By: Sarah Sandoval
Impunity Watch News Staff Writer
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – From April 22-26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) heard arguments on the preliminary objections raised by Armenia in the case of Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Azerbaijan v. Armenia). The delegation of Azerbaijan was led by HE Mr Elnur Mammadov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, while the delegation of Armenia was led by HE Mr Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Representative of the Republic of Armenia on International Legal Matters.
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The case stems from proceedings instituted by Azerbaijan in 2021, alleging that Armenia engaged in ethnic cleansing and discrimination against Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijan accused Armenia of violating Articles Two through Seven of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
In April of 2023, Armenia responded by raising preliminary objections to the jurisdiction of the Court and the admissibility of the claims. As a result, the proceedings were suspended pending a review of the objections. The hearing pursuant to that review concluded on April 26, 2024.
In its objections, Armenia claimed that Armenia did not consent to the jurisdiction of the Court for the full scope of Azerbaijan’s claims. Armenia attested that it only submitted to the jurisdiction of the ICJ in regard to disputes arising under the CERD. Armenia stated that First Nagorno-Karabakh War, which Azerbaijan cited, ended before the CERD was in effect and is therefore outside of the scope of jurisdiction as well as inadmissible. Armenia also claimed that the alleged use of booby traps and landmines, as well as environmental harm, do not fall under racial discrimination and are therefore not subject to the CERD. The full written objections, as well as the transcripts of the hearings, can be found on the ICJ website.
Azerbaijan asked the Court to dismiss the preliminary objections, either on the grounds that they are not valid objections or on the grounds that each should be decided on the merits. The Court will now deliberate on the objections raised by Armenia. The date of the decision will be announced at a later date.
For further information, please see:
ICJ – Conclusion of the public hearings held from Monday 22 to Friday 26 April 2024 – April 26, 2024
ICJ – Preliminary Objections of the Republic of Armenia – April 21, 2023
ICJ – The Republic of Azerbaijan institutes proceedings against the Republic of Armenia and requests the Court to indicate provisional measures – September 23, 2021
