International Court of Justice orders Azerbaijan to allow safe return of residents who fled the territory

The International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan on Friday, November 17 to allow a return “safely” inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory of which Baku regained control in September during a lightning offensive. “The Republic of Azerbaijan must ensure that anyone who left Nagorno-Karabakh after September 19, 2023 and wishes to return is able to do so safely, freely and quickly”ruled the court, seized by Armenia.

As a direct consequence of the offensive, almost the entire Armenian population had left the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which announced its dissolution on January 1, 2024. In just a few days, the majority of the 120,000 inhabitants fled to the Armenia along the narrow Lachin Corridor.

Armenia had filed a request with the highest court of the United Nations to get Azerbaijan to stop all action “aiming to (…) displace the remaining Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh”, and allow the safe return of displaced populations. The court also ordered Baku to “ensure that anyone who may have remained in Nagorno-Karabakh after September 19, 2023 and who wishes to leave is able to do so safely, freely and quickly”.