure within the "Hayastan" faction, voiced her apprehension over the proposed move. Galstyan expressed vehement opposition, arguing that such concessions would compromise Armenia's national interests, leading to irreversible losses across legal, diplomatic, cultural, and strategic domains. By relinquishing legal recourse, Galstyan warned of legitimizing Azerbaijan's aggression and genocidal acts, jeopardizing Armenia's territorial integrity and the well-being of its citizens.

Pashinyan's Perspective:

In response to Galstyan's concerns, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan defended the government's position, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to the peace process. Pashinyan highlighted the importance of assessing the broader context and exploring avenues for achieving stable and lasting peace. While acknowledging Armenia's inherent truths, Pashinyan stressed the importance of pragmatism in navigating complex geopolitical realities.

Navigating a Delicate Balance:

Pashinyan articulated a nuanced stance, asserting that Armenia remains open to discussions on mutual withdrawal of legal cases if conducive to peace efforts. However, he cautioned against unilateral concessions, reiterating Armenia's commitment to safeguarding its interests and ensuring accountability for past injustices.

The Implications of Withdrawal:

Critics of the proposed withdrawal highlight its potential repercussions, citing the lawsuits as crucial instruments for upholding Armenia's rights and seeking international justice. These legal avenues, they argue, serve as vital mechanisms for addressing human rights violations, protecting cultural heritage, and securing the collective interests of Armenia and Artsakh.

A Unified Call to Action:

In a joint statement, prominent figures including Gegham Stepanyan, Arman Tatoyan, Artak Beglaryan, Siranush Sahakyan, and Ara Ghazaryan highlight the gravity of the situation. They urged Armenian authorities to refrain from any actions that would undermine ongoing legal proceedings against Azerbaijan. Instead, they called for renewed efforts to pursue justice through all available channels, emphasizing the importance of international accountability in safeguarding Armenia's future.

Expert Opinion:

In a statement to The Armenian Report, Siranush Sahakyan, president of the International and Comparative Law Center and practicing attorney who represents Armenian POWs in court said, “Armenia’s government is under pressure from Azerbaijan, which suppressed the self-determination of Artsakh through the illegal use of force and seeks to extinguish it. Ongoing legal processes hold the potential to reverse the situation and pose a risk for Azerbaijan. By compelling Armenian authorities to withdraw from the ongoing judicial proceedings, Artsakh’s and Armenian rights and legal demands would be abandoned permanently. In evaluating the potential abandonment of complaints, our goal is to prevent this scenario by garnering public attention and pressure. Simultaneously, we are ramping up our efforts in international forums by strengthening the individual cases to establish counterbalances. Our endeavor also includes incorporating legal questions regarding the right to self-determination of Artsakh and the protection of Armenians into individual complaints.”