Baku: The international community’s selective approach towards Armenia’s human rights violations has been criticized by MP Azer Allahveranov of Azerbaijan’s Parliament. In a statement to AZERTAC, Allahveranov emphasized the Western political circles’ and international democratic organizations’ oversight of Armenia’s internal political environment, which involves significant human rights abuses and repression of dissenting voices, journalists, and civil society institutions. Such developments, he argues, pose a direct threat to stability and democratic security in the region.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Allahveranov highlighted the West’s double standards during the historical conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Despite documented aggressive actions by Armenia at military, political, and humanitarian levels, these violations of international law did not receive substantial political or legal assessment from Western institutions. The expulsion of over a million Azerbaijanis, the Khojaly genocide, destruction of cultural heritage, and ecological disasters were left unresolved amid international silence. Allahveranov suggests that Armenia benefits from an “immunity image” not for geopolitical balance preservation but as a strategic instrument for the West in the South Caucasus.

Allahveranov further commented on the ongoing human rights violations in Armenia, noting that despite governmental changes, democratization and political freedoms have not progressed. The Armenian authorities are accused of exerting pressure through arrests and silencing campaigns against political opposition, independent journalists, bloggers, and civic activists. He cited a notorious incident in Armenia’s parliament resulting in murders as evidence of entrenched corruption and authoritarianism. Additionally, independent media face closures or severe pressure, with bloggers, journalists, and social media activists facing arrests or prosecution, hindering freedom of assembly and expression.

He remarked on the inconsistencies in the application of democracy and human rights principles by the West. While the West is vocal about issues in Azerbaijan, similar concerns in Armenia are not met with equivalent international attention, attributed to Armenia’s role as a geopolitical tool in the South Caucasus. The MP argued that Armenia’s human rights violations should be addressed not only as an internal crisis but also as a result of the international community’s selective attitude, which fosters impunity and perpetuates crimes against Azerbaijani people and Armenians alike.

Allahveranov concluded by asserting that for peace and democratic transformation to prevail, international relations must abandon one-sided approaches and apply equal legal-political assessments to all parties. Failure to do so, he warned, will threaten regional security and undermine global principles of law and justice.