Society 22:49 07/11/2020 Armenia

Expert: Azerbaijan's use of phosphorus munitions in Artsakh not only international crime, but also manifestation of its own powerlessness

The negative impact of war on the environment is an irrefutable fact. The term "ecocide" was first used at the UN environmental conference in Stockholm in 1972 to refer to the devastating effects of chemical weapons on the environment used in the Vietnam War. In the 1980s, studies by Vietnamese experts showed that only 10-30% of species of animals and birds survived in the poisoned forested areas.

During the summit, it was proposed to include "ecocide" in the list of crimes against peace, but it remained up in the air. Meanwhile, ecocides continue to date․․․

Panorama.am spoke with Nune Sakanyan, an environmental management specialist and the president of the Women in Climate and Energy (WiCE) NGO, about the ongoing ecocide in Artsakh and the need to raise awareness about it.

"The Armenian Highlands have been recognized by leading international environmental organizations as one of the world’s hotspots in terms of biodiversity. And the forested areas, which make up about 36% of the territory of Artsakh, are home to endangered species, which are listed on the local and international red lists, such as bald and white-headed eagles, grizzly bears, Caucasian leopards, etc. Today, environmentalists' joint alarm about the ecocide is aimed at preventing such crimes," said Nune Sakanyan, adding that Armenia is one of the few countries that has designated the ecocide as a crime.

"According to Armenia’s Criminal Code, deliberate mass destruction of flora and fauna, poisoning of lands and water resources, as well as other acts causing an ecological disaster are punished with imprisonment. And in this sense, it is not surprising that environmentalists alerted that on October 30, the Azerbaijani armed forces used incendiary weapons containing, most likely, white phosphorus in the forested regions of Artsakh. It can cause irreversible damage, from massive forest fires to air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity," Sakanyan said.

According to the expert, the military equipment used during the conflict and the intensity of the bombings, which we are witnessing, have a devastating and irreversible impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity. As for the use of white phosphorous munitions, he said:

"Phosphorus munitions threaten the existence of the natural environment, biodiversity and man. According to studies on the effects of white phosphorus weapons on the environment, burning in the air they produce toxic gases that cause both environmental pollution and adverse effects on the human respiratory system. White phosphorus has destructive effects on the environment, particularly on vegetation. According to preliminary data, more than 1,800 hectares of forested area of Artsakh were set on fire in two days. The continuous use of this weapon causes widespread damage in a short period of time, accumulating in the soil and rivers and causing pollution, which persists for many years. The agricultural crops produced in the areas are damaged.”

The use of chemical weapons changes the structure of the soil, causing erosion and depriving the population of the opportunity to use their own land. According to the expert, the war crimes against Artsakh, including the targeting of the civilian population, civilian infrastructure, as well as the ecocide, aim to create an environment where it will be simply impossible to live. This is an international environmental crime.

It turns out that Azerbaijan, out of its powerlessness to seize the lands of Artsakh, simply spoils them or tries to make them useless.



Source Panorama.am
Share |

Newsfeed

14:07
Expert: Pashinyan decided to terrorize Artsakh leaders
Political analyst Suren Surenyants has criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements on Artsakh leaders at a cabinet meeting on...
13:35
Analyst: The West doesn't care about Armenia
The West wants Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a peace treaty as soon as possible and Armenia's territorial losses do not matter to it,...
13:06
Moscow concerned over anti-Russian bias of Armenia-EU-US meeting
The Armenia-EU-US meeting scheduled for April 5 is causing Moscow’s concern as Washington and Brussels are openly discussing its...
12:37
Pashinyan: Some circles displaced from Karabakh take actions threatening Armenia's security
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warns that the actions taken by “some circles” forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)...
12:04
Artsakh dissolution decree was 'the only way' to save people, president says
President Samvel Shahramanyan claims his decree ordering the dissolution of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic was the “only...
11:30
Japanese supplement products recalled after two deaths and over 100 people hospitalized
Health supplement products believed to have caused two deaths and sickened more than 100 people have been ordered to be taken off store shelves...
11:15
Today is Holy Thursday
The week leading up to Easter or Holy Resurrection is called Holy Week (in Armenian Avak Shabat). During this period, the Armenian Apostolic...
11:00
Upcoming Armenia-US-EU meeting not directed against any third party – Foreign Ministry
The high-level meeting scheduled for April 5 in Brussels is aimed at strengthening Armenia-EU-US cooperation and is not directed against...
17:00
Azerbaijan's team opts out of Sambo World Cup in Yerevan
Azerbaijan's national team will not participate in the Sambo World Cup to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, Azerbaijani Sambo Federation official...
16:45
Biden calls Putin 'butcher'
US President Joe Biden has disparaged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for the second time in two months, publicly calling him a...
16:30
Armenian parliament speaker defends land handover to Azerbaijan
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has defended the plans to hand over border villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan. He...
16:04
Azerbaijan must create conditions for safe return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, UK says
The UK government is clear that Azerbaijan must create the conditions for a safe and secure return of ethnic Armenians who were displaced from...
15:35
Photo campaign calls for release of political prisoners in Armenia
A photo campaign for the release of Armenian opposition activists has been launched in Yerevan. Photos of political prisoners Narek...
15:15
Arthur Abraham's father dies at 68
German-Armenian boxing star Arthur Abraham’s father, Grigor Abrahamyan, has died in Berlin at the age of 68. “We’re deeply...
15:00
Armenian MP warns of threats after possible land handover to Azerbaijan
Opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan has warned of threats to a number of settlements in Armenia amid Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s signaled...
14:31
EU mission hosts French ambassador to Armenia
The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) on Wednesday hosted French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies and members of the French...
14:06
Azerbaijan opposes Armenia-EU-US conference
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has deplored the EU-Armenia-US joint conference scheduled for 5 April, warning that it will create...
13:36
Political prisoner Vazgen Saghatelyan slams Pashinyan in letter from prison
Political prisoner Vazgen Saghatelyan has blasted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his regime for efforts to silence their critics in...
12:34
U.S. aims to encourage Armenia and Azerbaijan to bridge differences – State Dept.
The objective of the United States is to encourage Armenia and Azerbaijan to bridge their differences, U.S. State Department...
12:15
Ukraine tells EU to hand over 'missing' €5B in Russian asset profits
Ukraine is pushing for another €5 billion from the proceeds generated by frozen Russian assets that the EU has decided to withhold from the...
12:00
Eurovision 2024: Semi-final running orders revealed
The running orders of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 semi-finals have been revealed. Armenia’s Ladaniva will perform 8th in the...
11:45
Today marks Holy Wednesday
The week leading up to Easter or Holy Resurrection is called Holy Week (in Armenian Avak Shabat). During this period, the Armenian Apostolic...
11:30
Denialists Erdogan and Netanyahu shamefully exploit the term genocide to bash each other
By Harut Sassounian www.thecaliforniacourier.com For several decades, Israel and Turkey were in a honeymoon, supporting each other...
11:10
SME loan portfolio of Ameriabank reported more than 30% growth in 2023
The small and medium enterprise (SME) loan portfolio of Ameriabank increased by more than 30% in 2023 to reach to AMD 222.6 billion as of...
11:00
Lemkin Institute calls for pressure on Aliyev regime to release Artsakh officials
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention "energetically" condemns the continued and unlawful imprisonment of Armenian officials...
17:00
ALC submits eight cases to UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
The International and Comparative Law Center of Armenia, under the auspices of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, formally...
16:45
Lionel Messi's market value drops by €5m
With the Major League Soccer season in full swing, Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 122 players. In what is an intermediary...
16:34
New report reveals Azeri crimes against Armenian soldiers, civilians
The International and Comparative Law Center NGO (I.C.Law), Center for Law and Justice Tatoyan Foundation, Arbane Foundation and Union for the...
16:02
Political analyst calls for snap elections in Armenia
Political scientist Suren Surenyants insists on public pressure for the conduct of snap elections in Armenia to remove Prime Minister Nikol...
15:31
Vardenyats Pass closed to traffic amid snowstorm
The Rescue Service has warned drivers about road closures in Armenia on Tuesday afternoon. In particular, the roads linking the Amberd high...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}