Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Yashar Aliyev delivered speech at the meeting of UN Security Council dedicated to the discussion of the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Yashar Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan supports the position to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law, which is a prerequisite for improving the situation of victims of armed conflict.
Discussing the international legal norms and obligations of parties to the conflict, the diplomat said that the problem is not only part of the failure to fulfill obligations, but also the climate of impunity.
Yashar Aliyev noted that special attention should be paid to the protection of the civilian population expelled from their homes by conflict: "Azerbaijan supports efforts to raise awareness about the problems of internally displaced persons and their right to return to their homes."
He noted that disturbing moment in the violations of the rights of the civilian population is a challenge and the fact that the status of civilians, despite the existence of sufficient evidence that these persons do not belong to the category of military personnel.
Yashar Aliyev also noted that the hostage-taking, unlawful detention and harassment are serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The diplomat said that the most recent example of violations of international humanitarian law is inadequate handling of three Azerbaijani citizens: Hasan Hasanov, Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Askerov.
Then, Y. Aliyev provided the members of the meeting with the facts about Azerbaijani hostages and the violation of their rights by the Armenian occupation authorities. The diplomat said that Hasan Hasanov was killed by Armenian soldiers on July 11, 2014, but his body was handed over to the Azerbaijani side only 2 October 2014 with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross: "Two other hostages - Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Askerov were accused of fictitious sabotage and imprisoned in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan."
Yashar Aliyev noted that these civilians were taken hostage within internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan: "No one, and nothing but the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan can not impose restrictions or prohibitions on the free movement of citizens of Azerbaijan on its territory."
He stressed that the so-called trial and conviction of Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Askerov are illegal.
The diplomat urged all relevant international organizations for the protection of human rights to intervene and help release these civilians from prison while they are alive.
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