Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

On October 24th, as the United Nations celebrate its 75th anniversary, we - the undersigned non-governmental organizations from Armenia, feel that we are obliged to remind this prominent institution of its major mission – the maintenance of international peace and security across the globe through working to prevent conflict, helping parties in conflict make peace, peacekeeping, and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish.

It is with heavy heart that we claim the poor performance of the United Nations as we see the atrocities unravelling before our very eyes in various locations of the globe. Multiple structures of the UN demonstrate not to be capable of reacting timely and adequately to the fierce threats to human lives, medieval brutalities and humanitarian disasters in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar and now in Artsakh (aka Nagorno-Karabagh). It is obvious and unfortunate that the idleness of these institutions in critical situations is not as much conditioned by “heavy” nature typical for bureaucratic organizations, but often by double standards, realpolitik, corrupt games and interests of states, politicians and large businesses, that prove to prevail over the UN core values and fundamental human rights.

The United Nations has to act NOW to protect human lives, rights and freedoms of Artsakh people.

We believe that the United Nations - as the holder of the post-WWII achievement of moral standing on inalienable rights of all members of the human family, all members without any prejudice and preference - is the authoritative voice that should help all peoples and all nations to renew the foundations of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Hence, we appeal to the United Nations, particularly to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council to act in an adequate and timely manner to stop the attempt for ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, act decisively on their responsibilities to protect civilians and the rights of the indigenous people for living, for being free from torture and for self-determination.

Obviously, people of Artsakh cannot live under the rule of an aggressor state that merely wants the territory without its population, hence the United Nations has to take into consideration the remedial rights of people of Artsakh and recognize the independence of Artsakh for the sake of salvation of its people.

SIGNATORIES:

Transparency International Anticorruption Center

Law Development and Protection Foundation

“Protection of Rights Without Borders” NGO

“For Equal Rights” NGO

Open Society Foundations - Armenia

Helsinki Citizens Assembly - Vanadzor

Tufenkian Foundation

Womens’ Support Center

“PINK” human rights NGO

Center for Perspective Development

Freedom of Information Center of Armenia

Public Journalism Club

Human Rights Research Center

Women's Rights House NGO

“Human Rights Power” NGO

Women's Rights Center

“Agate” Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities

“Society without Violence” NGO

“Spitak Helsinki Group” NGO

Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression

Media Initiatives Center

“Yerevan Press Club” NGO

“Armenian Camp” NGO

Non-Discrimination and Equality Coalition

Armenian Center for Ethnological Studies “Hazarashen

Centre of Economic Right

Centre for Policy Studies

Armenian Constitutional Right – Protective Centre NGO

“TRTU” cultural NGO

“Ecoteam” NGO

“EcoLur” Informational NGO

Audio-Visual Reporters Association

Foundation for Small and Medium Businesses