Azerbaijan has filed a lawsuit against Armenia at The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration, citing violations of the 1979 Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats.
According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the lawsuit outlines “multiple breaches of legal obligations” committed by Armenia under the convention, reports Minval.az .
Baku accuses Armenia of “environmental destruction and is seeking full compensation for the alleged massive destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems”. The lawsuit claims that Armenia’s actions “have negatively impacted hundreds of wildlife species, involved deforestation, poor environmental management, mining activities, and the construction of hydroelectric power plants.”
On January 18, 2023, Azerbaijan formally notified Armenia of the arbitration process. The tribunal's composition was confirmed on September 15, and the first procedural hearing was held at The Hague’s Peace Palace on April 12, 2024.
