Nagorno-Karabakh and international law.

What is it about?

The article examines, from a legal perspective, the territorial dispute regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, involving Armenia and Azerbaijan, up until the renewed outbreak of armed conflict in September 2020. In doing so, it explores the background to the conflict and examines the claim to self-determination, and its relationship to state territorial integrity.

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Why is it important?

The September 2020 outbreak of violent conflict regarding Nagorno-Karabakh in the Caucasus demonstrates the necessity of find lasting peaceful solutions to the territorial dispute. Propaganda and misinformation have been plentiful regarding the conflict. There is a need for deeper understandings of the roots of the conflict, and legal issues involved. There is also a need for a balancing of the rights of people with those of the state. The potential for future renewed conflict, despite a rather thin or uncertain 'peace' agreement between the parties, demonstrates the importance of these issues being addressed and for longer-term peace-building activities in the region.