UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Karabakh

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UN News Centre – Armenia-Azerbaijan
https://news.un.org/en/tags/armenia-azerbaijan

UN News Centre – Armenia
https://news.un.org/en/tags/armenia

UN News Centre – Azerbaijan
https://news.un.org/en/tags/azerbaijan

UN News Centre – Karabakh
https://news.un.org/en/tags/karabakh

UN News Centre – Nagorno-Karabakh
https://news.un.org/en/tags/nagorno-karabakh

UN Entities

• United Nations in Armenia:
  https://armenia.un.org/en, https://unsdg.un.org/un-in-action/armenia
  • The United Nations launched a final report on the humanitarian Inter-Agency Response to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between October 2020 and December 2021: https://reliefweb.int/report/armenia/united-nations-launched-final-report-humanitarian-inter-agency-response-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-between-october-2020-and-december-2021, https://reliefweb.int/node/3879952
• United Nations in Azerbaijan:
  http://unazerbaijan.org/en/, https://unsdg.un.org/un-in-action/azerbaijan
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • Armenia: https://www.iom.int/countries/armenia
  • Azerbaijan: https://www.iom.int/countries/azerbaijan
  • 100,000 Reasons to Help: IOM Poised to be a Key Actor in Armenia Response (11 October 2023): https://storyteller.iom.int/stories/100000-reasons-help-iom-poised-be-key-actor-armenia-response
  • Potential for mass displacement as conflict intensifies in Nagorno-Karabakh (9 October 2020): https://www.iom.int/news/potential-mass-displacement-conflict-intensifies-nagorno-karabakh
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  • ReliefWeb on Armenia: https://reliefweb.int/country/arm
  • ReliefWeb on Azerbaijan: https://reliefweb.int/country/aze
  • UN humanitarian team wraps up assessment mission to Armenia, Azerbaijan (9 October 2023): https://reliefweb.int/report/armenia/un-humanitarian-team-wraps-assessment-mission-armenia-azerbaijan
• Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • Armenia: https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/armenia
  • Azerbaijan: https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/azerbaijan
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • refworld on Nagorno Karabakh: https://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&skip=0&query=Nagorno+Karabakh&coi=
  • Frequently Asked Questions on Temporary Protection of Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia (18 January 2024): https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/106198
  • Armenia Refugee Response Plan – October 2023 – March 2024: https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/103868
  • Armenia Emergency Refugee Response Inter-Agency Update 13 October – 19 October
    (30 October 2023): https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/104329
  • Refugees find safety in Armenia, but the future remains uncertain (20 October 2023): https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/refugees-find-safety-armenia-future-remains-uncertain
  • UNHCR Regional Director for Europe concludes visit to Armenia (19 October 2023: https://www.unhcr.org/europe/news/press-releases/unhcr-regional-director-europe-concludes-visit-armenia
  • UNHCR seeking urgent support for humanitarian emergency in Armenia (29 September 2023): https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing-notes/unhcr-seeking-urgent-support-humanitarian-emergency-armenia
  • UNHCR ready to provide further humanitarian assistance for those fleeing to Armenia (26 September 2023): https://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/unhcr-ready-provide-further-humanitarian-assistance-those-fleeing-to-armenia
• UN Women
  • Armenia gender alert no. 1: Voices of women activists and civil society organizations: First respondents to the Armenia refugee crisis: https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/10/armenia-gender-alert-no-1-voices-of-women-activists-and-civil-society-organizations
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • UNFPA Refugee Response in Armenia – Situation Reports: https://eeca.unfpa.org/en/publications
  • “I miss my home”: Fleeing conflict, tens of thousands of women and girls cross into Armenia (11 October 2023): https://www.unfpa.org/news/%E2%80%9Ci-miss-my-home%E2%80%9D-fleeing-conflict-tens-thousands-women-and-girls-cross-armenia
  • UNFPA Appeal for Armenia Refugee Response (09 October 2023): https://eeca.unfpa.org/en/publications/unfpa-appeal-armenia-refugee-response
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
  • Europe and Central Asia: https://www.unicef.org/eca/
  • UNICEF Armenia Humanitarian Situation Reports: https://www.unicef.org/appeals/armenia/situation-reports
  • Two-thirds of refugee children in Armenia enrolled in school, efforts must now focus on expanding access to education for all children (24 October 2023): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/two-thirds-refugee-children-armenia-enrolled-school-efforts-must-now-focus-expanding
  • Refugee children arriving in Armenia showing signs of severe psychological distress – UNICEF (10 October 2023): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/refugee-children-arriving-armenia-showing-signs-severe-psychological-distress-unicef
  • UNICEF Armenia Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1, 2 October 2023: https://reliefweb.int/report/armenia/unicef-armenia-humanitarian-situation-report-no-1-02-october-2023
  • Updated UNICEF regional statement on ongoing developments around Lachin corridor (30 December 2022): https://www.unicef.org/eca/press-releases/updated-unicef-regional-statement-ongoing-developments-around-lachin-corridor
  • UNICEF statement on one month of fighting in and beyond Nagorno-Karabakh (28 October 2020): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-statement-one-month-fighting-and-beyond-nagorno-karabakh
  •  UNICEF statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (17 October 2020): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-statement-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-0
  • UNICEF Statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (6 October 2020): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-statement-nagorno-karabakh-conflict
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  • Armenia: UNESCO to send an emergency mission to assist with refugee welcome (5 October 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/armenia-unesco-send-emergency-mission-assist-refugee-welcome
  • Nagorno-Karabakh: Reaffirming the obligation to protect cultural goods, UNESCO proposes sending a mission to the field to all parties (20 November 2020): https://en.unesco.org/news/nagorno-karabakh-reaffirming-obligation-protect-cultural-goods-unesco-proposes-sending-mission
• United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
  • Response to the Crisis in the South Caucasus:
    https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/wb/2023/10/UNV%20Offer%20for%20Emergency%20and%20Crisis%20Response%20in%20the%20South%20Caucasus.pdf
• World Food Programme (WFP)
  • World Food Programme responds to humanitarian crisis as thousands of people flee into Armenia (30 September 2023): https://www.wfp.org/news/world-food-programme-responds-humanitarian-crisis-thousands-people-flee-armenia
  • WFP Armenia Emergency Response External Situation Report #1 (29 September 2023): https://reliefweb.int/report/armenia/wfp-armenia-emergency-response-external-situation-report-1
• World Health Organization – Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe)
  • Armenia: https://www.who.int/armenia
  • Azerbaijan: https://www.who.int/azerbaijan
  • Armenia refugee response – situation reports: https://www.who.int/europe/emergencies/situations/armenia-refugee-response/armenia-refugee-response—situation-reports
  • Racing to meet the health needs of ethnic Armenians fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh: WHO intensifies support to Armenian Ministry of Health at this critical time (1 October 2023): https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/01-10-2023-racing-to-meet-the-health-needs-of-ethnic-armenians-fleeing-nagorno-karabakh
  • WHO delivers emergency medical supplies in response to conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh (27 October 2020): https://reliefweb.int/report/armenia/who-delivers-emergency-medical-supplies-response-conflict-and-around-nagorno-karabakh
• World Bank
  • Armenia Receives $2.9 million Grant to Support Teachers in Providing Psycho-Social Support to Displaced Children from Nagorno-Karabakh (8 December 2023): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/12/08/armenia-receives-2-9-million-grant-to-support-teachers-in-providing-psycho-social-support-to-displaced-children-from-nag
• International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  • Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan): https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/180
  • Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Azerbaijan v. Armenia): https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/181

Security Council

• Meetings in 2003: 21 September, 16 August – Letter dated 13 September 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2022/688)
  Meeting records, press releases and resolutions:
  https://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2023
  • Latest clash between Armenia, Azerbaijan undermines prospects of peace, speakers warn Security Council, calling for genuine dialogue to settle outstanding issues (SC/15418, 21 September 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15418.doc.htm
  • Lachin Corridor must be reopened for humanitarian aid, Security Council hears, as speakers urge Armenia, Azerbaijan to normalize relations (SC/15384, 16 August 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15384.doc.htm
• Meetings in 2022: 20 December, 15 September – Letter dated 13 September 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2022/688)
  https://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2022
  • Despite ‘glimmer of hope’ in Armenia, Azerbaijan conflict, escalating tensions threaten to derail fragile progress, Senior Official tells Security Council (SC/15154, 20 December 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sc15154.doc.htm
  • Amid fighting between Armenia, Azerbaijan, Assistant Secretary-General urges both parties commit to lasting peace treaty, in Security Council Briefing (SC/15031, 15 September 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sc15031.doc.htm
• Security Council Press elements on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, 29 September 2020: https://twitter.com/UKUN_NewYork/status/1311073097420804098
• Repertoire of Security Council Practice: The situation relating to Nagorny-Karabakh – 1989-1992, 1993-1995: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/repertoire/europe#cat14

Selected UN Documents

• S/2022/688 (13 September 2022): Letter dated 13 September 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council: https://undocs.org/S/2022/688
  Request to convene an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
• S/2020/1104 (11 November 2020): Letter dated 10 November 2020 from the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council: https://undocs.org/S/2020/1104
  Transmits a statement by the President of the Republic  of Azerbaijan,  the  Prime  Minister  of  the  Republic  of Armenia  and  the President of the Russian Federation on a complete ceasefire and termination of all hostilities in the area of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, signed on 9 November 2020.
• S/2020/996 (12 October 2020): Letter dated 10 October 2020 from the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General: https://undocs.org/S/2020/996
  Transmits statement by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Armenia concerning the declaration of a humanitarian ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia for 10 Oct. 2020.
• Security Council resolution 884 (1993): https://undocs.org/S/RES/884(1993)
  on the conflict in and around Nagorny Karabakh
• Security Council resolution 874 (1993): https://undocs.org/S/RES/874(1993)
  on settlement of the conflict in and around Nagorny Karabakh
• Security Council resolution 853 (1993): https://undocs.org/S/RES/853(1993)
  on the seizure of the district of Agdam and of all other recently occupied areas of Azerbaijan
• Security Council resolution 822 (1993): https://undocs.org/S/RES/822(1993)
  on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
• UN documents on “Nagorny Karabakh Situation” – click here
• UN Member States on the Record
  https://www.un.org/en/library/unms
  United Nations Member States on the Record provides access to selected documents reflecting the views of United Nations Member States.

Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials

• Secretary-General welcomes delimitation of State Border Agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan, encourages further efforts to normalize bilateral relations (SG/SM/22198, 19 April 2024): https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22198.doc.htm
• UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Nderitu, on the situation in Armenia and Azerbaijan (10 October 2023): https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/Statement_Armenia_Azerbaijan_10%20October_2023.pdf
• Karabakh crisis: ‘People have questions about what will happen to them’: Interview with UN refugee agency (UNHCR) representative in the country, Kavita Belani (UN Radio, 29 September 2023): https://news.un.org/en/audio/2023/09/1141667
• Azerbaijan must respect and protect the lives of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh: UN expert (27 September 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/09/azerbaijan-must-respect-and-protect-lives-ethnic-armenians-nagorno-karabakh
• Azerbaijan / Armenia – Comment by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk (26 September 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2023/09/azerbaijan-armenia-comment-un-human-rights-chief-volker-turk
• Statement by Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, on the situation in Armenia and Azerbaijan, 22 September 2023: https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/USG_Nderitu_Statement_Armenia_Azerbaijan_22092023.pdf
• ASG Jenča: “A genuine dialogue between the Government of Azerbaijan and representatives of the region, together with full engagement in the normalization process by Armenia and Azerbaijan, are the only sustainable way forward” (21 September 2023): https://dppa.un.org/en/mtg-sc-9421-armenia-azerbaijan-21-sept-23
• Secretary-General ‘extremely concerned’ about use of military force, casualties in Armenia/Azerbaijan, following delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid (SG/SM/21949, 19 September 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/sgsm21949.doc.htm
• Briefing of the Emergency Relief Coordinator to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in the area around the Lachin Corridor, 16 August 2023: https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/armenia/briefing-emergency-relief-coordinator-security-council-humanitarian-situation-area-around-lachin-corridor-16-august-2023
• UN experts urge Azerbaijan to lift Lachin corridor blockade and end humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh (7 August 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/08/un-experts-urge-azerbaijan-lift-lachin-corridor-blockade-and-end
• Secretary-General ‘deeply concerned’ by reports of continued challenges to freedom of movement along Lachin Corridor, Armenia-Azerbaijan (SG/SM/21896, 2 August 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/sgsm21896.doc.htm
• Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča reports on developments in the South Caucasus in Emergency Security Council session requested by Armenia, 20 December 2022: https://dppa.un.org/en/assistant-secretary-general-miroslav-jenca-reports-developments-south-caucasus-emergency-security
• Concerned about ongoing developments in Lachin Corridor, Secretary-General urges sides to de-escalate tensions, ensure freedom, security of movement (SG/SM/21635, 14 December 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21635.doc.htm
• ASG Jenča: Azerbaijan and Armenia “must abide by their obligation to fully implement the Trilateral statement on the ceasefire of 9 November 2020” (15 September 2022): https://dppa.un.org/en/asg-jenca-azerbaijan-and-armenia-ceasefire-2020
• Secretary-General concerned about situation along Armenia-Azerbaijan Border (SG/SM/21452, 13 September 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21452.doc.htm
• Encouraged by resumption of dialogue between Armenia, Azerbaijan, Secretary-General urges taking steps towards increasing stability in region (SG/SM/21045, 27 November 2021): https://press.un.org/en/2021/sgsm21045.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes Minsk Group’s statement on resumed direct engagement between Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan (SG/SM/20933, 27 September 2021): https://press.un.org/en/2021/sgsm20933.doc.htm
• Nagorno-Karabakh: captives must be released – UN experts (1 February 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2021/02/nagorno-karabakh-captives-must-be-released-un-experts
• Welcoming continuing ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh situation, Secretary-General urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to resume talks for peaceful settlement (SG/SM/20473, 4 December 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20473.doc.htm
• Mercenaries in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone must be withdrawn – UN experts (11 November 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/11/mercenaries-and-around-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-zone-must-be-withdrawn-un
• Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Bachelet warns of possible war crimes as attacks continue in populated areas (2 November 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/11/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-bachelet-warns-possible-war-crimes-attacks
• Deeply concerned about reports of continuing Armenian-Azerbaijan hostilities, Secretary-General fully supports call for immediate humanitarian ceasefire (SG/SM/20386, 31 October 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20386.doc.htm
• Welcoming Joint Statement on humanitarian ceasefire, Secretary-General urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to resume talks towards peaceful resolution (SG/SM/20367,
  25 October 2020) https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20367.doc.htm
• Statement by the WHO Regional Director for Europe on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (22 October 2020, Copenhagen, Denmark): https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/22-10-2020-statement-by-the-who-regional-director-for-europe-on-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict
• Civilian deaths ‘totally unacceptable’, Secretary-General stresses, condemning all attacks on populated areas amid conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (SG/SM/20347, 18 October 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20347.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes humanitarian ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia, urges global support for parties’ work towards peaceful resolutions (SG/SM/20328, 10 October 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20328.doc.htm
• Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Bachelet urges protection for civilians amid escalation in hostilities (9 October 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/10/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-bachelet-urges-protection-civilians-amid
• Condemning continuing escalation of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, Secretary-General appeals for immediate ceasefire, return to negotiations (SG/SM/20311, 5 October 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20311.doc.htm
• Comment by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (29 September 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2020/09/comment-un-high-commissioner-human-rights-michelle-bachelet-nagorno-karabakh
• Note to correspondents on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (28 September 2020): https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2020-09-28/note-correspondents-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict
• ‘Extremely concerned’ over fresh Nagorno-Karabakh hostilities, Secretary-General condemns use of force, calling for return to meaningful talks (SG/SM/20284, 27 September 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20284.doc.htm
• Refrain from provocative rhetoric, Secretary-General urges following reported deadly exchanges of fire along Armenia-Azerbaijan border (SG/SM/20175, 13 July 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20175.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes recommitment by Armenia, Azerbaijan towards finding peaceful solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (SG/SM/19524, 29 March 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19524.doc.htm
• Secretary-General encourages Armenia, Azerbaijan to take confidence-building steps towards peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (SG/SM/19266, 29 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19266.doc.htm
• Welcoming Summit on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Secretary-General encourages building on positive momentum for peaceful negotiated settlement (SG/SM/18751, 16 October 2017): https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sgsm18751.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes recent talks on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, hopes planned Armenia-Azerbaijan Summit will ‘find peaceful compromise solutions’ (SG/SM/18726, 26 September 2017): https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sgsm18726.doc.htm

Non-UN Sources

• OSCE Minsk Group: https://www.osce.org/mg
  The Minsk Group, the activities of which have become known as the Minsk Process, spearheads the OSCE’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It is co-chaired by France, the Russian Federation, and the United States.
• European Union
  • European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA): https://www.eeas.europa.eu/euma_en
  • EU humanitarian operations in Armenia and Azerbaijan: https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/europe/armenia-and-azerbaijan_en
• Security Council Report
  • Briefing on the Situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh Region, 20 September 2023: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2023/09/briefing-on-the-situation-in-the-nagorno-karabakh-region-2.php
  • What’s in Blue: Nagorno-Karabakh consultations, 19 October 2020: https://www.whatsinblue.org/2020/10/nagorno-karabakh-consultations.php
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • Armenia: https://www.icrc.org/en/where-we-work/europe-central-asia/armenia
  • Azerbaijan: https://www.icrc.org/en/where-we-work/europe-central-asia/azerbaijan

 19 April 2024
not an official document – for information only
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-karabakh/