Statement of Armenia at the Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, October, 2015
Statement of Armenia, October, 2015
Armenia has always been at the forefront of the promotion and protection of women’s rights. With regard to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), we would like to emphasize the importance of implementing confidence-building measures, including people-to-people contacts. We should also recognize the links between resolution 1325 (2000) and other international instruments concerning gender equality, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform and Plan of Action. This year, Armenia has prepared and submitted to the relevant bodies of the United Nations two important documents, our national review for Beijing+20 and our fifth and sixth joint periodic reports on CEDAW. They give a detailed analysis of our country’s implementation of its commitments on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Statement of Armenia, October, 2015
As far as the international aspects of our national plan are concerned, we have to face certain realities and challenges on the ground. Twenty-one years after the conclusion of the trilateral ceasefire agreement that ended the active military phase of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the physical security and survival of the people of Nagorno Karabakh is still under threat. By the same token, the civilians residing in Armenia’s border territory have been systematically and indiscriminately targeted by Azerbaijani armed forces. Armenia strongly condemns these violations of international humanitarian law and the tragedy that occurred at the end of September, in which three women in Armenian border settlements were killed.
Statement of Armenia, October, 2015
Armenia has always advocated for confidence-building measures relating to the situation of women living across dividing lines, particularly in areas of conflict. Unfortunately, we have not able to exploit the great potential of such trust-building, given the position of Azerbaijan on the issue. The imprisonment of Azerbaijani peace and human rights activists involved in international projects, including Leyla Yunus, continues to be an insurmountable impediment to full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Armenia remains committed to addressing the issues of women and peace and security in line with the aspirations of the people of Armenia and its international obligations.