An Armenian human rights organization has submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court, accusing Azerbaijan of committing an ongoing genocide against ethnic Armenians. Lawyers for the Center for Truth and Justice argue that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other top leaders should be investigated for genocide. The evidence presented includes testimony from more than 500 victims and witnesses, documenting atrocities allegedly committed by Azerbaijani soldiers. The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, will now consider the evidence and decide whether to open an investigation, a process that could take months.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory of Karabakh has been ongoing for decades, with tensions erupting into a war in 2020 that left thousands dead. After Azerbaijan regained control of Karabakh in a military campaign, over 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled the region. The rights organization claims that Azerbaijan’s actions amounted to genocide, creating conditions aimed at destroying the Karabakh Armenians as a group. The submission of evidence comes amid ongoing legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice, where both countries have accused each other of violating a racial discrimination treaty.
The CFTJ’s evidence includes images of the mutilation and abuse suffered by ethnic Armenians at the hands of Azerbaijani soldiers. One woman, Lala Abgaryan, shared the story of her sister Gayane, who was killed by Azerbaijani soldiers in 2022. Abgaryan described the psychological damage she suffered after seeing the heinous images of her sister’s body. The evidence presented to the ICC highlights the brutality and violence directed towards ethnic Armenians in Karabakh, with allegations of beheadings and other atrocities captured on social media.
Legal experts suggest that the ICC may have limited jurisdiction in investigating genocide allegations against Azerbaijan, as the country is not a member state. However, the court could potentially address crimes against humanity, such as forced displacement of the population. While Azerbaijan denies deporting the ethnic Armenians who fled Karabakh, experts argue that the mass exodus was not a coincidence and may fall within the court’s jurisdiction. The CFTJ’s submission of evidence comes in the midst of a legal battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the International Court of Justice, where both countries are arguing racial discrimination violations in the conflict.
The accusations of genocide against Azerbaijan have reignited tensions between the neighboring countries, with Armenia seeking international justice for the alleged atrocities committed against ethnic Armenians in Karabakh. The submission of evidence to the ICC by the CFTJ reflects a broader effort to hold Azerbaijani leaders accountable for their actions. The decision on whether the court will open an investigation into the genocide allegations will have significant implications for the ongoing conflict and the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Karabakh war. As the court considers the evidence presented, the international community will be closely watching to see how the case progresses and whether justice will be served for the victims of the conflict.
