By portraying Armenians as “terrorists,” Azerbaijan is attempting to legitimize its aggression. Siranush Sahakyan, president of the International Comparative Law Center and the lawyer representing the Armenian prisoners’ interests at the European Court of Human Rights, stated this in a discussion dedicated to the policy of Armenophobia carried out by the Azerbaijani leadership.

Also, a report on Armenophobia in Azerbaijan was presented at the discussion. Sahakyan emphasized that at all levels in Azerbaijan, Armenians are portrayed as “non-humans,” and this justifies crimes against Armenians.

When preparing the aforesaid report, statements by high-ranking Azerbaijani officials were studied, as well as materials from journalists, which also shape public opinion. All this is a manifestation of discrimination, and Armenia cites a violation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination in its claims against Azerbaijan. The International Court of Justice has already made several decisions on interim measures, noting that Azerbaijan must refrain from discriminatory policies.

The lawyer noted the concept of “Western Azerbaijan” as one of the directions of anti-Armenian propaganda, and added that the transformation of the Azerbaijani public organization on refugee issues into a political entity is evidence of Azerbaijani state participation. Evidence of territorial claims is the demand for the provision of the “Zangezur corridor.” In addition, Azerbaijan appropriates Armenian cultural heritage, or simply destroys it.

“They portray Armenians as ‘terrorists.’ And from the point of view of international law, this is an attempt to justify the use of weapons. Azerbaijan makes a reference to the right to defend and liberate the territories ‘occupied’ by a third country, Armenia. That is, since Armenians are ‘terrorists,’ a war can be waged against them,” Siranush Sahakyan said, explaining Baku’s policy.