March 14, 1991

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RESOLUTION
on the blockade of Armenia and the human rights situation there

The European Parliament,

A. whereas the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh have been calling on the central authorities of the USSR for a just solution to the question of their region since February 1988,

B. whereas, as a consequence of the decision by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on 28 Nov› ember 1989, the state of emergency imposed by the military governor of this region has entailed the removal of all the legitimate authorities and continual violations of human rights, such as arbitrary arrests, censorship and deportations,

C. whereas the referendum of 17 March 1991 -- which Armenia has decided to boycott -- will not provide a solution to the Karabakh problem, which calls for a special referendum of a different kind enabling the national groups in this region to exercise their right to self determination;

D. whereas the blockade afflicting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, which is sometimes sus› pended only to be subsequently reimposed more severely, is raising the tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia to breaking point,

E. whereas the 300 000 Armenians who have fled from Azerbaijan (Baku and Sumgait massacres) to Armenia are in a state of complete destitution and require urgent aid,

F. whereas the shortage of energy, and in particular gas, currently affecting Armenia as a result of the blockade has given rise to serious problems in that republic, including the closure of factories, unemployment and paralysis of the transport system,

G. whereas as a result of the earthquake and the massacres of Armenians in Azerbaijan more than 500 000 people are now faced with extreme hardship, unable to obtain heating at a time when the temperatures in the region could be falling to 25° below zero,

1. Calls on President Gorbachev to take urgent and effective steps to bring an end once and for all to the intermittent blockades affecting Armenia and Karabakh and to the threats to the security of the national groups in Karabakh and the neighbouring Armenian enclaves who are seemingly being deliberately forced out;

2. Calls on President Gorbachev to restore to office the legitimate and constitutional political authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh;

3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of the Soviet Union.