UN rights chief warns of possible 'war crimes' in Karabakh conflict

The UN human rights chief has condemned ongoing indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas in and around the disputed South Caucasus region of Nagorno-Karabakh, warning that they may amount to war crimes.

In a statement on Monday, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia to "take all feasible steps to avoid, or at the very least minimize, the loss of civilian life and damage to civilian infrastructure.”

"Instead, homes have been destroyed, streets reduced to rubble, and people forced to flee or seek safety in basements," she said.

“International humanitarian law cannot be clearer. Attacks carried out in violation of the principle of distinction or the principle of proportionality may amount to war crimes, and the parties to the conflict are obliged to effectively, promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigate such violations and to prosecute those alleged to have committed them."

The UN rights chief further voiced concern over the use of cluster munitions by Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, urging an immediate halt to the use of banned weapons by both sides.

“Amid deeply troubling reports that cluster munitions have been used by both parties, I call once again on Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop using them, and to join the more than 100 States that have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions which comprehensively bans their use,” she said.

She also expressed serious concern about "compelling" and "deeply disturbing" videos that have surfaced which appear to show war crimes being committed.

MG