yerakouyn.com. The Chamber of Representatives, the lower house of the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium unanimously adopted a resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh entitled “”Motion for a resolution on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the necessity of peace in the South Caucasus.”. This resolution was initially adopted by the Committee on External Affairs of the Federal Parliament of Belgium following a unanimous vote on July 2nd.
The resolution, introduced by MP Els Van Hoof (CD&V) and MP Michel De Maegd (MR), builds on previous parliamentary stances as well as similar texts adopted by the European Parliament. The adopted text unequivocally condemns Azerbaijan’s military attack on the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and the preceding blockade of the Lachin Corridor, emphasizing that these actions constitute grave violations of international law. It also condemns Azerbaijan’s aggressive rhetoric against Armenia and reiterates its support for Armenia’s territorial integrity.
The resolution urges the Belgian Federal Government to support international investigations into alleged international crimes committed by Azerbaijan, including referral to the International Criminal Court, strengthen cooperation with Armenia, demand the immediate release of all Armenian hostages arrested since September 19, 2023, and ensure their fundamental rights and access to justice and advocate, at the EU level, for targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for ceasefire violations, cultural heritage destruction, human rights abuses, and threats to Armenia’s sovereignty.
The resolution strongly demands accountability from Azerbaijan and calls on its government to:
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- Adhere to international obligations and binding orders from the International Court of Justice.
- Guarantee the rights and safe, unimpeded return of ethnic Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh under international observation and security guarantees.
- Cease all inflammatory rhetoric and refrain from actions against Armenia’s territorial integrity.
- Engage in transparent dialogue with Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to ensure their safety and rights.
- Allow for the deployment of a team of independent doctors to examine the Armenian detainees.
- Protect Armenian cultural, historical, and religious heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh and permit a UNESCO mission to assess sites.
- Withdraw all troops from Armenian territory.
EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian welcomed the unanimous adoption stating:
“This resolution marks a clear and decisive stance by the Belgian Parliament, reinforcing international calls for peace, human rights, and adherence to international law in the volatile South Caucasus region. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh have the undeniable right to safely return to their homeland, under international security guarantees and this unanimous vote highlights the undeniability of this right. The continued aggressive rhetoric by Azerbaijan must stop.
Thank you to our Belgian friends for standing up for human rights, for standing up for Justice and reminding the world that no amount of Gas or wealth can wash away crimes against humanity or silence those who fight for what is Right”.
During the debate inside the Chamber of Representatives, many MPs encouraged the ongoing negotiations on the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also noted that peace and reconciliation should be fair and based on respect of international law. Els Van Hoof gave a powerful speech, recalling how, during the war, Azerbaijani aggression forced the expulsion of more than a hundred thousand ethnic Armenians from their homeland, destroyed their villages and churches, criminal acts that need international condemnation and accountability. Similarly, Michel De Maegd reiterated his support for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and condemned the “total ethnic cleansing” of them by Azerbaijan. He lamented the unacceptable preconditions Azerbaijan imposes on Armenia and highlights the necessity to pressure Azerbaijan from renouncing its aggressive rhetoric on Armenia.