Statement by the Delegation of Armenia - Ms. Varduhi Melikyan, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, at the UNGA79 Sixth Committee under the agenda item[...]

Mr. Chair,

We would like to congratulate you and other members of the Bureau and to wish you much success in steering the work of the Committee.

Despite efforts to eliminate international terrorism, this global scourge continues to pose a serious threat to the maintenance of international peace and security, rule of law, democracy and the enjoyment of human rights. Multiple challenges continue to persist, including those emerging from new technologies, social media, and online platforms. The rise of hate speech, xenophobia, and polarization creates fertile ground for the recruitment of terrorists. Effectively addressing these evolving challenges calls for comprehensive analysis, proactive strategies, and strengthened international cooperation to mitigate the risks they pose to global security.

Countering terrorism and associated threats necessitates a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, suppression, and effective investigation. Armenia is fully committed to addressing the evolving threats posed by terrorism at the national, regional and international level. The relevant international conventions and documents to which Armenia is a party establish a robust normative framework to this end. Notably, Armenia's newly adopted Criminal Code, which now more comprehensively defines "the crime of terrorism" in alignment with our international commitments, has further strengthened our legal framework in fighting terrorism.

Through relevant cooperation platforms, Armenia has been actively working to strengthen and enhance counter-terrorism efforts by improving coordination and developing effective strategies, also, within the regional arrangements. As an active member of the Council of Europe's Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CDCT), Armenia has consistently contributed to the development of recommendations and guidelines for member States in combatting terrorism.

Mr. Chair,

The allegations put forward by Azerbaijan in their national submission to this year's report of the Secretary-General, are entirely false. The claims concerning the so-called "counter-terrorism measures carried out in September 2023" are nothing short of an attempt to justify an ethnic cleansing operation. The forcible displacement of 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, following a ten-month blockade and the use of starvation as a method of warfare illustrates this reality. Azerbaijan's indiscriminate military operations have caused hundreds of civilian casualties, including many children, resulting in a mass forcible displacment of people.

Furthermore, in its submission, Azerbaijan has claimed that "hundreds of its citizens have been victims of 'landmine terrorism' since 2020." We regret that Azerbaijan continues to justify its unlawful conduct with unfounded accusations about landmines - a claim that has been rejected twice by the International Court of Justice. It is well known that Armenia, despite being under no legal obligation to do so, has voluntarily provided all landmine data in its possession as a gesture of goodwill. Furthermore, Armenia has invited relevant international partners to participate in verifying the accuracy of this information.

We emphasize that, Azerbaijan's misguided assertions in their submission which aim to link Armenia to terrorism; rather amounts to hate speech targeting Armenia and its people - a state led policy, which has been cultivated in Azerbaijan for years.

Mr. Chair,

In conclusion, Armenia reaffirms its steadfast commitment in implementing effective measures to combat international terrorism that remains a grave threat to the maintenance of peace and security, democracy, the rule of law and the enjoyment of human rights.

I thank you.