WCC NEWS: WCC releases minute on consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war

The World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly released a minute entitled “Consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war,” in which it reiterated its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons and cluster munitions, the targeting of civilians, hospitals and public infrastructure, and all other war crimes, beheadings, torture and other atrocities witnessed during the conflict. Armenian Azerbaijani border in Yeraskh. The two flags showing that Armenian and Azeri borders are very close to each other. A World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation visited Armenia from 27 May to June 1 2022. They particularly focused on hearing the stories of people in vulnerable situations amid fragile peace. Many displaced people are in humanitarian need, and churches are providing not only physical assistance but spiritual care as well. Photo: Carla Khijoyan/WCC 08 September 2022 “Almost two years after the end of the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, hundreds of ethnic Armenians are still illegally held by Azerbaijan, in violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War,” reads the minute. It further notes, that while the world’s attention is fixed on the conflict in Ukraine, Azerbaijani forces are reported to have launched new assaults on Indigenous Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as on the sovereign borders of the Republic of Armenia, with further loss of innocent lives and more prisoners taken.  The minute, appeals to the United Nations, European Union and authorities of Azerbaijan for the immediate release of all Armenian civilian hostages and POWs in accordance with international law. The assembly minute also reiterates “concern for holy sites and Armenian cultural heritage in the region, and urges UNESCO and all members of the international community to take all possible and appropriate measures to protect these sites.” The text calls for “the start of meaningful dialogue for a just and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict” in the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group, as well as requests “the WCC and all member churches to remain engaged in Christian solidarity with the churches and people of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in their search for a just and sustainable peace.” Minute on consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland