Armenia Asks the United Nations to Prevent 'Ethnic Cleansing' of Armenians by Azerbaijan

On Thursday, Armenia requested the International Court of Justice to impose new provisional measures on Azerbaijan to prevent what Armenians call the 'ethnic cleansing' of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijani forces, in a 24-hour offensive that began on September 24, forced the armed forces of the separatist Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh to surrender. Following the entry of Azerbaijani forces, over 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled their historic land out of fear for their lives and potential actions by the Azerbaijani government. Baku authorities arrested several leaders of the separatist region after regaining control and released images of them. Armenia has requested the judges of the International Court of Justice for 10 'provisional measures' aimed at protecting the rights of the Armenian people in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The head of Armenia's legal team told the judges, 'Nothing other than targeted and explicit provisional measures to support the rights of the Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh will be sufficient to prevent the continuation of the irreparable ethnic cleansing being perpetrated by Azerbaijan.' Azerbaijani lawyers are also expected to respond. Baku has stated that the departure of Armenians was a personal and individual decision and not related to forced displacement. On Thursday, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of expelling Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh region even while legal disputes continue. Lyson McDonald, Armenia's lawyer, stated that the court's orders could prevent the 'swallowing' of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan. The Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a statement on Wednesday, condemning Baku's provocative actions and rhetoric regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, calling for a review of U.S. military aid and security cooperation with Azerbaijan. Senator Ben Cardin, while expressing support for Armenia, condemned Azerbaijan's provocative actions, stating that Azerbaijan has used its military power in Nagorno-Karabakh for 'forced displacement of the Armenian population' and 'ethnic cleansing.' France warned Azerbaijan about the threat to Armenia's territorial integrity. Reports from the Associated Press highlighted military aid from Israel to Azerbaijan. The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee called for a review of military cooperation between the U.S. and Azerbaijan. The Armenian Parliament greenlit membership in the International Criminal Court, tightening the space for Putin. Armenia's envoy to the European Union called for 'decisive action' from the West against Azerbaijan. UN forces are present in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; Pope Francis expressed his concern.