Armenia is taking steps to protect Armenians should they decide to remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia’s Representative for International Legal Matters Yeghishe Kirakosyan said.

According to him, the first point in Armenia's demands to the International Court of Justice is that Azerbaijan must refrain from taking any measures that may entail a violation of its obligations under ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination).

It is also noted that Azerbaijan must refrain from any actions directly or indirectly aimed at displacing the remaining ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.

“In essence, ethnic cleansing has already taken place, but demands are included to protect the rights of ethnic Armenians, including the right to return, as well as compensation,” Kirakosyan said in an interview with the Public Television.

He said that Azerbaijanis do not have the right to use the houses and property of Armenians. Separate requirements have been introduced for the protection of cultural heritage. Public hearings will take place no later than in a month.

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which left hundreds of Armenians killed and thousands of others displaced. On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire on Azerbaijan’s terms, including the dissolution of the Defense Army. On September 18, President of the Republic of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree, according to which the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) will cease to exist by January 1, 2024. As of October 1, over 100,500 displaced residents have already fled Nagorno-Karabakh and reached Armenia.