ECHR rules on Karabakh-related cases against Armenia, AzerbaijanDecember 12, 2017 - 16:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights consisting of 17 judges ruled on two cases related to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In particular, in Tuesday, December 12's Grand Chamber judgment in the case of Sargsyan v. Azerbaijan, the ECHR ruled on the question of just satisfaction. It held, unanimously, that the Azerbaijani government has to pay the applicant €5,000 in respect of pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and €30,000 in costs and expenses. The case concerned an Armenian refugee’s complaint that, after having been forced to flee from his home in the Shahumyan region of Azerbaijan in 1992 during the conflict over Karabakh, he had since been denied the right to return to his village and to have access to and use his property there. Also, in the case of Chiragov and Others v. Armenia, the court ruled that the Armenian government has to pay 5,000 euros in respect of pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage to each of the applicants and a total amount of £28,642 for costs and expenses. The case concerned the complaints by six Azerbaijani refugees that they were unable to return to their homes and property in the district of Lachin, in Azerbaijan, from where they had been forced to flee in 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In conclusion, the court underlined the responsibility of Armenia and Azerbaijan concerned to find a resolution to the Karabakh conflict. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh. France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan. Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |