State Independence Declaration of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic

Considering the intrinsic right of nations to self-determination and being guided by the free will of the people of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic expressed at the Republican referendum on December 10, 1991;

Realizing responsibility for the destiny of the historical Motherland;

Being committed to the principles of the September 2, 1991 Declaration On Proclamation of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic;

Striving to normalize relations between the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples;

Wishing to defend the population of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic from external attacks and physical extermination;

Developing free and democratic self-government experience that Nagorno Karabagh had in 1918-1920

Expressing readiness to establish equal and mutually beneficial relations with all states and commonwealth of states;

Respecting and being guided by the principles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Concluding Document of the Vienna Meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and other universally recognized norms of international law;

The Supreme Council of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic asseverates the proclaimed independent statehood of the NKR

The Nagorno Karabagh Republic is an independent state that has its national flag, emblem and anthem. The Constitution and laws of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic as well as international legal documents regulating human rights and freedoms prevail on the whole territory of the Republic.

The bearer of sovereignty and the sole source of power in the Nagorno Karabagh are the people of the Republic who exercise their power and will through nationwide referenda or representative organs.

All the inhabitants of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic are citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic. Double citizenship is allowed in the Nagorno Karabagh Republic. The citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic are under the protection of the Republic. The Nagorno Karabagh Republic ensures rights and freedoms of its citizens irrespective of nationality, race and religion.

To protect and secure its citizens the Nagorno Karabagh Republic forms armed forces as well as forces protecting public order and state security. These forces are under the control of the leadership of the Republic. The citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic do military service in the territory of the NKR. Citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic can do military service in other countries and in the armed forces of foreign states stationed within the territory of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic in accordance with interstate treaties and agreements.

Being the subject if international law, the Nagorno Karabagh Republic conducts independent foreign policy, establishes direct relations with other states, partakes in the activities of international organizations.

The land, water and air space, natural, material and spiritual wealth belong to the people of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic. The procedure of utilization and ownership this wealth are regulated by laws of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.

The basis of the NKR’s economy is the equality of all forms of property as well as equal opportunities for all the citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic for full and free participation in economic life.

The Nagorno Karabagh Republic recognizes the supremacy of human rights, guarantees freedom of speech and conscience, political and public activity as well as all civil rights recognized by the international community. National minorities are under the protection of the state. The state structure of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic provides all possibilities for the full participation of national minorities in political, economic and spiritual life of the Republic. Any sorts of discrimination based on nationality, race or religion is prohibited by law
The Armenian language is the state language of the NKR. The Nagorno Karabagh Republic recognizes the right of national minorities to use their languages without any limitations in economic, cultural and educational spheres.

The Declaration on Proclamation of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights will serve as the basis for the Constitution and legislation of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.

Stepanakert
January 6, 1992.