Armenia and Azerbaijan Legal Battle in The Hague: A Complex Peace Process in the Caucasus

In a complex legal battle unfolding in The Hague, Armenia and Azerbaijan are entangled in a bitter fight despite ongoing peace efforts in the Caucasus region. The United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently held hearings to determine the jurisdiction over a three-year-old suit brought by Armenia against Azerbaijan. The suit accuses Azerbaijan of committing war crimes, including ethnic cleansing and erasing Armenian culture in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia’s representative at the ICJ, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, argued that Azerbaijan’s aggression was racially motivated, highlighting the mass expulsion of over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians from the territory. On the other hand, Azerbaijan sought a dismissal of the case, citing a technicality and claiming it fell outside the ICJ’s mandate.

This legal battle comes after Armenia and Azerbaijan both filed lawsuits against each other, which may take years to resolve. The ICJ has issued injunctions, including a ruling allowing Armenian refugees to return to Karabakh in a safe manner. Additionally, a California-based rights advocacy group has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Azerbaijani war crimes in Karabakh.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently suggested the possibility of dropping the legal cases as part of a comprehensive peace deal. However, this proposal has faced criticism in Armenia, with many arguing that seeking justice is crucial for accountability and preventing future crimes. Human rights advocates emphasize the importance of holding Azerbaijan accountable for past violations to ensure lasting peace in the region.