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Nagorno Karabakh until 1918
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State Building / Sovereignty

In September 1991, after seventy years of discrimination by Soviet Azerbaijan combined with oppression by the Soviet regime, the people of Artsakh braved repression to shake off the shackles of subjugation. They are justifiably proud of overcoming the odds to be able to live in freedom under a government of their own choosing and to be masters of their own destiny.

Today, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a serious and reliable partner of the international community. NKR is committed to peace and stability in the region of the South Caucasus and, together with the United States and the rest of the civilized world, shares the highest values of democracy and liberty and respect for human rights and freedoms. Despite the consequences of the war and blockade, NKR has made impressive progress on its path to post-war reconstruction and economic development as well as successful state- and democracy-building. In the face of tremendous devastation brought by the war and the continued Azerbaijani blockade, Karabakh has successfully rebuilt its infrastructure and reformed its economy to a free-market system. NKR has made impressive economic progress, reflected in increased foreign investments and improved social well-being.

The Republic established its own legally and democratically elected governing bodies: it is a presidential republic with a cabinet of ministers headed by prime minister and a multi-party parliament. Since 1995, NKR has held several presidential, parliamentary and local administration elections that were monitored by international observers, including those from the United States, and were characterized as free, transparent and democratic.

The Republic introduced a legislative framework making progress on the path of democratic reforms and state building. On December, 2006, this process received its logical continuation after the NKR adopted its own Constitution strengthening its sovereignty and law enforcement. Along with improvement of domestic legislation, since the very beginning of its existence, the NKR has also joined different international conventions and proclamations, aiming to create a free, rule-of-law and democratic state. Thus, NKR legislative body adopted resolutions on joining the Declaration “On Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples” (on November 26, 1992), “Universal Declaration on Human Rights”, “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” (on November 23, 1994) and their facultative protocols. Further on, the NKR Parliament adopted a resolution “On Adopting the Accomplishment of the Geneva Conventions of 1949” and “The Additional Protocols to the Conventions of 1977”.


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