YEREVAN. – Unless Azerbaijan gives its consent to introduce mechanisms for the monitoring at the line of contact, it has to be forced to, Armenian delegate to PACE Michael Melkumyan said.

During the PACE winter session, Azerbaijani delegates once again accused Armenia’s of conducting genocide and occupation.

Melkumyan’s speech is as follows:

“The subject of today’s debate is topical and important. We need to try to find the right solutions, but of course that is very difficult. Why is that? How can students continue with their everyday lives when they are recruited in the context of armed conflict? In the areas of armed conflict, the life of every individual is precious, yet it is children who most need our assistance and support, because during military operations they may lose their parents, or be left handicapped or orphaned, and they suffer considerable psychological stress, for example, if they are left homeless. The peaceful resolution of conflicts is as necessary today as it ever has been. As we know, there is no alternative.

In recent years, the problem has been particularly acute in Syria, and the Republic of Armenia has taken in and provided employment for some 21 000 refugees. We should not forget the children who were left homeless and without their parents following the Four Day War in April 2016 in the villages of Talış, Mataghis and others in the Republic of Artsakh. Nor should we forget Vagharshak Grigoryan, the small 12-year-old who died when his school playground was bombed. How can we forget that or his inconsolable parents who cannot resign themselves to their irreversible loss?

 Human life should not be gambled with by politicians at the expense of the civilian population. Politicians should be held responsible for the consequences of their acts. Although the logic of the peaceful settlement of disputes remains valid, mechanisms for the monitoring and verification of the cease-fire need to be implemented along the contact line between the Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan. If Azerbaijan does not give its consent, it has to be forced to. There is no other choice. Otherwise, Aliyev has to shoulder the responsibility for human losses in the region – not only political but legal and criminal responsibility.

Colleagues, our task is not only to make pronouncements. We have to bring to book the guilty parties, because all our deadlines have run out. Man, and in particular the head of State, is strong when he assumes responsibility and makes good his errors without enabling history, international institutions and neighbouring States to do it in his place. Otherwise, he is discredited in the eyes of his own people and becomes a political corps

I appeal to Mr Ilham Aliyev. You have a historic opportunity to make good your errors, and you know that you need to look at the facts and assume responsibility for the historical truths.”