Baroness Cox : Six Written Questions for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Nagorno-Karabakh Armed Conflict:

Six Questions for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Asked by Baroness Cox: Armed Conflict: Asked 26 November 2020: 

1) Chemical Weapons
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons about (1) an investigation into whether chemical weapons have been used by Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and (2) securing assistance to protect civilians against the effects of such an attack.

Answered 8 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

The UK Government has had no such discussions with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. We have seen no evidence that chemical weapons have been used in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We continue to monitor the situation closely.


2) Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement of the United Nations working group on the use of mercenaries on 11 November that “the Government of Azerbaijan, with Turkey’s assistance, relied on Syrian fighters to shore-up and sustain its military operations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, including on the frontline”; and what assessment they have made of the participation of Syrian fighters in the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Answered 8 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

The UK Government noted the 11 November statement of the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries, in which the Group said it had received reports that both Azerbaijan and Armenia had deployed foreign fighters in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. While the Government is also aware of such reports, we have not yet seen solid evidence to substantiate the claims. The UK Government has made no assessment of President Macron's 1 October statement and is not aware of the specific information to which he referred. This question is grouped with 1 other question: HL10746

3) Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of President Macron's statement on 1 October that “we have information today that indicates with certainty that Syrian fighters from jihadist groups have transited through Gaziantep to reach the theatre of operations in Nagorno-Karabakh.”...

Answered 8 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

The UK Government noted the 11 November statement of the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries, in which the Group said it had received reports that both Azerbaijan and Armenia had deployed foreign fighters in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. While the Government is also aware of such reports, we have not yet seen solid evidence to substantiate the claims. The UK Government has made no assessment of President Macron's 1 October statement and is not aware of the specific information to which he referred. This question is grouped with 1 other question: HL10745

4) Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the £1 million Nagorno-Karabakh aid package they announced on 31 October will go to displaced Armenians; and what steps they have taken to enable displaced Armenians to return to their homes. Asked 26 November 2020

Answered 8 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

The funds provided to the ICRC are intended for the support of all people affected by the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to need. The UK Government does not dictate what percentage of funds should be allocated to either party. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas highlighted the importance of protecting all civilians, including displaced persons in her recent calls with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

5) Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made (1) to NATO, (2) to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and (3) to the government of Israel, about immediately suspending the provision of all (a) lethal military supplies, (b) non-lethal military supplies, and (c) technical assistance to Azerbaijan until the government of Azerbaijan renounces the use of violence against Armenian Christians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Asked 26 November 2020

Answered 8 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

The UK Government has made no representations to NATO, the CSTO or the Government of Israel on these topics. We have repeatedly condemned the shelling of civilian areas by both sides in the conflict.

6) Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 19 November (HL10161), what steps they have taken to prevent the Azerbaijani Armed Forces (1) abusing, and (2) killing, prisoners captured during the ceasefire evacuation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Asked 26 November 2020

Answered 8 December 2020 By Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative, Life peer)

The UK Government is deeply concerned by the allegations from both sides that war crimes have been committed. Where it is possible to verify footage and reports, we will raise our concerns with the relevant Governments. It is for those governments to ensure that their armed forces do not commit war crimes and to investigate any such allegations. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood the Americas emphasised these points during her recent calls with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

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