Tale Aliyev: UN was unable to prevent aggression against Azerbaijan

The international community should remain steadfast in opposing impunity, standing with victims, survivors and their families, supporting national accountability efforts, and countering disinformation campaigns seeking the release of those responsible for the most serious crimes, stated Tale Aliyev, First Secretary of Azerbaijanchr("39")s Permanent Mission to the UN, Olaylar informs.

Aliyev made the remark at the Security Council Arria-formula Meeting on "Upholding International Law in Situations of Armed Conflict", held on September 16, 2026.

"At the outset, we would like to thank the Permanent Mission of Pakistan for convening this important discussion.

Armed conflicts continue to be characterized by serious violations of international law and high levels of civilian death, injury and deliberate or indiscriminate targeting of civilian objects and essential civilian infrastructure, including in situations of occupation.

Azerbaijanchr("39")s experience underscores the limitations of the international system, as the United Nations and other international organizations were unable to prevent the aggression and serious violations of international law committed against our country, or to bring an end to the nearly three decades-long occupation of our territories.

What is needed, first and foremost, is the political will to uphold international law and ensure accountability.

Certain conduct in armed conflicts constitutes serious crimes under international law and is prohibited by peremptory norms (jus cogens), while also involving serious violations of obligations owed to the international community as a whole (erga omnes).

All States have obligations under international law to investigate such offences, prosecute those responsible, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

These obligations arise from a range of legally binding instruments, as well as customary international law. Accordingly, blanket amnesties, de facto impunity, or other forms of immunity and early release for persons responsible for the most serious international crimes are incompatible with Stateschr("39") obligations under international law," he said.