Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) Presidential Elections of July 19, 2012

23 July, 2012

The free, fair and competitive elections that were held in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on July 19 come forth to testify the Republic’s and its authorities’ commitment to strengthening democracy, rule of law and exercising fundamental human rights in Artsakh.

A few dozen international observers, including Canadian MP, the Honorable Jim Karygiannis, monitored the 2012 Presidential Elections and considered them well organized, transparent and in conformity with international standards. The Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group of the OSCE, the main venue for the solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have also acknowledged “the need for the de facto authorities in NK to try to organize democratically the public life of their population with such a procedure”.

Nagorno-Karabakh is not just a name of the conflict between self-determined Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan, it is also a territory inhabited by a population that should not be deprived of their fundamental rights. The Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “…no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty”; and furthermore, the Article 21 of the Declaration enshrines the rights to vote and participate in the governing bodies. Therefore it is frustrating to see the reaction of Azerbaijan to the exercise of fundamental rights by the self-determined population of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It is also unacceptable for a democratic community such as one established in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to reproduce the power by an act of inheritance. No President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has ever remained in power for more than two subsequent terms, which is a good practice to be followed all across the region.

The 2012 Presidential Elections in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic demonstrated once again its dedication to democratic processes and standards, the determination of the people and government to build a democracy and establish rule of law.

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