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Nagorno-Karabakh

08 December 2020

Lead MP

Tim Loughton
East Worthing and Shoreham
Con

Responding Minister

Wendy Morton

Tags

Foreign AffairsCulture, Media & Sport
Word Count: 7977
Other Contributors: 6

At a Glance

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

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:

Lead Contributor

East Worthing and Shoreham
Opened the debate
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.

Government Response

Wendy Morton
Government Response
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.
Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.