Evidence of meeting #46 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was armenian.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Mr. Chair, I don't know whether this is the moment to raise this. Perhaps I could request that we save one or two minutes at the end of this hour.
I understand there is a deadline of February 8 in order to submit travel requests on behalf of the committee. I wonder if we might keep a moment following the witness's appearance today to discuss what this committee might like to request.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Absolutely, Ms. Bendayan.
Madam Ambassador, our apologies for that. You now have the floor. You have five minutes.
When there are 30 seconds remaining, I will hold this up to indicate that we'd be grateful if you could kindly wrap it up within 30 seconds. The same rule applies when it comes to questions that are put to you by members.
Thank you for being with us, Madam Ambassador. The floor is yours for five minutes.
Her Excellency Anahit Harutyunyan Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to appear before this hearing.
I wish I was here to brief you on the recent achievements in Armenia-Canada relations, to discuss the extensive report of Special Envoy Dion on how Canada can better support the Armenian democracy, or to talk about the importance of the decision by the Canadian government to open an embassy in Armenia. The latter has become a reality, among many other factors, through years of tireless advocacy by a number of members of this esteemed committee.
However, unfortunately, the security crisis and challenges following the 2020 war by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the following aggression and occupation by Azerbaijan of the sovereign territory of Armenia, and specifically the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor force me to concentrate on these issues, which seriously undermine the efforts of Armenia to attain sustainable peace and stability in the south Caucasus.
Immediately after signing the trilateral statement on November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan violated its commitment to a complete ceasefire and cessation of all military operations by launching an attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in the capture of two more Armenian villages.
In May and November 2021, as well as September 2022, Azerbaijan launched a military incursion against Armenia in which it seized 140 square kilometres of Armenian sovereign territories. Today, after almost two months of the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor by self-proclaimed environmental activists, Azerbaijan has and continues to deepen the humanitarian crisis, with a far-reaching aim to ethnically cleanse the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.
One can wonder why there is such strong doubt about the so-called environmental activists' true intentions. It is a well-established fact that in matters of civil and political liberties, Azerbaijan holds one of the worst democratic rankings in the world, with a proven track record of suppression of protests and with dozens of political prisoners. The suggestion that there could be civilian activists in Azerbaijan who would be capable of launching a campaign of this size and scope without the direct guidance and supervision of the state authorities is implausible, to say the least.
Following the signing of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement, Armenia spared no effort to achieve a normalization of relations with Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan, instead of engaging in good-faith negotiations, continues its aggressive posturing and anti-Armenian rhetoric, refuses to repatriate Armenian prisoners of war, and is intentionally destroying the Armenian cultural heritage with the aim of desecrating our history.
Indeed, had Azerbaijan been genuinely interested in peace, or in a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh or at the borders with Armenia, it would not be denying the international community access to the region.
The aggressive actions of Azerbaijan clearly establish that in the absence of strong enforcement measures, including application of sanctions, the aggressor is and will continue to be encouraged to test the resilience and the determination of the international community. The only possible way of guaranteeing durable peace and stability in the south Caucasus is the continued involvement of the international community.
Under these circumstances, we highlight the importance of a strong international consensus on the immediate and unconditional cessation of the blockade of the Lachin corridor, and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the southeastern parts of Armenia.
In conclusion, please allow me to state that Armenia highly appreciates the statement made by Canada, calling for the full restoration of free movement through the Lachin corridor, as well as the statements made by a number of MPs of this honourable committee.
In this context, we rely on your continued support in order to exercise the significant leverage the international community is capable of to pressure Azerbaijan to stop the further deterioration of the dire situation currently unfolding in Artsakh in order to prevent a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe.
There should be no illusion that the continuous aggression and the threat of the use of force, accompanied by war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law, can ever become the basis for a lasting and sustainable peace.
Thank you very much.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you very much, Madam Ambassador.
We now open it up to questions by members.
For the first round, we will have five minutes each.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Because of all the questioning and stuff, I want to make sure we have two rounds.
Mr. Genuis, you have five minutes.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Thank you, Chair.
Your Excellency, thank you for being here. I share your significant concern about ongoing Azeri state aggression in general and the Lachin corridor blockade in particular. Reviewing the testimony from previous hearings, I think it became clear that there is an ongoing blockade that is causing the humanitarian crisis. Although certain forms of assistance get through from time to time, it is nowhere near the scope and scale required to maintain anything like normal life. It's also very clear from the evidence you've presented, but also that others have presented, that it is a choice by the Azeri state to cause this blockade to occur.
Could you please speak specifically to the role of Canada in this? Obviously, as a foreign affairs committee in Canada, our primary role is to advise the Government of Canada on steps it should be taking in response to this. What constructive actions would you like to see the Government of Canada take to address the wider situation, in particular the immediate crisis of the corridor blockade?
Anahit Harutyunyan
Of course, as I mentioned in my testimony, we highly appreciated, right after the blockade of the Lachin corridor, the statement made by the Canadian government calling for Azerbaijan to unblock the Lachin corridor. That was an important step. At the same time, we understand that maybe Canada doesn't have the same presence as its allies, the United States and France.
What Canada can do is to continue working closely with its allies to try to contribute to all of the missions and steps that our allies are taking. More specifically, as you know, the European Union decided to send a long-term civilian fact-finding mission to the borders with Armenia, which was a very important step. The Armenian government appreciated that move from the European Union. Canada can be supportive of that mission.
The other things we've seen in the case of authoritarian and corrupt regimes and that I think could be effective for Azerbaijan are the sanctions. Sanctions would be important to apply. If this committee could come up with these suggestions, this would also be very reasonable and important.
The other thing I can suggest to this committee, if you consider it appropriate, is that a resolution on behalf of the House of Commons would also be very much welcomed. It can pressure Azerbaijan.
As I mentioned during my testimony, the international pressure and the consensus of western democracies on what's going on in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the borders with Armenia are very important.
The other important thing that I can mention here is this: Don't be shy to call out Azerbaijan when it comes to human rights and the corruption they are heading. Talk about the prisoners of war, the political prisoners that Azerbaijan still has. Discourage your businesses from making investments in the corrupt Azerbaijani state. This is also another way of pressuring Azerbaijan.
The most important thing I think I might share with you as a foreign affairs committee is to continue to work with your NATO ally, Turkey. Turkey's negative involvement in our region doesn't allow us to find long and lasting peace. This is another thing you can hold consultations on. You can advise Global Affairs Canada to try to pressure Turkey to be engaged in the south Caucasus in a positive way.
Thank you.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Thank you.
If I can respond to a few of those points, this committee does have the ability to adopt resolutions, which can then be referred to the House and concurred with by the House. I hope we will have an opportunity to do that with respect to the Lachin corridor and other issues.
I note, with respect to your comments about sanctions and material complicity, that this committee worked specifically on arms sales to Turkey and on those weapons ending up in the hands of the Azeri state. We were very critical of the government for its failures around that.
What kind of targeted measures can we undertake to ensure we're not in any way materially complicit with these threats to international peace and security or with the repression of the people of Azerbaijan by their government? What recommendations would you say that Canada can implement to ensure we're not complicit again in that kind of violence?
Anahit Harutyunyan
It's very important not to hear both sides' statements anymore when it comes to Azerbaijan and Armenia. The actions of Azerbaijan are talking by themselves. Whenever you're talking to the Azerbaijani side, make sure you name the aggressor and you know what's going on. These are the most important actions Canada can take.
We would appreciate a continuous dialogue. Of course, I work closely with Global Affairs on a daily basis. I am always in touch with all of you here. I think this is very important. Human rights, democratic values, are something we share with Canada, and we have to be supported when it comes to violations of these values.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, and it's a pleasure to see you again, Madam Ambassador.
At the outset of your introductory remarks, you mentioned the importance of the embassy in Yerevan and the involvement of many members, as well as the advocacy, of course, of the Armenian community here in Canada for that embassy.
Can you give us a sense of the impact that embassy will have and perhaps is already having in terms of the relationship between our two countries?
Anahit Harutyunyan
Thank you.
Of course, as I mentioned in my testimony, the report of Stéphane Dion became a very important basis on which the Canadian government made the decision to open an embassy in Armenia. We truly hope the embassy will be open very soon, hopefully in the summer.
I can tell you why, from the Armenian perspective, it is very important. At the same time, I'm here to stress the importance from a Canadian perspective as well. I would like to quote from the Stéphane Dion report and give some thoughts that he shared in his report as to why Canada decided to open an embassy in Armenia and not in Azerbaijan. As you understand, I was following last week's hearings and I heard some questions and witnesses pointing out the necessity of having embassies in the two countries.
Though Stéphane Dion's report concentrated mainly on supporting the Armenian democracy and finding ways for Canada to support that democracy, at the same time he understood quite well that our security is directly connected with our democracy. That's why he's calling the Armenian democracy fragile.
In his report, he makes one mention of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict:
The risks of war decrease with the advance of democracy. The more two countries in conflict move towards democracy, the more they maximize their chances of finding common ground and a peaceful settlement. To put it bluntly, when Azerbaijan makes decisive progress towards more democracy, Canada should consider ways to increase its presence there. By doing so, Canada would support the democratic transition in Azerbaijan as well as the prospects for peace with Armenia.
Again, this is a very important point that is raised in this report, because for us, as a democratic country, it would have been much easier to negotiate with a democratic Azerbaijan than with this corrupt regime in Azerbaijan.
Thank you.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Madam Ambassador.
Certainly this report by our government's special envoy, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, is extremely important. There were 11 recommendations in that report. I'm sure you'll have an opportunity to touch on some of those in further questioning.
With the time I have remaining, I would just like to highlight that just yesterday, representations were made before the International Court of Justice, the ICJ, in a hearing that I understand began in 2020.
Is there anything you would like to share with this committee about the importance of that process and how you see progress moving forward?
Anahit Harutyunyan
Yes, you are correct that yesterday the International Court of Justice held public hearings concerning the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in Armenia vis-à-vis Azerbaijan.
Of course, it was mainly the issue of the Lachin corridor that was presented by the Armenian side. As one of the representatives of the Armenian side rightly mentioned, the court is the last resort for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to be freed from the threat of ethnic cleansing that they are living under on a daily basis. What we see in the Lachin corridor is proof of that.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Do you have further dates for hearings? Are you confident in the process that has been established at the ICJ?
Anahit Harutyunyan
I can say that we have made a very strong case. I was following, of course, the Azerbaijani side, too. I'm not talking here as an Armenian representative, but I thought that our side was very well prepared. The arguments were made very clearly to the court. I truly hope that the court will make a decision, the right one, that will express the interests of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. We are talking about people and human rights.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Madam Ambassador.
With the few seconds I have remaining, I will just say that you have been following the meetings of this committee on the topic quite closely, and you have probably heard members request that facts and information on the ground be brought to our committee. I would invite you to provide this committee with any information you may have as events continue to unfold and things continue to develop in the region.
