The head of the Council of Europe's Baku office, Petr Zich, has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the ministry issued an official statement regarding the meeting.
During the meeting, a strong protest was lodged against the June 18 decision adopted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding Azerbaijan. The MFA emphasized that the ruling is unjust, biased, and contradicts the provisions of international law.
The ministry highlighted a significant contradiction: while the ECHR's June 16, 2016, ruling in the case of "Chiragov and Others v. Armenia" confirmed the de facto occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia and established that the occupying regime existed through Armenia's direct military and financial support, the current ruling refers to these territories as an independent entity, using the term "NKR." This terminology is fundamentally contrary to international law and established judicial procedures.
Furthermore, the ministry expressed strong objection to the terminology used in the court's decision, which conflicts with Azerbaijan's internationally recognized sovereignty and territorial integrity. The use of phrases such as "contact line between Azerbaijan and the 'NKR'," as well as references to the illegal regime's "army," "authorities," "prosecutor general," and "ombudsman," were characterized as attempts to legitimize the former illegal separatist regime.
The MFA clearly stated that the Republic of Azerbaijan categorically rejects this court decision. Officials emphasized that the Azerbaijani side will consider all available legal means to protect its legitimate interests and will take appropriate steps in response to this development.
The European Court of Human Rights, headquartered in Strasbourg, is an international court established under the European Convention on Human Rights. It hears applications alleging that contracting states have breached one or more of the human rights provisions set out in the Convention and its protocols. Azerbaijan has consistently advocated for the court to maintain impartiality and adhere strictly to the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty in its rulings concerning the region.
