Azerbaijan to present new universal model for return of IDPs

Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Fuad Huseynov spoke on behalf of the Azerbaijani delegation at the 72nd session of the Executive Committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Report informs.

The session participants were informed about Armenia’s policy of occupation and deportation, as a result of which more than a million people were forcibly relocated to Azerbaijan.

The work with refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev is one of the main directions of state policy in the social sphere, and special attention is paid to solving their social problems. First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva is sensitive and caring to this category of citizens.

Huseynov noted that in September 2020, in response to another provocation by Armenia, the Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation. The victory in the 44-day war put an end to the 30-year-old conflict. This victory not only restored Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty but also laid the groundwork for the return of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis to their homeland. There is no longer a political and geographical name as Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan. The decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev established the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions. At present, the Azerbaijani state has a noble task to ensure the restoration, sustainable development of the liberated territories, and IDPs’ return and reintegration. The main issues on the country’s economic development are reflected in the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development.”

At present, security measures are being taken in the liberated territories, infrastructure projects are being implemented, and “smart village” and “smart city” projects will be given priority. At the same time, it was noted that Armenia had mined large areas of Azerbaijani lands, including non-military lands, which it kept under occupation for nearly 30 years. So far, Armenia has grossly violated fundamental human rights, especially the right to life, by refusing to hand over all the mined maps.

According to Huseynov, the Azerbaijani state will present a new universal model for post-conflict reconstruction, reintegration and return of former IDPs. The liberated territories will become a paradise. The support of international organizations during the reconstruction is crucial for Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is making serious efforts to fulfil all its international commitments on migration and refugee issues in the spirit of fair and constructive cooperation and is ready to continue collaboration with the UNHCR and other international partners. With the support of the UNHCR, Azerbaijan plans to carry out the process of voluntary, safe, and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons under the tripartite statement of November 10, 2020, following the norms and principles of international law, in particular with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Representatives of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN and other international organizations and the State Migration Service also attended the 72nd session of the Executive Committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.