Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of systematically erasing all traces of ethnic Armenians in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming that Baku has completed the ethnic cleansing of the area. The ongoing conflict between the two countries over the territory has been brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Armenia has filed a case against Azerbaijan for alleged discrimination and ethnic cleansing.
The ICJ case, filed in 2021, accuses Azerbaijan of glorifying racism against Armenians, allowing hate speech, and destroying Armenian cultural sites, putting Baku in violation of a UN anti-discrimination treaty. Armenia’s representative at the ICJ, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, stated that Azerbaijan is consolidating its control of Nagorno-Karabakh by erasing all traces of ethnic Armenians’ presence, including cultural and religious heritage.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union, with Armenia and Azerbaijan engaging in multiple full-scale conflicts over the territory. In a 2020 war that left over 6,600 people dead, Azerbaijan’s armed forces recaptured the region in September, prompting most ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia.
During the ICJ hearings, Azerbaijan argued that most of Armenia’s complaints did not fall within the scope of the UN treaty and accused Armenia of failing to engage in negotiations in good faith. However, Armenia refuted these claims, stating that they had negotiated with Azerbaijan in good faith and pursued discussions beyond the point of utility.
The ICJ issued emergency measures in November, ordering Azerbaijan to allow ethnic Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh to return. Azerbaijan has pledged to ensure the safety and security of all residents, regardless of national or ethnic origin, and denies forcing ethnic Armenians to leave the region.
The hearings at the ICJ will focus on legal objections to the court’s jurisdiction and will not address the merits of the discrimination claims. A final ruling in the case could be years away, and the ICJ lacks enforcement mechanisms for its rulings. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh continues to be a contentious issue with no easy resolution in sight.
