Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (17:24): I move:

That this council—

1. Notes the actions and belligerence of Azerbaijan towards the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh in commencing military action on 27 September 2020;

2. Notes the serious concerns that have been raised from Armenian-Australians regarding the existential threat to the indigenous Armenian population of the Republic of Artsakh by this military action and in any attempts by Azerbaijan to prevent the peaceful resettlement of the indigenous Armenian population following the agreement to a provisional ceasefire on 9 November 2020;

3. Notes the serious concerns raised by Armenian-Australians and independent international organisations regarding the risk of Azerbaijan destroying sites of global cultural and historical significance;

4. Condemns the actions of President Erdogan of Turkey and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan in their pursuit of a policy of Pan-Turkish nationalism, which has previously led to genocide and which now threatens the Armenian population of Artsakh with ethnic cleansing;

5. Calls on the federal government to condemn these attacks and advocate for the safety and security of Armenia and Artsakh in the context of international support for a stable and enduring peace settlement;

6. Recognises the right to self-determination of all peoples including those of the Republic of Artsakh and calls on the federal government to also recognise the Republic of Artsakh as the only permanent solution to the conflict to avoid further attempts of such military aggression.

I rise to speak on the motion to condemn the actions and belligerence of Azerbaijan towards the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh in commencing military action on 27 September 2020. This motion notes the serious concerns that have been raised by Armenian-Australians regarding the existential threat to the indigenous Armenian population of the Republic of Artsakh by this military action and in any attempts by Azerbaijan to prevent the peaceful resettlement of the indigenous Armenian population following the agreement to a provisional ceasefire on 9 November 2020.

Further, the motion highlights the serious concerns raised by Armenian-Australians and independent international organisations, such as the United Nations, on the Azerbaijan regime destroying sites of global cultural and historical significance. I ask that members of this chamber join me in condemning President Erdogan of Turkey and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan in their pursuit of a policy of Pan-Turkish nationalism, which has previously led to genocide and which now threatens the Armenian population of Artsakh with ethnic cleaning.

We, as a state, have the ability to voice our concerns to the federal parliament and through this motion call on them to condemn these actions and advocate for the safety and security in Armenia and Artsakh to ensure stable and enduring peace. This chamber should recognise the right to self-determination of all peoples. As such, we must recognise the Republic of Artsakh as the only permanent solution to the conflict to avoid further attempts of such military aggression.

I would like to acknowledge members of the Armenian Cultural Association of South Australia who join us in this chamber today. I thank them for their continued advocacy of the Armenian people, not only in Australia but also overseas. We have seen many motions like this over the history of this parliament. One of those was in 2009, when both houses recognised the genocide of 1½ million Armenians in 1915 through the deliberate expansionist policies of OttomanTurkey.

Today, we are again highlighting and condemning the atrocities of Turkish forces on the Armenian people. After many decades of simmering conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, violence erupted in late September 2020 predominantly over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, turning it into the worst fighting the area has seen since the 1915 genocide.

The disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh is likewise populated by ethnic Armenians and has been a historical home for Armenians for a millennium. Backed by Turkish forces, Azerbaijan was equipped with sophisticated attack drones and powerful long-range artillery that has left a horrific mark of devastation.

Turkey's direct involvement in supporting its ethnic ally, Azerbaijan, escalated what was a local conflict into one of large proportion across the whole region. Over the conflict, thousands were killed and over 100,000 people were displaced. Towards the end of the conflict, Azerbaijan forces captured the Nagorno-Karabakh regions, the second largest city and cut a key access road needed for military supplies to reach the mountain area.

A ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia was reached on 9 November last year. Immediately following the agreement, Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the conflict zone, guarding access and overseeing handover of land. Although the continued suspension of conflict under the ceasefire arrangements is a welcome reprieve, for many displaced or those who have lost loved ones, it is a difficult and uncertain time.

Questions must also be raised about the ruling of the ceasefire. Alongside Russia, Turkey has military officials working at a peacekeeping command centre in Azerbaijan. With their involvement in diplomatic and military support for Azerbaijan during the conflict, it seems somewhat extraordinary to place Turkish forces as peacekeepers in the area.

Armenia is a small nation of three million people and in 2018 democratically elected a government that was a shining example of democracy and justice in the region. Turkey has much to answer for and their actions show their disregard for the rights of other peoples in the region. Their growing assertiveness is of concern. It extends beyond their borders, having ramifications for stability across the whole region. For far too long the Armenian people have suffered at the hands of greater powers in the region. It is time that stability and normality returns to Armenia and its people, and I urge the chamber to support the motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.