THE WESTERN AZERBAIJAN ISSUE: IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DIPLOMACY

Abstract

The issue of Western Azerbaijan is a complex historical and political problem shaped by consecutive waves of ethnic engineering, forced deportations and demographic manipulation carried out in the South Caucasus throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The complete expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan in four major stages 1905 1906, 1918–1920, 1948–1953 and 1988–1991 fundamentally altered the region’s ethnic landscape and contributed to the establishment of a mono-ethnic Armenian state. These deportation processes deprived hundreds of thousands of people of their ancestral homelands, destroyed cultural heritage sites and caused profound social and psychological damage. International legal documents including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1951 Refugee Convention, the European Convention on Human Rights and UNESCO conventions affirm the right of return, restitution of property and the prohibition of ethnic cleansing. Therefore, the issue is not merely a historical dispute but a clear case of violations of fundamental human rights. In the modern period, changing geopolitical realities in the region, new diplomatic dynamics between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the increasing involvement of international actors have further highlighted the relevance of the Western Azerbaijan issue. The Return Concept adopted by the Republic of Azerbaijan prioritizes a humanitarian and legal approach to the matter. Addressing the consequences of deportation, ensuring safe and dignified return and restoring cultural heritage are essential for building lasting peace and regional stability in the South Caucasus. The analysis shows that resolving the Western Azerbaijan issue not only restores historical justice but also provides the foundation for a fair, stable and sustainable regional order for future generations.