The situation in Garabagh has been discussed in BBC News, APA reports.
The British lawyer Rodney Dixon states in his interview with the correspondent of BBC News that former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo’s opinions on Garabagh are serious allegations.
He stated that it’s not right to compare the situation in Garabagh with “genocide” and Ocampo has no evidence to show that a genocide was committed in the region.
“Ocampo hasn’t identified any evidence to show (for “genocide”). You can’t make an allegation as serious as “genocide”. We all know the historical basis of it and how important it is without there being very clear evidence. In particular, I highlighted the fact the government of Azerbaijan is offering food to the population in Garabagh through the Aghdam route. A route that the ICRC and the EU have said could be used.”
The British lawyer said that if we take into consideration the fact that one side is offering food aid to the other side, from a rational and legal perspective, no genocidal intent is apparent.
Rodney Dixon highlighted that through an alternative route, food is offered by a humanitarian non-governmental organization, not the government.
He noted that the Lachin-Khankandi road also fully operated during June-July and the international organizations currently use this road.
“What I want to say is that there is significant evidence and the lawyer in question (Luis Ocampo – ed.) should take it into account when making a serious accusation of the deliberate physical destruction of the civilian population in the area".
“This is a very serious accusation. You cannot make such an accusation when the roads are open for offering and delivering food. This is contradictory.
Such allegations and accusations make the situation more difficult and inflame. My conclusion is that there are points to be resolved between the sides, and the UN Security Council has also stated that a solution must be found. But calling the situation "genocide" makes it difficult for the sides to come together and find solutions. Therefore, I firmly state that the comparison of "genocide" should not be used. It only inflames the situation, rather than the sides sitting at the same table and solving the issue," Dixon stressed.
During the discussion, Azerbaijani political scientist Orkhan Amashov recalled that although the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society sent 40 tons of food aid to the area, the cargo still did not have entry access to the territory under the temporary control of Russian peacekeepers. "They should be there to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground," Orkhan Amashov said.
He said that while a group of people in Garabagh take use of all opportunities, others may face certain difficulties, and the Azerbaijani side offers help to address their problem: "The separatist regime in Garabagh is politicizing the issue of food. The road to Lachin is partially open at the moment, medical aid and deliveries are being carried out. We need to understand why the Lachin road is not suitable for large humanitarian convoys, as there are huge security risks. There was a shooting incident in the area in July. Also, in July, an attempt was made to smuggle to Garabagh by using the ICRC vehicles".
According to Orkhan Amashov, an agreement was reached in July that both Lachin and Aghdam roads should be used: "However, the fact is that Lachin road is currently open for medical purposes, while Aghdam road is not. This is a question of territorial integrity and sovereignty."
The analyst also noted that the key reason why Azerbaijan established a checkpoint on the Lachin road is related to the transportation of military weapons and ammunition by the Armenian side to Garabagh.
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