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Concern for refugees in Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict - UNHCR 26 September 2023
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) raised concerns on Tuesday over the movement of a large number of civilians to Armenia as a result of the recent hostilities in the region.
Some 13,550 refugees have reportedly left the Karabakh Economic Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including many elderly, women and children.
UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo called on all sides to protect civilians and to fully respect international humanitarian refugee law allowing them safe passage.
All parties must “refrain from actions that would cause displacement of civilians and ensure their safety, security and human rights and nobody should be forced to flee their homes”, said Ms. Mantoo, speaking during a scheduled UN agency briefing in Geneva.
Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region has persisted for more than three decades, but a ceasefire and subsequent Trilateral Statement was agreed almost three years ago following six weeks of fighting, by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, leading to the deployment of several thousand Russian peacekeepers.
Amid last week’s flare-up in fighting and the arrival of the first refugees in Armenia, UN Secretary-General António Guterres through his Spokesperson called for fully-fledged access for aid workers to people in need.
The UN chief also called for de-escalation “in the strongest terms” and “stricter” observance of the 2020 ceasefire, and principles of international humanitarian law.
Echoing Mr. Guterres’ appeal, UNHCR’s Ms. Mantoo explained that amid the “complex and multicultural” situation, access to asylum must be maintained for people in need of international protection “to ensure that people are treated humanely, that their rights are protected and respected, and that they can access the protection and safety that they need”.
Support is also needed for countries at the front lines that are receiving people in need of protection, Ms. Mantoo said.
The UNHCR official also called for “alternatives for a legal stay”, and an “expansion of regular and safe pathways so people don't have to risk their lives and that we don't see these types of backlogs and pressures”.
She reiterated that the regional response requires international solidarity and a concerted effort by all states and stakeholders.
Regarding UNHCR’s teams on the ground in southern Armenia, Ms. Mantoo explained that they were monitoring the situation closely.
People were “suffering the effects of trauma and exhaustion and need urgent psychosocial support” Ms. Mantoo said, adding that the government of Armenia was leading the response and was expected to appeal to the international community for further support.
For its part, the UN agency has also provided assistance, including non-food items, portable beds, mattresses and bedding. “There is also a need for shelter, warm clothing and other essential non-food items. And we're mobilizing further assistance and coordinating with local government and partners to respond to the increasing needs,” she added.
STORY: Concern for refugees in Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict - UNHCR
TRT: 02:45”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 26 SEPT 2023, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
- Exterior wide shot, United Nations flag flying.
- Wide shot of panel and attendees at press briefing.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson: “UNHCR is calling on all sides to protect civilians and to fully respect international humanitarian refugee law allowing safe passage of civilians. We are concerned with the increasing number of people fleeing to Armenia, and we call on all parties to refrain from actions that would cause displacement of civilians and ensure their safety, security and human rights and nobody should be forced to flee their homes.”
- Attendees at briefing.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson: “UNHCR do have teams on the ground in southern Armenia and we're closely monitoring the situation. What we know is that we as of this morning, the government has reported some 13,550 new arrivals, including many vulnerable people such as older people, women and children.”
- Attendees at briefing.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson: “People are suffering the effects of trauma and exhaustion and need urgent psychosocial support. The government of the Republic of Armenia is leading the response and indicated it will reach out to the international community to request support as and when needed and so far, upon the request of the government, UNHCR has provided some assistance, what we call non-food items, including portable beds, mattresses and bedding items, and has pre-positioned further items.”
- Attendees at briefing.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson: “So there is also a need for for shelter, warm clothing and other essential non-food items. And we're mobilizing further assistance and coordinating with local government and partners to respond to the increasing needs.”
- Mid-view of attendees at briefing.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson: “It's a complex and multicultural human mobility context. But what is really important to always maintain access to asylum for people in need of international protection, to ensure that people are treated humanely, that their rights are protected and respected, and that they can access the protection and safety that they need, and that there's also support to countries that are at the front lines, that are receiving people who are in need of protection.”
- Mid view of attendees at briefing.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson:” We need also alternatives for a legal stay, an expansion of regular and safe pathways so people don't have to risk their lives and that we don't see these types of backlogs and and pressures. So it does require a regional response that requires international solidarity and a concerted effort by all states and stakeholders.”
- Wide of attendees at briefing
- Mid-shot of attendees.
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