Armenia is pushing forward with its case against Azerbaijan at the International Court of Justice, accusing the country of breaching an international convention aimed at eliminating racial discrimination. The legal dispute stems from the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region within Azerbaijan that had been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since 1994. Azerbaijan argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case, as the two countries had not engaged in serious negotiations prior to Armenia filing the lawsuit.
Armenia’s legal team at the International Court of Justice refuted Azerbaijan’s arguments, stating that the allegations of violence and discrimination by Azerbaijanis fall within the scope of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. The team emphasized the severity of the claims and urged the judges to allow the case to proceed to the merits. No date has been set for a ruling on jurisdiction, and the case is expected to take years to resolve if it moves forward. Azerbaijan has also filed a case against Armenia for breaching the same convention, with hearings on jurisdiction scheduled for the upcoming week.
The 2020 conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh ended with a cease-fire agreement brokered by Russia, granting Azerbaijan control over parts of the region and surrounding territories. Tensions flared up again in the following year when Azerbaijan launched a military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in the displacement of thousands of ethnic Armenians. Armenia’s legal team described the campaign as an unprovoked attack that led to casualties and forced the evacuation of many residents. Efforts to negotiate a peace treaty between the two countries have been ongoing, but challenges remain as border residents resist demarcation.
Armenia’s prime minister has emphasized the need to define the country’s border with Azerbaijan quickly to prevent further hostilities. The ongoing legal dispute at the International Court of Justice reflects the deep-rooted tensions between the two nations and the complex history of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Both countries have accused each other of breaching the racial discrimination convention, highlighting the ongoing conflict and challenges in achieving lasting peace. As the legal proceedings continue, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments and outcomes of the case.
