Statement on the right of the peaceful protesters to a freedom of assembly

To: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the US Department of State and the EU

The Statement by the Legal Analysis and Research Public Union in regard to the statements of the USA, France and European Union expressing concerns on situation with Lachin road.

In regard to the statements of the USA, France and European Union expressing concerns on situation with Lachin road, on behalf of the Legal Analysis and Research Public Union, NGO based in Baku, as one of the participant of the protest action in Lachin road, we have to note that, there is no obstacle from Azerbaijani side for ensuring the safe movement of people, civil vehicles and goods along the Lachin corridor, in both directions.  

Azerbaijani eco-activists and NGO representatives, by exercising right to a free assembly, stipulated by the numerous international and European regional human rights conventions and declarations, continue protest action on the Lachin road in protest against the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits in the areas under the temporary control of Russian peacekeepers, especially the Kizylbulag gold and Demirli copper-molybdenum deposits.

Civil society members, NGOs working for the protection of environmental rights, and social activists using their rights, proclaimed by the existing international human rights documents, and national legislation, especially the rights to live in a healthy environment, right to freedom of assembly, right to freedom of movement, freedom of speech and expression express their just concerns about circumstances that cause environmental consequences that directly affect the violation of rights.

The rights of the peaceful protesters to the freedom of assembly and other related rights should be respected, as in any other democratic countries and societies.   

Lachin – Khankendi road is not blocked by civil protesters, and Armenian population can move freely with all civilian transport vehicles for civil purposes.

Azerbaijani NGOs are seriously concerned about the deterioration of the environmental situation in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur economic regions territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation temporarily deployed.

We call all foreign governments and international organizations expressing concerns related to the Lachin road blocking, to support our legitimate demands and the right of the peaceful protesters to the freedom of assembly and other related rights. The Eco-Terror against Azerbaijan and use of the Lachin road for military purposes and transport of anti-personnel mines, transport of illegal minerals should be stopped.

The peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation temporarily deployed in Karabakh area of Azerbaijan, should create necessary conditions for experts to conduct monitoring to determine the compliance of the activities with environmental standards and their potential impact on the environmental situation.

Legal Analysis and Research Public Union