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Ombudsman of so-called Nagorno Karabakh Republic expelled from international conference after Azerbaijani Ombudsman's representative objected

04 October 2013 16:08 (UTC +04:00)

Baku – APA. Austria hosted the anniversary conference on “The independence of Ombudsmen in Europe” dedicated to the 15 anniversary of the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI). Chief of the department of legal education, scientific-analytical, information and international relations of the Office of Azerbaijan’s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Zaur Aliyev also attended the event.

The Ombudsman’s Office told APA that the conference was attended by ombudsmen of European countries, representatives of human rights institutions, as well as the Council of Europe and the European Union Commissioner for Human Rights, local and foreign universities, media outlets and international experts.

Addressing the event, Aliyev gave detailed information about the activity of Azerbaijan’s ombudsman institution. As a part of the conference, president and vice-presidents of the European Ombudsman Institute and members of Board of Directors were elected. Aliyev was elected as a member of the election commission.

Following the speech of Yuri Hayrapetyan, who introduced himself as an ombudsman of the “independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic”, Zaur Aliyev strongly objected to the participation and speech of the ombudsman of the so-called republic. He stressed that it is contrary to the international legal norms, because such a state doesn’t exist and this territory is an integral part and historical land of Azerbaijan.

Aliyev said Nagorno Karabakh is a part of Azerbaijan, but has been occupied by Armenia. It was noted that the fact of occupation has been affirmed by the UN, Council of Europe and a number of other international organizations, the UN Security Council and General Assembly passed resolutions, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe made recommendation and resolution with this regard.

It was said that Nagorno Karabakh is not recognized by any state or international organization as a state, even Armenia has not recognized it as an independent state. The conference participants were told that taking this into account that person's participation in this event, membership of the European Ombudsman Institute is groundless and runs contrary to the international law.

It was noted that being an international non-governmental organization the European Ombudsman Institute disrespected the norms of the international law, admitting that person to the organization invited him to the event and offered opportunities for him to make a speech.

Following Aliyev's speech Hayrapetyan was expelled from the meeting.