A human rights organization representing ethnic Armenians has submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court, alleging ongoing genocide by Azerbaijan. The accusations claim that Azerbaijan is committing atrocities against Armenians, although the Azerbaijani government has not yet responded to these claims.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory of Karabakh has been a long-standing issue, with tensions escalating into a war in 2020 that resulted in thousands of casualties. Following a military campaign, Azerbaijan regained control of Karabakh, prompting over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee the region.
The California-based Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ) has urged the ICC's chief prosecutor to investigate Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other leaders for genocide. The evidence submitted includes testimonies from over 500 victims and witnesses, documenting alleged atrocities committed by Azerbaijani soldiers.
While Armenia is a member of the ICC, Azerbaijan is not, limiting the court's jurisdiction over crimes committed on Armenian territory. However, legal experts suggest that forcing the relocation of the Karabakh Armenians could fall within the court's purview as a crime against humanity.
The CFTJ's efforts come amidst ongoing legal proceedings between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the International Court of Justice, where both countries have accused each other of violating a racial discrimination treaty. The ICC will now review the evidence presented and decide whether to open a formal investigation, a process that is expected to take several months.
The submission of evidence to the ICC marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, shedding light on the alleged human rights violations and atrocities committed against ethnic Armenians in the region.
