Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
1000530
225247765
2008-07-12T18:01:06Z
Davewho2
1738583
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/144.122.127.112|144.122.127.112]] to last version by Discospinster (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = {{lang|hy|Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն}}<br/>''{{lang|hy-Latn|Lernayin Gharabaghi Hanrapetut’yun}}''
|conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Nagorno-Karabakh Republic</span>
|common_name = Nagorno-Karabakh
|image_flag = Flag of Nagorno-Karabakh.svg
|image_coat = Nagorno-Karabakh Coat of Arms.png
|image_map = Location Nagorno-Karabakh en.png
|national_anthem = "''[[Azat u ankakh Artsakh]]''"<small><br/>"''Free and Independent Artsakh''"
|official_languages = [[Armenian language|Armenian]]<sup>1</sup>
|main_religion = [[Armenian Apostolic]] [[Orthodox Christianity]]
|capital = [[Stepanakert]]
|latd=39 |latm=52 |latNS=N |longd=46 |longm=43 |longEW=E
|largest_city =
|government_type = [[List of unrecognized countries|Unrecognized]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Nagorno-Karabakh|President]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name1 = [[Bako Sahakyan]]
|leader_name2 = [[Arayik Harutyunyan]]
|area_rank =
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_km2 = 11458.38<sup>2</sup>
|area_sq_mi = 4424.10<sup>2</sup> <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water =
|population_estimate = 138,000
|population_estimate_rank = n/a
|population_estimate_year = March 2007
|population_census =
|population_census_year =
|population_density_km2 =
|population_density_sq_mi = <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = n/a
|GDP_PPP =
|GDP_PPP_rank =
|GDP_PPP_year =
|GDP_PPP_per_capita =
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
|sovereignty_type = Independence
|sovereignty_note = from [[Azerbaijan]]
|established_event1 = [[Referendum]]
|established_event2 = Proclaimed
|established_event3 = Recognition
|established_date1 = [[December 10]] [[1991]]
|established_date2 = [[January 6]] [[1992]]
|established_date3 = none
|HDI =
|HDI_rank =
|HDI_year =
|HDI_category =
|currency = [[Dram (currency)|Armenian dram]]
|currency_code = AMD
|country_code =
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +4
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST = +5
|cctld =
|calling_code = 374 47
|footnote1 = The constitution guarantees "the free use of other languages spread among the population."
|footnote2 = Virtual administrative territory of the NKR
}}
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[[Image:Stepanakert_flags.jpg|thumb|300px|The Government building in [[Stepanakert]].]]
The '''Nagorno-Karabakh Republic''' ('''NKR''') <ref name="Constitution" /> ({{lang-hy|Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ Հանրապետություն}} ''{{lang|hy-Latn|Lernayin Gharabaghi Hanrapetut’yun}}'') or '''Artsakh Republic'''<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web|url=http://www.nkr.am/eng/Constitution.htm|title=Constitution of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Chapter 1, article 1.2}}</ref> is a ''[[de facto]]'' [[independence|independent]] [[republic]] located in the [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] region of the [[South Caucasus]], about 270 kilometers (170 miles) west of the Azerbaijani capital of [[Baku]] and very close to the border with [[Armenia]].
The predominantly [[Armenian people|Armenian]]-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh became disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan when both countries gained independence from the [[Russian Empire]] in 1918. After the [[Soviet Union]] established control over the area, in 1923 it formed the [[Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]] (NKAO) within the [[Azerbaijan SSR]]. In the final years of the Soviet Union, the region re-emerged as a source of dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, culminating in the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] fought from [[1988]] to [[1994]].
On [[December 10]] [[1991]], as the [[collapse of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union was collapsing]], a referendum held in the NKAO and the neighboring [[Shahumian]] region resulted in a [[declaration of independence]] from Azerbaijan as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The country remains [[List of unrecognized countries|unrecognized]] by any [[international organization]] or [[country]], including Armenia.
Since the ceasefire in 1994, most of Nagorno-Karabakh and several regions of Azerbaijan around it remain under the joint [[Military of Armenia|Armenian]] and [[Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army|Nagorno-Karabakh military]] control. Representatives of the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan have since been holding peace talks mediated by the [[OSCE Minsk Group]].
==History==
{{main|History of Nagorno-Karabakh}}
==Politics==
{{main|Politics of Nagorno-Karabakh}}
Nagorno-Karabakh is a [[Presidential system|presidential democracy]]. The [[executive power]] rests mainly at the President. The President is chosen directly for a period of five years, he can serve maximum two periods. He appoints and dismisses the prime minisiter. The prime minister is the Chairman of the Government, existing from - beside the prime minister - the vice-premier, 11 ministers and the Commissioners of the [[National Security]], the [[Police|Police Force]] and the Tax and Customs Administration. The [[legislature]] rests at the 33 seats counting, directly elected [[National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh|Parliament]]. The members of the Parliament are elected for a period of five years. Nagorno-Karabakh has furthermore a [[Judiciary]].
===Recent developments===
* On [[June 19th]], [[2005]] parliamentary elections were held in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to international observers the elections were conducted freely and transparently<ref>[http://pilpg.org/reports/Karabakh-07-Elections.pdf Report of the Independent American Monitoring Delegation to the July 19, 2007 Presidential Election in Nagorno-Karabakh.]</ref>.
* On [[December 20th]], [[2006]] a referendum was held among the citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh, which voted in favour of a new [[constitution]] [http://www.nkr.am/eng/Constitution.htm ] (see further)
* The presidental elections of [[July 17th]], [[2007]] were won by [[Bako Sahakyan]]. These elections were by international observers approved to be free and fair elections<ref>[http://www.pilpg.org/reports/Karabakh-07-Elections.pdf Report of the Independent American Monitoring Delegation to the July 19, 2007 Presidential Election in Nagorno-Karabakh]</ref>.
==Current situation==
[[Image:Karabach-Kaart.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Map of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.]]
Today, Nagorno-Karabakh is a ''de facto'' independent state, calling itself the ''Nagorno-Karabakh Republic''. It is closely tied to the Republic of Armenia and uses the same currency, the [[Dram (currency)|dram]]. According to [[Human Rights Watch]], "from the beginning of the Karabakh conflict, Armenia provided aid, weapons, and volunteers. Armenian involvement in Karabakh escalated after a December 1993 Azerbaijani offensive. The Republic of Armenia began sending conscripts and regular Army and Interior Ministry troops to fight in Karabakh."<ref>[http://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/WR95/HELSINKI-01.htm Human Rights Watch World Report 1995]</ref> The politics of Armenia and the de-facto Karabakh republic are so intermingled that a former president of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, [[Robert Kocharyan]], became first the prime minister ([[1997]]) and then the president of Armenia ([[1998]] to [[2008]]).
Still, successive Armenian governments have resisted internal pressure to unite the two, due to ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the [[OSCE Minsk Group]]. In his case study of Eurasia, Dov Lynch of the Institute for Security Studies of WEU believes that "Karabakh's independence allows the new Armenian state to avoid the international stigma of aggression, despite the fact that Armenian troops fought in the war between 1991-94 and continue to man the Line of Contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijan." Lynch also cites that the "strength of the Armenian armed forces, and Armenia's strategic alliance with Russia, are seen as key shields protecting the Karabakh state by the authorities in Stepanakert."<ref>[http://iss.europa.eu/occasion/occ32e.html Institute for Security Studies of WEU. Dov Lynch. Managing separatist states: A Eurasian case study.]</ref>
At present, the mediation process is at a standstill, with the most recent discussions in [[Rambouillet]], France, yielding no agreement. Azerbaijan's position has been that Armenian troops withdraw from all areas of Azerbaijan outside Nagorno-Karabakh, and that all displaced persons be allowed to return to their homes before the status of Karabakh can be discussed.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Armenia does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as being legally part of Azerbaijan, arguing that because the region declared independence at the same time that Azerbaijan became an independent state, both of them are equally [[successor state]]s of the Soviet Union.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The Armenian government insists that the government of Nagorno-Karabakh be part of any discussions on the region's future, and rejects ceding occupied territory or allowing refugees to return before talks on the region's status.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
[[Image:ArtsakhBank in Stepankert.jpg|thumb|left|The central office of Artsakh Bank was opened in 2004 in Stepanakert.]]
Representatives of [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[France]], [[Russia]] and the [[United States]] met in [[Paris]] and in [[Key West]], [[Florida]], in the Spring of 2001.<ref name="state2001">[http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/2001/2098.htm U.S. Department of State - Armenia and Azerbaijan: Key West Peace Talks]</ref> The details of the talks have remained largely secret, but the parties are reported to have discussed non-hierarchical relationships between the central Azerbaijani government and the Karabakh Armenian authorities.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Despite rumours that the parties were close to a solution, the Azerbaijani authorities — both during [[Heydar Aliyev]]'s period of office, and after the accession of his son [[Ilham Aliyev]] in the October 2003 elections — have firmly denied that any agreement was reached in Paris or Key West.
Further talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan, were held in September 2004 in Astana, [[Kazakhstan]], on the sidelines of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) summit. Reportedly, one of the suggestions put forward was the withdrawal of the occupying forces from the Azeri territories adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh, and holding [[referendum]]s (plebiscites) in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan proper regarding the future status of the region. On [[February 10]] and 11, 2006, Kocharyan and Aliyev met in [[Rambouillet]], [[France]], to discuss the fundamental principles of a settlement to the conflict, including the withdrawal of troops, formation of international peace keeping troops, and the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} During the weeks and days before the talks in France, [[OSCE Minsk Group]] co-chairmen expressed cautious optimism that some form of an agreement was possible.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} French President [[Jacques Chirac]] met with both leaders separately and expressed hope that the talks would be fruitful.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Contrary to the initial optimism, the Rambouillet talks did not produce any agreement, with key issues such as the status of Nagorno-Karabakh and whether Armenian troops would withdraw from [[Kalbajar]] still being contentious.<ref>Karl Rahder, "Nagorno-Karabakh summit ends in failure," ISN Security Watch, 27 Feb, 2006, http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=14904 </ref>
The latest talks were held at the Polish embassy in [[Bucharest]].<ref>[http://news.ft.com/cms/s/5da3077e-f4f8-11da-86f6-0000779e2340.html 'Marathon' talks on Nagorno-Karabakh]</ref> Again, American, Russian, and French diplomats attended the talks that lasted over 40 minutes.<ref>[http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=18315 Kocharyan-Aliyev Meeting Over in Bucharest]</ref> Earlier, Armenian President Kocharyan announced that he was ready to "continue dialogue with Azerbaijan for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and with Turkey on establishing relations without any preconditions."<ref>[http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=18307 Yerevan Ready to Continue Dialogue with Baku for Karabakh Settlement]</ref>
Unfortunately, according to Armenian foreign minister, [[Vardan Oskanyan]], no progress was made at this latest meeting. Both presidents failed to reach a consensus on the issues from the earlier Rambouillet conference. He noted that the Kocharyan-Aliyev meeting was held in a normal atmosphere. "Nevertheless," he added, "the foreign ministers of the two countries are commissioned to continue talks over settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and try to find common points before the next meeting of the presidents."<ref>[http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=18318&page=1 No Progress at Kocharyan-Aliyev Meeting in Bucharest]</ref>
The major disagreement between both sides at the Bucharest conference was the status of Karabakh. Azerbaijan's position was a promise to give Karabakh the "highest status of autonomy adopted in the world."<ref>[http://www.regnum.ru/english/polit/661396.html Nagorno-Karabakh FM: Granting Autonomy To Nagorno-Karabakh Is Out Of Baku Competence]</ref> Armenia favored a popular vote by the inhabitants of Karabakh to decide their future, a position that was also taken by the international mediators.<ref>[http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2006/06/2ED65C9D-891F-4121-AB6D-0694253B835D.asp U.S. Confirms Vote Option For Karabakh]</ref> The response to the Armenian position from Baku was that of a threat to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} On [[June 27]], the Armenian foreign minister said both parties agreed to allow the residents of Karabakh to vote regarding the future status of the region.<ref>[http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2006/06/00DB055C-7469-4805-A919-3395C5858110.ASP Armenian, Azeri Leaders ‘Agreed To Karabakh Referendum’]</ref> The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially refuted that statement.<ref>[http://www.today.az/news/politics/27642.html Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry about latest statement of Armenia on Nagorno Karabakh]</ref> According to Azeri opposition leader [[Isa Gambar]], however, Azerbaijan did indeed agree to the referendum. Still, nothing official has confirmed this yet.<ref>[http://www.today.az/news/politics/27666.html Isa Gambar: "Baku Gave OK On Referendum In Nagorno-Karabakh"]</ref>
The ongoing "Prague Process" overseen by the OSCE Minsk Group was brought into sharp relief in the summer of 2006 with a series of rare public revelations seemingly designed to jump-start the stalled negotiations. After the release in June of a paper outlining its position, which had until then been carefully guarded, U.S. State Department official [[Matthew Bryza]] told Radio Free Europe that the Minsk Group favored a referendum in Karabakh that would determine its final status. The referendum, in the view of the OSCE, should take place not in Azerbaijan as a whole, but in Nagorno-Karabakh only. This was a blow to Azerbaijan, and despite talk that their government might eventually seek a more sympathetic forum for future negotiations, this has not yet happened.<ref>Karl Rahder, "OSCE bombshell reveals Karabakh position," ISN Security Watch, 7 August, 2006, http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=16482</ref>
On [[December 10th]], [[2007]] Azerbaijan's deputy foreign minister said Azerbaijan would be prepared to hold anti-terror operations in Nagorno-Karabakh against alleged bases of the [[Kurdistan Worker's Party]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.trendaz.com/index.shtml?show=news&newsid=1091985&lang=EN|title=Azerbaijan Prepared to Hold Anti-Terror Operations in Nagorno-Karabakh against Placement of Kurdish Gunmen|publisher=Trend News Agency|date=[[2007-12-10]]|access date=[[2007-12-11]]}}</ref> Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vladimir Karapetian previously rejected the allegations as "fabricated" and suggested the accusations of the PKK presence were a form of provocation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.regnum.ru/english/polit/927865.html|title=Vladimir Karapetyan: Allegations of PKK bases in Armenia and NK groundless provocation|publisher=Regnum|date=[[2007-12-05]]|access date=[[2007-12-11]]}}</ref>
In 2008, Azerbaijani president [[Ilham Aliyev]] declared that ''“Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent; the position is backed by international mediators as well; Armenia has to accept the reality”'' and that ''“in [[1918]], [[Yerevan]] was granted to the [[Armenians]]. It was a great mistake. The [[Erivan khanate|khanate of Iravan]] was the [[Azeris|Azeri]] territory, the Armenians were guests here”''.<ref>[http://www.regnum.ru/english/943595.html Azerbaijani president: Armenians are guests in Yerevan], ''[[REGNUM News Agency]]'', January 17, 2008</ref>
===International status===
[[Image:We Are Our Mountains.jpg|thumb|right|Large monument from [[tufa]] of an old Armenian man and woman hewn from rock, representing the mountain people of Karabakh.]]
The sovereign status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is not recognized by any state, including Armenia. Three [[United Nations Security Council]] Resolutions ([[United Nations Security Council Resolution 853|853]], [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 874|874]], and [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 884|884]]) and [[United Nations General Assembly resolution]]s 49/13 and 57/298 refer to Nagorno-Karabakh as a region of Azerbaijan. None of these resolutions were passed under [[s:Charter of the United Nations#Chapter VII - Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace.2C Breaches of the Peace and Acts of Aggression|Chapter VII]] (Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression) of the Charter. Certain politicians and legal scholars have expressed the view that resolutions are only legally binding if they are made under Chapter VII of the Charter. <ref>"Additionally it may be noted that the Security Council cannot adopt binding decisions under Chapter VI of the Charter" (De Hoogh, Andre. ''Obligations Erga Omnes and International Crimes'', Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Jan 1, 1996, p. 371).</ref><ref>"Council recommendations under Chapter VI are generally accepted as not being legally binding". (Magliveras, Konstantinos D. ''Exclusion from Participation in International Organisations'', Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Jan 1, 1999, p. 113).</ref><ref>"Within the framework of Chapter VI the SC has at its disposal an 'escalation ladder' composed of several 'rungs' of wielding influence on the conflicting parties in order to move them toward a pacific solution... however, the pressure exerted by the Council in the context of this Chapter is restricted to non-binding recommendations". (Neuhold, Hanspeter. "The United Nations System for the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes", in Cede, Franz & Sucharipa-Behrmann, Lilly. ''The United Nations'', Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Jan 1, 2001, p. 66).</ref><ref>"The responsibility of the Council with regard to international peace and security is specified in Chapters VI and VII. Chapter VI, entitled 'Pacific Settlements of Disputes', provides for action by the Council in case of international disputes or situations which do not (yet) post a threat to international peace and security. Herein its powers generally confined to making recommendations, the Council can generally not issue binding decisions under Chapter VI". (Schweigman, David. ''The Authority of the Security Council Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter'', Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Jan 1, 2001, p. 33).</ref><ref>"Under Chapter VI, the Security Council may only make recommendations but not binding decisions on United Nations members". (Wallace-Bruce, Nii Lante. ''The Settlement of International Disputes'', Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Jan 1, 1998, pp. 47-4 ).</ref><ref>"The UN distinguishes between two sorts of Security Council resolution. Those passed under Chapter Six deal with the peaceful resolution of disputes and entitle the council to make non-binding recommendations. Those under Chapter Seven give the council broad powers to take action, including warlike action, to deal with “threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, or acts of aggression”. Such resolutions, binding on all UN members, were rare during the cold war. But they were used against Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait. None of the resolutions relating to the Israeli-Arab conflict comes under Chapter Seven." [http://www.economist.com/world/na/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1378577 Iraq, Israel and the United Nations: Double standards?], ''[[The Economist]]'', October 10, 2002.</ref><ref>"There are two sorts of security council resolution: those under 'chapter 6' are non-binding recommendations dealing with the peaceful resolution of disputes; those under 'chapter 7' give the council broad powers, including war, to deal with 'threats to the peace ... or acts of aggression'." Emmott, Bill. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,846814,00.html If Saddam steps out of line we must go straight to war], ''[[The Guardian]]'', November 25, 2002.</ref><ref>"...there is a difference between the Security Council resolutions that Israel breaches (nonbinding recommendations under Chapter 6) and those Iraq broke (enforcement actions under Chapter 7)." Kristof, Nicholas D. [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/25/opinion/25KRIS.html?ex=1145851200&en=c092323da838cd9b&ei=5070 Calling the Kettle Black], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 25, 2004.</ref><ref>"There is a hierarchy of resolutions... Chapter 6, under which all resolutions relating to the middle east have been issued, relates to the pacific resolution of disputes. Above that, there are the mandatory chapter 7 resolutions, which impose the clearest possible obligations, usually on a single state rather than on two or three states, which is what chapter 6 is there for. Chapter 7 imposes mandatory obligations on states that are completely out of line with international law and policy, and the United Nations has decided in its charter that the failure to meet those obligations may be met by the use of force." [[Jack Straw (politician)|Straw, Jack]]. [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020924/debtext/20924-09.htm#20924-09_spnew8 [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] debates], [[Hansard]], Column 32, September 24, 2002.</ref><ref>"There is another characteristic of these resolutions which deserves a mention, and that is that they are under chapter 7 of the United Nations charter. Chapter 7 has as its heading 'Action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, and acts of aggression'. This is the very serious chapter of United Nations rules, regulations, laws and principles, which the United Nations activates when they intend to do something about it. If the United Nations announces under chapter 7 that it intends to do something about a matter and it is not done, that will undermine the authority of the United Nations; that will render it ineffective.
There are many other resolutions under other chapters. Resolution 242 gets a bit of a Guernsey here every now and then. Resolution 242 is under chapter 6, not chapter 7. It does not carry the same mandate and authority that chapter 7 carries. Chapter 6 is the United Nations trying to put up resolutions which might help the process of peace and it states matters of principle that are important for the world to take into consideration. Resolution 242 says that Israel should withdraw from territories that it has occupied. It also says that Israel should withdraw to secure and recognised boundaries and that the one is dependent upon the other. Resolution 242 says that, but it is not a chapter 7 resolution." [[Kim Beazley|Beazley, Kim]], [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/05/1044318661193.html Waiting for blow-back (speech delivered in Parliament on February 4, 2003], ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', February 5, 2003.</ref><ref>"There are several types of resolutions: Chapter 6 resolutions are decisions pursing the Pacific Settlement of Disputes, and put forward Council proposals on negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies, and other peaceful means. Chapter 7 resolutions are decisions for Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, involving use of force and sanctions, complete or partial interruption of economic relations, rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic radio and other means of communication and the severance of diplomatic relations. Resolutions passed under Chapter 7 of the Charter are binding on all UN members, who are required to give every assistance to any action taken by the Council, and refrain from giving any assistance to the country against which it is taking enforcement action." [http://www.comeclean.org.uk/content/Greenpeace_010306.doc Iran dossier crosses the Atlantic: Where to from here?] ([[Microsoft Word]] document), [[Greenpeace]] position paper on Iran.</ref> According to a report prepared by British parliamentarian and rapporteur [[David Atkinson]], presented to Political Affairs Committee of the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] (PACE), "the borders of Azerbaijan were internationally recognised at the time of the country being recognised as independent state in 1991," and "the territory of Azerbaijan included the Nagorno-Karabakh region."<ref name=10264-1>Mr [[David Atkinson]], United Kingdom, European Democrat Group, (Rapporteur) [http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/doc04/EDOC10364.htm The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference], [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]], [[29 November]] 2004</ref>
The latest resolution, #1416, adopted by PACE, stated that "Considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian forces, and separatist forces are still in control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region." The resolution further stated: "The Assembly reiterates that the occupation of foreign territory by a member state constitutes a grave violation of that state’s obligations as a member of the Council of Europe and reaffirms the right of displaced persons from the area of conflict to return to their homes safely and with dignity." Recalling the Resolutions [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 822|822]], 853, 874, and 884 (all 1993) of the UN Security Council, PACE urged "the parties concerned to comply with them, in particular by refraining from any armed hostilities and by withdrawing military forces from any occupied territories." The resolution also called on "the Government of Azerbaijan to establish contact, without preconditions, with the political representatives of both communities from the Nagorno-Karabakh region regarding the future status of the region." <ref>[http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/AdoptedText/TA05/ERES1416.htm Resolution 1416: The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference] adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, [[25 January]] 2005</ref>
The [[Council of Europe]] called on the Nagorno-Karabakh de facto authorities to refrain from staging one-sided "local self-government elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh. "These so-called 'elections' cannot be legitimate," stressed Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' Chairman and [[Liechtenstein]] Foreign Minister [[Ernst Walch]], Parliamentary Assembly President [[Lord Russell-Johnston]] and Secretary General [[Walter Schwimmer]]. They recalled that following the 1991–1994 armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a substantial part of the region's population was forced to flee their homes and are still living as [[displaced person]]s in those countries or as refugees abroad.<ref>[http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/Press/StopPressView.asp?ID=1247 Council of Europe urges Nagorno-Karabakh to refrain from "elections"], [[Council of Europe]], [[24 August]], 2001 </ref> This position was reiterated by Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe on [[4 August]] [[2004]] with regard to the next elections, staged in the province, <ref>[http://www.coe.int/NewsSearch/Default.asp?p=nwz&id=4821&lmLangue=1 Council of Europe Secretary General on "local self-government elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh], on Concil of Europe website, dated [[8 August]] 2004</ref> and by the Chair of the [[Council of Europe]]’s [[Committee of Ministers]] on 12 July 2007 with regard to the presidential elections organised in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>[https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1164313 Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers: Declaration on the "presidential elections" to be held in Nagorno Karabakh on 19 July 2007]</ref>
The [[European Union]] declared that "The European Union confirms its support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and recalls that it does not recognise the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. The European Union cannot consider legitimate the 'presidential elections' that were scheduled to take place on 11 August 2002 in Nagorno Karabakh".<ref>[http://europa.eu/bulletin/en/200207/p106005.htm Bulletin EU 7/8-2002: Common foreign and security policy (5/39)], European Commission on [[27 March]] 2003</ref> The European Union reiterated this position with regard to the presidential elections, held in the region in 2007.<ref>[http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN/Noticias_Documentos/Declaracoes_PESC/20070719PESCNAG.htm Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on "presidential elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 July 2007]</ref>
The [[US Department of State]]'s annual [[Country Reports on Human Rights Practices]] - 2006, released on March 6, 2007 stated that "Armenia continues to occupy the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. During the year incidents along the militarized line of contact separating the sides again resulted in numerous casualties on both sides".<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78799.htm Armenia: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006] Released by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor [[6 March]], 2007</ref>
According to an analysis by [[New England School of Law]]'s Center for International Law & Policy, "Nagorno Karabagh has a right of self-determination, including the attendant right to independence, according to the criteria recognized under international law." As the analysis elaborates, "the principle of self-determination is included in Articles 1, 55, and 73 of the United Nations Charter," and it has been "codified in the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]], and the [[International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights]]--which are considered to constitute the international 'Bill of Rights.'" Furthermore, "the right to self-determination has also been repeatedly recognized in a series of resolutions adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, the most important of which is Resolution 2625(XXV) of 1970." As the analysis continues, "the Azerbaijanis argue that political independence for Nagorno Karabagh violates the right of Azerbaijan to territorial integrity. But the claim to territorial integrity can be negated where a state does not conduct itself 'in compliance with the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples' and does not allow a subject people 'to pursue their economic, social and cultural development' as required by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2625(XXV). Moreover, it should be noted that when Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union, it claimed to be the successor state to the Azerbaijani Republic of 1918-1920. The League of Nations, however, did not recognize Azerbaijan's inclusion of Nagorno Karabagh within Azerbaijan's claimed territory." The analysis further states that Nagorno Karabakh's secession was in compliance with the existing Soviet law. Following Soviet Azerbaijan's declaration of independence on August 30, 1991, "Nagorno Karabagh initiated the same process through the joint adoption of the 'Declaration of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh' by the local legislative councils of Nagorno Karabagh and the bordering Armenian-populated Shahumian district. The only difference was that, for Karabagh, independence was declared not from the Soviet Union but from Azerbaijan. This act fully complied with existing law. Indeed, the 1990 Soviet law titled 'Law of the USSR Concerning the Procedure of Secession of a Soviet Republic from the USSR,' provides that the secession of a Soviet republic from the body of the USSR allows an autonomous region and compactly settled minority regions in the same republic's territory also to trigger its own process of independence." This act, as the analysis continues, was not annulled by the "USSR Constitutional Oversight Committee," as the "declaration was deemed in compliance with the then existing law." Furthermore, "on December 10, 1991, the Nagorno Karabagh Republic held its own referendum on independence in the presence of international observers. The vote overwhelmingly approved Karabagh's sovereignty. This action of Nagorno Karabagh, which at that time was part of a still existent and internationally recognized Soviet Union, corresponded fully with the relevant Soviet law pertaining to leaving the USSR." Finally, on January 6, 1992, the "parliament of Karabagh adopted its Declaration of Independence on the basis of the referendum results."<ref>[http://www.nesl.edu/center/pubs/nagorno.pdf The Nagorno-Karabagh Crisis: A Blueprint for Resolution] New England Center for International Law & Policy</ref>
A background paper prepared by the [[Directorate General of Political Affairs]] of the Council of Europe for the seminar "Youth and Conflict Resolution" (Strasbourg, 31 March - 2 April 2003), on the other hand, states, "The Armenian side maintains that the N-K independence referendum was conducted in accordance with the USSR law on the 'Procedure for Solving Issues of Secession of a Soviet Republic from the USSR' of [[3 April]] [[1990]]. Article 3 of this law provided autonomous regions within the Soviet republics with the right to determine independently, by referendum, whether they wished to remain within the USSR or join the republic seceding from the USSR. It would however seem that according to this law N-K would have the choice of two options – to remain within the USSR or to join independent Azerbaijan; N-K independence does not seem possible".<ref name=10264-2>Mr [[David Atkinson]], United Kingdom, European Democrat Group, (Rapporteur) [http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/doc04/EDOC10364.htm The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference], [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]], [[29 November]] 2004. See the section: AS/POL (2004) 24 Appendix IV 8 September 2004: subsection "The legal side of the dispute"</ref>
According to the article in "The Journal of Conflict Resolution", the Armenian side "justified its claim by Article 70 of the Soviet Constitution, which affirms the right to self-determination of the peoples of the USSR. In fact, this recognition of the principle of self-determination is only part of a general declaratory statement about the nature of the Soviet federation: “The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is an integral, federal, multi-national state formed on the principle of socialist federalism as a result of the free self-determination of nations and the voluntary association of equal Soviet Socialist Republics. The USSR embodies the state unity of the Soviet people and draws all its nations and nationalities together for the purpose of jointly building communism.” There is no mechanism, other than the right of the union republics to secede (Article 72 of the constitution), through which to express the right of self-determination".<ref>Niall M. Fraser; Keith W. Hipel; John Jaworsky; Ralph Zuljan. A Conflict Analysis of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Dispute. The Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 34, No. 4. (Dec., 1990), pp. 652-677.</ref>
The actual declaration of establishment of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, issued on September 2, 1991, states that the republic is proclaimed pursuant to the USSR law of secession, and that it "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 Declaration further states that "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."<ref>http://www.nkr.am/eng/deklaraciya209.html, Declaration on Proclamation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic</ref>
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan states that "according to this Law, in a Union republic containing autonomous republics, autonomous provinces and autonomous regions, the referendum had to be held separately in each autonomous unit, the people of which retained the right to decide independently the question of staying in the USSR or in the seceding Union republic, as well as to raise the question of their own state-legal status. It is important to emphasize that the secession of a Union republic from the USSR could be regarded valid only after the fulfillment of complicated and multi-staged procedure and, finally, the adoption of the relevant decision by the Congress of the USSR People's Deputies. However, until the Soviet Union ceased to exist as international person the mentioned Law was without legal effect, since no Union republic, including Azerbaijan and Armenia, had used the procedure for secession stipulated in it".<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/armenian_aggresion/legal/index.shtml Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic. Legal aspects of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict]</ref>
The [[OSCE Minsk Group]] has allowed the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (referring to it as the "leadership of Nagorny Karabakh"), as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, to participate in the peace process as "parties to the conflict," and the Azerbaijani community of the region--as an "interested party". The Chairman of the CSCE Minsk Conference mentioned that "the terms 'party to the conflict' and 'leadership of Nagorny Karabakh' do not imply recognition of any diplomatic or political status under domestic or international law".<ref>[http://www.un.int/azerbaijan/documents/minsk/S26522.pdf Letter Dated 1 October 1993 from the permanent representative to the Untied Nations addressed to the president of the Security Council](PDF) </ref><ref>[http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/AdoptedText/ta94/erec1251.htm Recommendation 1251 (1994)1 on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh] by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe</ref> The Azerbaijani community is led by [[Nizami Bakhmanov]], the head of the executive power of Shusha region.
At a recent press conference in [[Yerevan]],[[Yuri Merzlyakov]], the OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-Chair stated, "At the press conference in Baku I underlined that Nagorno Karabakh was a part of Azerbaijani SSR and not of Azerbaijan. I perfectly know that till 1917 Nagorno Karabakh was a part of the Russian Empire. The history is necessary in order to settle conflicts, but it is necessary to proceed from international law".<ref>[http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22585 Yuri Merzlyakov: I have stated in Baku that Karabakh was part of Azeri SSR and not of Azerbaijan]</ref> Meanwhile, on June 10 2007 after US-Azerbaijani security consultations in [[Washington D.C.]] with Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister [[Araz Azimov]], Deputy Assistant Secretary of US Department of State, US Co-Chairman of OSCE Minsk group [[Matthew Bryza]] in a joint press conference announced: "In the circles of international law there is no universal formula for the supremacy of territorial integrity over the right of self-determination of people.".<ref>[http://www.armtown.com/news/en/azg/20070712/2007071202/ Matthew Bryza: In the circles of international law there is no universal formula for the supremacy of territorial integrity over the right of self-determination of people.]</ref>
Also in 2006, [[Russia]] published its 63-volume [[Great Russian Encyclopedia|Great Encyclopedia]] which described Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent entity that belonged to Armenians historically, in its introduction to the region.<ref>[http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=25815 APA<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Azerbaijan has protested this passage in the Russian encyclopedia. It handed a protest letter to the Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan demanding that the encyclopedia be confiscated and amended.<ref>[http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=25815 APA<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
On [[14 March]] [[2008]], the United Nations General Assembly passed a [[non-binding resolution]] by a vote of 39 to 7, with 100 abstentions, reaffirming Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, expressing support for that country's internationally recognized borders and demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Armenian forces from all occupied territories there. The resolution was supported mainly by members of the [[OIC]] and [[GUAM]], both of which Azerbaijan is a member, as well as other nations facing breakaway regions. The resolution was opposed by all three members of the OSCE Minsk Group.<ref>[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/ga10693.doc.htm UNO Department of Public Information. General Assembly adopts resolution reaffirming territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, demanding withdrawal of all Armenian forces]</ref>
===Human rights===
[[Image:Refugeesaz.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Internally displaced Azerbaijanis from Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent regions.]]
The Nagorno Karabakh conflict has resulted in the displacement of 528,000 (this figure does not include new born children of these IDPs) Azerbaijanis from Armenian occupied territories including Nagorno Karabakh, and 220,000 Azeris, 18,000 Kurds and 3,500 Russians fled from Armenia to Azerbaijan from 1988 to 1989. The Azerbaijani government has estimated that 63 percent of [[internally displaced person]]s (IDPs) lived below the poverty line as compared to 49% of the total population. About 154,000 lived in the capital, Baku. According to the International Organization for Migration, 40,000 IDPs lived in camps, 60,000 in underground dugout shelters, and 20,000 in railway cars. Forty-thousand IDPs lived in EU-funded settlements and UNHCR provided housing for another 40,000. Another 5,000 IDPs lived in abandoned or rapidly deteriorating schools. Others lived in trains, on roadsides in half-constructed buildings, or in public buildings such as tourist and health facilities. Tens of thousands lived in seven tent camps where poor water supply and sanitation caused gastro-intestinal infections, tuberculosis, and malaria.<ref>[http://news.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/hundreds_of_thousands_of_people_displaced/ Hundreds of thousands of people displaced]. ''[[Amnesty International]]''. [[28 June]] [[2007]]. Retrieved [[20 January]] [[2008]]</ref>
The Azerbaijani government has been unwilling to integrate the IDP's into the rest of the population as this could be interpreted as acceptance of the permanent loss of Nagorno-Karabakh.{{Facts|date=February 2007}} The government required IDPs to register their place of residence in an attempt to better target the limited and largely inadequate national and international assistance due to the Armenian advocated and US imposed restrictions on humanitarian aid to Azerbaijan. Many IDPs were from rural areas and found it difficult to integrate into the urban labor market. Many international humanitarian agencies reduced or ceased assistance for IDPs citing increasing oil revenues of the country.<ref name="wrs2005">[http://www.refugees.org/countryreports.aspx?cid=1301 World Refugee Survey: Azerbaijan report 2005]</ref> The infant mortality among displaced Azerbaijani children is 3-4 times higher than in the rest of the population. The rate of [[stillbirth]] was 88.2 per 1,000 births among the internally displaced people. The majority of the displaced have lived in difficult conditions for more than 13 years.<ref name="gidp">[http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004BE3B1/%28httpInfoFiles%29/84086FC6C659F7FAC125710E004D14B8/$file/Azerbaijan%20-May%202003.pdf Global IDP Project: Proifle of Internal Displacement: Azerbaijan. May 2003] (as a [[PDF|PDF file]])</ref>
280,000 persons—virtually all ethnic Armenians who fled Azerbaijan during the 1988–1993 war over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh—were living in refugee-like circumstances in Armenia.{{Facts|date=February 2007}} Some left the country, principally to Russia. Their children born in Armenia acquire citizenship automatically. Their numbers are thus subject to constant decline due to departure, and de-registration required for naturalization. Of these, about 250,000 fled Azerbaijan-proper (areas outside Nagorno-Karabakh); approximately 30,000 came from Nagorno-Karabakh. All were registered with the government as refugees at year’s end.<ref name= "wrs2001">[http://www.refugees.org/countryreports.aspx?__VIEWSTATE=dDwxMTA1OTA4MTYwOztsPENvdW50cnlERDpHb0J1dHRvbjs%2BPrImhOOqDI29eBMz8b04PTi8xjW2&cid=558&subm=&ssm=&map=&_ctl0%3ASearchInput=+KEYWORD+SEARCH&CountryDD%3ALocationList= US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. World Refugee Survey; Armenia Country Report. 2001.]</ref>
===Constitutional referendum===
{{main|Nagorno-Karabakh constitutional referendum, 2006}}
On [[November 3]], [[2006]] [[Arkadi Ghukasyan]] signed a decree<ref>[http://www.regnum.ru/english/733363.html Regnum.ru]</ref> to carry out a referendum on a draft Nagorno-Karabakh constitution, and this was held on 10 December of the same year.<ref name="RFE">[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/12/15d9442b-2b41-4132-9312-9a1f77fc92ac.html RadioFreeEurope]</ref> According to official preliminary results from December 10, as many as 98.6 percent of voters approved the constitution.<ref name="RFE"/> The 142nd article of the document describes the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as "a sovereign, democratic legal and social state"; however, the European Union, OSCE and [[GUAM]] rejected the referendum.<ref>[http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=17043 ISN.ETHZ.ch]</ref> The EU announced it was "aware that a 'constitutional referendum' has taken place," but reiterated that only a negotiated settlement between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians can bring a lasting solution.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/11/europe/EU_GEN_EU_Nagorno_Karabakh.php International Herald Tribune]</ref> In a statement, the OSCE chairman in office [[Karel De Gucht]] called the vote potentially harmful to the ongoing conflict settlement process, which, he said, has shown "visible progress" and is at a "promising juncture".<ref name="RFE"/> The outcome was also criticised by Turkey, which traditionally sides with Azerbaijan because of ethnic Turkic roots.<ref>[http://kavkaz.memo.ru/newstext/news/id/1144460.html Kavkaz.memo.ru]</ref>
== Administrative divisions ==
{{Main article|Administrative divisions of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic}}
[[Image:BergachtigK123.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Map of [[Nagorno-Karabakh_Republic|NKR]] with each province marked with a number: Shahumyan as 1, Mardakert as 2, Askeran as 3, Martuni as 4, Hadrut as 5 and Shusha as 6 and Qashatagh as 7. Stepanakert not shown.]]
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has eight administrative divisions. Their territories include the five districts of the former [[Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]] (NKAO), the [[Shahumian]] district in the Azerbaijan SSR which is currently under Azerbaijani control, and the seven rayons around the former NKAO that are under the control of the NKR forces. Following the NKR's declaration of independence, the Azerbaijani government abolished the NKAO and created Azerbaijani rayons in its place. As a result, some of the NKR's divisions correspond with the [[Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan|Azerbaijani rayons]], while others have different borders. A comparative table of the current divisions of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the corresponding rayons of Azerbaijan follows:<ref name="azerbregions">[http://www.travel-images.com/az-karabakh.html Azerb.com — Regions]</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Nagorno-Karabakh<ref>[http://census.stat-nkr.am/nkr/1-4.pdf 2005 NKR census (Map of divisions and info on each shown]</ref>
!colspan="2"|Azerbaijan
|-
! Division
! Rayon(s)
! Sahar (city)
|-
|align="center" |[[Askeran]]
|align="center" |[[Khojali]], portion of [[Agdam]]
|align="center" |[[Stepanakert|Khankendi]]
|-
|align="center" |[[Hadrut]]
|align="center" |southern [[Khojavend]], eastern [[Jabrayil]], [[Fizuli]]
|
|-
|align="center" |[[Martakert]]
|align="center" |eastern [[Kalbajar]], western [[Tartar (rayon)|Tartar]], portion of Agdam
|
|-
|align="center" |[[Martuni]]
|align="center" |northern [[Khojavend]], portion of Agdam
|
|-
|align="center" |[[Qashatagh Province|Qashatagh]]
|align="center" |[[Lachin]], [[Qubadli]], [[Zangilan]], western Jabrayil
|align="center" |
|-
|align="center" |[[Shahumian]]*
|align="center" |southern [[Goranboy]], western Kalbajar
|align="center" |[[Naftalan (Azerbaijan)|Naftalan]]
|-
|align="center" |[[Shushi (province)|Shushi]]
|align="center" |[[Shusha (rayon)|Shusha]]
|align="center" |[[Shusha]]
|-
|align="center" |[[Stepanakert]] (city)
|align="center" |Khojali
|align="center" |
|}
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic claims Shahumian, which was not part of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. Representatives from Shahumian declared independence along with Nagorno-Karabakh, and the proclamation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic includes the Shahumian region within its borders.[http://www.nkr.am/eng/deklaraciya209.html] Unlike the rest of Nagorno-Karabakh, Shahumian remains under Azerbaijani control.
Additional rayons of Azerbaijan are under Karabakh military control and are now part of the NKR: [[Lachin]], [[Qubadli]], [[Zangilan]], [[Jabrayil]], [[Kalbajar]] as well as parts of [[Agdam]] and [[Fizuli]]. On the other hand, the eastern ends of Martakert and Martuni are under Azerbaijani control, as is the whole of Shahumian.
== Demographics of Nagorno Karabakh Republic ==
In 2001, the NKR's reported population was 95% Armenian, with the remaining total including Assyrians, Greeks, and Kurds.<ref name="NKRpop">[http://www.nkrusa.org/country_profile/overview.shtml Ethnic composition of the region as provided by the government] </ref> In March 2007, the local government announced that its population had grown to 138,000. The annual birth rate was recorded at 2,200-2,300 per year, an increase from nearly 1,500 in 1999. Until 2000, the country's net migration was at a negative.<ref>Regnum News Agency. [http://www.regnum.ru/english/793359.html Nagorno Karabakh prime minister: We need to have at least 300,000 population]. Regnum. [[March 9]], [[2007]]. Retrieved [[March 9]], [[2007]].</ref> For the first half of 2007, 1,010 births and 659 deaths were reported, with a net emigration of 27.<ref>[http://demoscope.ru/weekly/2007/0297/panorm01.php Евразийская панорама]</ref>
Most of the Armenian population is [[Christianity|Christian]] and belongs to the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]. Certain [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox Christian]] and [[Evangelical Christian]] denominations also exist; other religions include [[Judaism]].<ref name="NKRpop"/>
'''The Population of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic [http://www.stat-nkr.am/2000_2006/05.pdf]:'''
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Population (000s)
!Urban
!Rural
!Birth Rate
!Death Rate
!NGR
!Net Immigration
|----
|2000
|134.4
|68.4
|66.0
|16.6
|8.8
|7.7
|16.1
|----
|2001
|135.7
|68.7
|67.0
|17.0
|7.9
|9.1
|11.5
|----
|2002
|136.6
|69.3
|67.3
|16.0
|9.1
|6.9
|4.9
|----
|2003
|137.0
|69.1
|67.9
|15.0
|9.0
|6.0
|1.3
|----
|2004
|137.2
|69.8
|67.4
|15.3
|9.5
|5.8
| -2.6
|----
|2005
|137.7
|70.5
|67.2
|14.6
|9.2
|5.4
|1.7
|----
|2006
|137.7
|70.8
|66.9
|15.3
|9.0
|6.3
| -3.2
|----
|}
'''Population by Age Group'''
{| class = "wikitable"
!Age Group
!Total (000s)
!Urban
!Rural
!% of Pop
!% of Urban Pop
!% of Rural Pop
|----
|0-6
|15.7
|7.5
|8.2
|11.4
|10.6
|12.3
|----
|7-17
|25.2
|12.8
|12.4
|18.3
|18.1
|18.5
|----
|18-59
|75.8
|41.9
|33.9
|55.0
|59.2
|50.7
|----
|60+
|21.0
|8.6
|12.4
|15.3
|12.1
|18.5
|----
|}
'''Population by Province [http://www.spyur.am/images/htmfix/armenia/map_eng.gif Map of Provinces]'''
{| class="wikitable"
!Pop (000s)
!2000
!2001
!2002
!2003
!2004
!2005
!2006
|----
|Total
|134.4
|135.7
|136.6
|137.0
|137.2
|137.7
|137.7
|----
|[[Stepanakert]]
|49.5
|49.5
|49.7
|49.8
|49.9
|50.0
|50.4
|----
|[[Askeran]]
|16.0
|16.6
|16.6
|16.8
|16.9
|17.0
|17.0
|----
|[[Hadrut|Hadrout]]
|11.4
|11.4
|11.8
|11.9
|11.9
|12.0
|12.4
|----
|[[Mardakert|Martakert]]
|18.9
|18.7
|18.8
|18.8
|18.8
|18.9
|18.9
|----
|[[Martuni|Martouni]]
|22.8
|22.9
|23.0
|23.0
|23.0
|23.2
|23.1
|----
|[[Kalbajar#Under_Armenian_Control|Shahoumyan]]
|2.0
|2.5
|2.5
|2.5
|2.5
|2.5
|2.8
|----
|[[Shusha|Shousha]]
|4.0
|4.1
|4.2
|4.3
|4.4
|4.4
|4.5
|----
|[[Qashatagh Province|Qashatagh]]
|9.8
|10.0
|10.0
|9.9
|9.8
|9.7
|8.6
|}
'''Urban Population by Province'''
{|class="wikitable"
!Pop (000s)
!2000
!2001
!2002
!2003
!2004
!2005
!2006
|----
|Total
|68.4
|68.7
|69.3
|69.1
|69.8
|70.5
|70.8
|----
|Stepanakert
|49.5
|49.5
|49.7
|49.8
|49.9
|50.0
|50.4
|----
|Askeran
|2.3
|2.1
|2.0
|1.9
|2.0
|2.0
|2.1
|----
|Hadrout
|2.5
|2.5
|2.8
|2.8
|2.7
|2.8
|3.0
|----
|Martakert
|3.8
|3.8
|3.8
|3.8
|4.0
|4.2
|3.8
|----
|Martouni
|4.3
|4.5
|4.7
|4.5
|4.8
|4.9
|4.9
|----
|[[Kalbajar#Under_Armenian_Control|Shahoumyan]]
|0.4
|0.5
|0.6
|0.5
|0.5
|0.4
|0.5
|----
|Shousha
|2.7
|2.9
|3.0
|3.1
|3.1
|3.3
|3.3
|----
|[[Qashatagh Province|Qashatagh]]
|2.9
|2.9
|2.7
|2.7
|2.8
|2.9
|2.7
|}
'''Rural Population by Province'''
{| class="wikitable"
!Pop (000s)
!2000
!2001
!2002
!2003
!2004
!2005
!2006
|----
|Total
|66.0
|67.0
|67.3
|67.9
|67.4
|67.2
|66.9
|----
|Stepanakert
|0.0
|0.0
|0.0
|0.0
|0.0
|0.0
|0.0
|----
|Askeran
|13.7
|14.5
|14.6
|14.9
|14.9
|15.0
|14.9
|----
|Hadrout
|8.9
|8.9
|9.0
|9.1
|9.2
|9.2
|9.4
|----
|Martakert
|15.1
|14.9
|15.0
|15.0
|14.8
|14.7
|15.1
|----
|Martouni
|18.5
|18.4
|18.3
|18.5
|18.2
|18.3
|18.2
|----
|[[Kalbajar#Under_Armenian_Control|Shahoumyan]]
|1.6
|2.0
|1.9
|2.0
|2.0
|2.1
|2.2
|----
|Shousha
|1.3
|1.2
|1.2
|1.2
|1.3
|1.1
|1.2
|----
|[[Qashatagh Province|Qashatagh]]
|6.9
|7.1
|7.3
|7.2
|7.0
|6.8
|5.9
|}
'''Vital Stats:'''
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Births
!Deaths
!NG
!BR
!DR
!NGR
|----
|2000
|2,222
|1,185
|1,037
|16.5
|8.8
|7.7
|----
|2001
|2,306
|1,075
|1,231
|17.0
|7.9
|9.1
|----
|2002
|2,190
|1,242
|948
|16.0
|9.1
|6.9
|----
|2003
|2,058
|1,232
|826
|15.0
|9.0
|6.0
|----
|2004
|2,095
|1,306
|789
|15.3
|9.5
|5.8
|----
|2005
|2,004
|1,260
|744
|14.6
|9.2
|5.4
|----
|2006
|2,102
|1,235
|867
|15.3
|9.0
|6.3
|----
|}
'''Vital Stats for Urban Population:'''
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Births
!Deaths
!NG
!BR
!DR
!NGR
|----
|2000
|1,158
|566
|592
|16.9
|8.3
|8.7
|----
|2001
|1,162
|519
|643
|16.9
|7.6
|9.4
|----
|2002
|1,120
|539
|581
|16.2
|7.8
|8.4
|----
|2003
|1,106
|579
|527
|16.0
|8.4
|7.6
|----
|2004
|1,235
|662
|573
|17.7
|9.5
|8.2
|----
|2005
|1,132
|640
|492
|16.1
|9.1
|7.0
|----
|2006
|1,202
|605
|597
|17.0
|8.6
|8.4
|----
|}
Vital Statistics for Rural Population
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Births
!Deaths
!NG
!BR
!DR
!NGR
|----
|2000
|1,064
|619
|445
|16.1
|9.4
|6.7
|----
|2001
|1,144
|556
|588
|17.1
|8.3
|8.8
|----
|2002
|1,070
|703
|367
|15.9
|10.4
|5.5
|----
|2003
|952
|653
|299
|14.0
|9.6
|4.4
|----
|2004
|860
|644
|216
|12.8
|9.6
|3.2
|----
|2005
|872
|620
|252
|13.0
|9.2
|3.8
|----
|2006
|900
|630
|270
|13.5
|9.4
|4.0
|----
|}
{{Non-sovereign territories of Europe}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
* [[Yeghishe Ishkhanian]] - first prime-minster of Nagorno-Karabakh in 1918
* [[Janapar]] - the hiking trail across Karabakh
* [[Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army]]
* [[Foreign relations of Nagorno-Karabakh]]
==External links==
''official websites:''
*[http://www.karabakh.net/engl/gov?id=1 Government of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]
*[http://www.nkr.am/eng/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]
*[http://www.nkrusa.org/ Office of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Washington DC]
*[http://www.stat-nkr.am/ National Statistical Service of NKR]
''media:''
*[http://www.karabakh-open.com/src/index.php?id=0&lang=en Karabakh-Open]
*[http://www.artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php Artsakh Government's newspaper]
[[Category:Nagorno-Karabakh| ]]
[[an:Alto Karabagh]]
[[be-x-old:Нагорны Карабах]]
[[cs:Náhorno-karabašská republika]]
[[de:Republik Bergkarabach]]
[[fa:جمهوری قره باغ کوهستانی]]
[[gl:Nagorno-Karabakh]]
[[hy:Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն]]
[[hi:नागोर्नो-काराबाख]]
[[io:Nagorno-Karabakh]]
[[ka:მთიანი ყარაბაღის რესპუბლიკა]]
[[nl:Republiek Nagorno-Karabach]]
[[ru:Нагорно-Карабахская Республика]]
[[tr:Sözde Dağlık Karabağ Cumhuriyeti]]