Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Nagorno-Karabakh

08 December 2020 · 6 other contributors · 7,977 words

Opened by Tim Loughton Con East Worthing and Shoreham

Responding minister: Wendy Morton

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tim Loughton raised concerns about nagorno-karabakh in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Tim Loughton raises concerns about the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh involving thousands of fatalities and casualties.
  • Loughton highlights Azerbaijan's use of Syrian mercenaries and banned munitions, resulting in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
  • The minister acknowledges the devastating impact of the fighting on civilians and states the government will continue to support the OSCE Minsk group.

Key requests to Government

Loughton asks for condemnation of Azerbaijan's actions, including the use of Syrian mercenaries and illegal weapons. He calls for western peacekeepers to monitor the region, an investigation into war crimes, and the recognition of the Armenian genocide by the Ottoman Turks.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tim Loughton Con East Worthing and Shoreham

Tim Loughton is concerned about the recent military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, involving thousands of fatalities and casualties. He highlights that Azerbaijan launched unprovoked attacks on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to indiscriminate shelling of civilian populations and destruction of towns and cultural sites. Additionally, there have been reports of ethnic cleansing and the use of banned munitions such as cluster bombs and kamikaze drones, causing significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

Other contributors (6)
  • Alyn Smith

    Alyn Smith discussed the need for international observers in the region post-ceasefire and highlighted the evolving threat from advanced weaponry such as drones, urging the UK to play a greater role in peace-building efforts. He also called for closing legal grey areas related to lethal autonomous weapons.

  • Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet

    Expressed concerns about the humanitarian catastrophe in Nagorno-Karabakh, including access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to detained combatants and the deceased. Raised questions on Turkey's role in the conflict and called for a frank conversation with the Turkish ambassador regarding the use of Syrian and Iraqi fighters. Asked what efforts are being made to involve Russia and the international community to reinvigorate the Minsk format.

  • Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North

    Concerned about the humanitarian crisis and violations of international law in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the use of cluster bombs by Azerbaijan and support from Turkey. She raised questions regarding the UK's silence on these issues and urged condemnation of such actions.

  • Fiona Bruce Con Congleton

    The MP highlighted the urgent need to secure the return of Armenian prisoners of war and to hold Azerbaijanis accountable for atrocities committed during and after the conflict. She also raised concerns about potential ethnic cleansing and called for a properly constituted international body to investigate alleged war crimes.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon expressed deep concern over the treatment of POWs and civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting instances of torture and violence. He called for international efforts to ensure prisoners are returned safely under Geneva Convention guidelines. In response to Rupa Huq's intervention, Jim Shannon questioned whether NATO should reconsider Turkey's position within the alliance due to its actions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

  • Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton

    This conflict affects diaspora communities in the UK, particularly those represented by Annette Moskofian of the Armenian National Committee. The Hayshen centre and Navasartian centre in her constituency played a vital role when international attention was elsewhere. Rupa Huq raised concerns about British people with dual nationality caught up in the conflict, pointing out that there has been no full British ambassador for over a year, suggesting the conflict is deprioritised. Asked about consular assistance for UK citizens in Nagorno-Karabakh, suggesting that the UK is lagging behind other countries involved in the Minsk process.

Government Response

Wendy Morton

In the time available, I will endeavour to answer as many questions as I can. Since the fighting broke out, we have been pressing both sides on the need to end the fighting and secure a humanitarian ceasefire and peace settlement. The impact of recent fighting on innocent civilians has been devastating. We acknowledge that both sides had to make difficult decisions to reach the peace settlement. The Government will continue to support the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group—France, Russia and the United States—to ensure a sustainable settlement. Despite not being a member of the OSCE Minsk group, the UK was diplomatically active throughout the conflict, with officials speaking multiple times to Foreign Ministers from both countries as well as Turkey. The Government welcomed the ceasefire but are aware of challenges in getting access for humanitarian support and continue to consider further funding in areas like de-mining, reconstruction, and reconciliation. We will raise any concerns directly with parties involved and stress the importance that all discussions take place under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk group. The UK Government remains concerned about reports of foreign fighters being deployed but have seen no conclusive evidence of direct Turkish involvement. Concerns over desecration of cultural heritage were raised, and our embassies in Baku and Yerevan continue to engage on this matter. We will take appropriate action if irrefutable evidence of war crimes is presented. The UK did not veto a UNSC product; however, the UN Security Council was unable to agree on the text of a statement seeking an end to the conflict. We are deeply concerned by reports that both sides used cluster munitions during the conflict and continue to engage with our partners to see lasting peace and recovery in the region.

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