Use of cluster bombs in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Question for written answer E-005485/2020/rev.1
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Jeroen Lenaers (PPE), Annie Schreijer-Pierik (PPE)

On 5 October 2020, Amnesty International reported that there is growing evidence that Azerbaijan is using cluster bombs in the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh[1]. The capital Stepanakert, in particular, was attacked with cluster bombs, resulting in an unknown number of civilian deaths.

The use of cluster bombs violates the ban on indiscriminate attacks and violates international humanitarian law. Although Azerbaijan and Armenia have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, it is generally assumed that this ban on cluster munitions also forms part of customary international law.

• 1.Is the VP/HR aware of the above reports alleging that Azerbaijan used cluster bombs in the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and of the fact that the use of cluster bombs is in breach of international humanitarian law?
• 2.Does the VP/HR consider such violations of international humanitarian law to be unacceptable? If so, what actions will the Commission take to address these breaches and how will the Commission endeavour to bring both parties back to the negotiating table?
• 3.Is the VP/HR willing to use the negotiations on the new Association Agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan as a means of exerting pressure on Azerbaijan and, as a last resort, to end such negotiations if need be?

• [1] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/