Declaration on Proclamation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was proclaimed in the borders of the previous Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and Shahoumian region during the joint session of the Nagorno Karabakh Oblast and Shahoumian regional councils of people’s deputies with the participation of deputies of councils of all levels. The Proclamation of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was adopted in accordance with the legislation of the USSR, as well as with the right of people to self-determination enshrined in international documents.  

Later, using the right of holding the referendum and raising the question of their legal status, enshrined in the Soviet Union’s legislation, the Council of the NKR People’s Deputies decided to hold a referendum on independence. Under the incessant bombardment of Armenian settlements via all types of weapons by the Azerbaijani side on December 10, 1991 referendum was held, in which, 82.2% of registered voters took part. The residents of Getashen sub-district also participated in this referendum, legally securing entry of this area into the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The majority of those, who did not vote, were the inhabitants of Azerbaijani settlements. The ballot papers were printed in three languages ─ Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian. 99, 89% of voters were in favor of NKR independence from Azerbaijan. The results of the referendum, its democracy and transparency have been confirmed by independent international observers.

Below is the full text of Declaration.

DECLARATION

ON PROCLAMATION OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC

Joint session of the Nagorno Karabakh Oblast and Shahoumian regional councils of people’s deputies with the participation of deputies of councils of all levels 

Expressing the will of people, in fact, fixed by a referendum and in the decisions of the NKAO and Shahoumian regional authorities in 1988-1991, its strive for freedom, independence, equality and good neighbourly relations; ascertaining proclamation by the Azerbaijani Republic of the “restoration of 1918-1920 state independence”; 

taking into consideration that the policy of apartheid and discrimination pursued in Azerbaijan created an atmosphere of hatred and intolerance in the Republic towards the Armenian people, which led to armed conflict, human victims, mass deportation of the population from peaceful Armenian villages; 

being guided by the USSR acting Constitution and laws giving the population of autonomous units and compactly living ethnic groups the right to decide independently the issue of their state-legal status in case of a Soviet Republic’s secession from the USSR; 

considering the Armenian people’s strive for unification natural and in line with the norms of international law; 

striving for restoration of good neighbourly relations between Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples, based on mutual respect of each other’s rights; 

taking into consideration the complexity and contradictoriness of the situation in the state, uncertainty of the Union’s future, Union’s structures of authority and governance; 

respecting and following the principles of General Declaration on Human Rights and International Pact on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Pact on Civil, Political and Cultural Rights and with hope for international community’s understanding and support,

PROCLAIMS:

THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE CURRENT NAGORNO KARABAKH AUTONOMOUS OBLAST AND NEIGHBORING SHAHOUMIAN REGION. (Abr. NKR)

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic enjoys the authorities given to Republics by the USSR Constitution and legislation and reserves the right to decide independently the issue of its state-legal status based on political consultations and negotiations with the leadership of Union and Republics. 

The USSR Constitution and legislation, as well as other laws currently in force, which do not contradict the goals and principles of this Declaration and peculiarities of the Republic apply on the territory of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, until the NKR Constitution and laws are adopted. 

Joint Session of the Nagorno Karabakh Oblast
and Shahumian regional councils of people’s deputies
with the participation of deputies of councils of all levels 

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