- Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner calls for the right to return to Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Michael O’Flaherty stressed the need to ensure the rights of everyone in the region.
- He emphasized that those wishing to return to Nagorno-Karabakh should be free to do so.
- O’Flaherty commended Armenia for its warm reception of people from Nagorno-Karabakh.
- His statement was made at a PACE session in response to a question about Armenian prisoners.
Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Calls for Free Return to Nagorno-Karabakh
Strasbourg – Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, today addressed the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), emphasizing the critical need to uphold the rights of all individuals in the region, including ensuring the freedom of those who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh to do so without impediment.
During his address on Monday, April 7, 2025, Commissioner O’Flaherty responded to a question posed by Armenian MP Arusyak Dzhulhakyan regarding Armenian prisoners. In his response, he underscored the importance of respecting the human rights of everyone affected by the complex situation in the region.
A key aspect of his statement focused on the right of displaced persons to return to their homes voluntarily and in safety. O’Flaherty explicitly stated that all possible efforts should be made to ensure that individuals who desire to return to Nagorno-Karabakh are free to make that choice. This reflects international human rights principles regarding the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Furthermore, the Human Rights Commissioner also acknowledged and commended Armenia for its ongoing efforts in providing a welcoming environment for individuals who have arrived from Nagorno-Karabakh. “I also encourage Armenia to continue its warm reception of the persons it has received from Nagorno-Karabakh,” O’Flaherty said in response to MP Dzhulhakyan’s inquiry.
O’Flaherty’s statement highlights the continued international attention on the humanitarian situation and human rights concerns stemming from the situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. The Commissioner’s emphasis on the right to return aligns with broader calls from international organizations for a peaceful and rights-respecting resolution to the issues in the region.
The Council of Europe, as a leading human rights organization, continues to monitor the situation and advocate for the protection and promotion of human rights for all individuals affected by the conflict and its aftermath. O’Flaherty’s remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing need to address the complex humanitarian and human rights challenges in the region.