The 21st Autumn Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) continued in Armenia’s capital Yerevan Sunday.

In Today’s meeting, protection of rights of people and minorities in conflict zones were discussed.

In her remarks, OSCE PA Vice-President Daniela De Ridder underscored the observance of international humanitarian law norms, which is also stipulated in the Vancouver Declaration. She reflected on the protection of the rights of minorities, humanitarian consequences of conflicts, and cases of escalation. In this context, she spoke about the displacement of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and added that the Armenian authorities are taking all possible steps, but it is necessary to provide assistance in solving the problems. Valuing peace in the OSCE region, the OSCE PA vice-president expressed her view that joint steps and political will can provide a positive result.

Former UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, addressed ways to overcome crises, humanitarian problems in conflict zones, causes of conflicts. According to the rapporteur, the prevention of conflicts and the protection of the rights of minorities should be at the core of everyone's actions. There was also reference to cases of xenophobia and intolerance manifested for various reasons, which often have serious consequences.

Yeghisheh Kirakosyan, the Armenian PM’s representative on international legal affairs, emphasized the importance of discussing issues on such a platform. He presented the problems that plagued Armenia in recent years, and detailed the disastrous consequences of the large-scale war in Azerbaijan. He reflected also on the inadmissibility of hate speech on social media, which also has disastrous consequences. Armenia’s representative spoke also about the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan and the resulting humanitarian crisis which led to Armenian ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In their speeches, the OSCE PA delegates talked about the importance of observing the norms of international humanitarian law, the prevention of genocides, the events taking place in Gaza, the elimination of manifestations of hatred towards minorities, and the need for a joint struggle in this matter.

The delegates reflected also on the Russian-Ukrainian, Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, and military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh. An opinion was voiced that there cannot be peace without justice, the equal protection of the rights of all peaceful citizens was emphasized. The delegates rejected the policy of double standards. And in the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity was emphasized.

In their speeches, the OSCE PA delegates talked about the problems of protecting the rights of children and women in conflict zones. An opinion was voiced that the protection of the rights of minorities is not only the problem of the countries, but of the international community, and that not only resolutions, but active steps are needed to have a real protection of people's rights. Protection and security of the rights of Armenians in the South Caucasus, fulfillment of promises related to the reintegration of Armenians in Azerbaijan were emphasized, too.

The Secretary General of the OSCE PA, Roberto Montella, and the President of the OSCE PA, Pia Kauma, thanked the Armenian side for organizing and hosting the 21st Autumn Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at a high level and productively. Kauma expressed her conviction that the discussions of the last two days showed that this organization’s activities are going in the right direction. Also, she emphasized the establishment of peace in the world, and noted that the mission of the OSCE PA is to work in that regard.

Subsequently, 21st Autumn Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly concluded.