A/HRC/24/13 including the Nagorno-Karabakh1 region and seven adjacent districts, and the unresolved state of the conflict.2 The head of delegation, Mr. Khalafov, stated that all the remarks contained in the statement on the conflict were related to the realization of human rights within the whole territory of Azerbaijan, the territorial integrity of which has been violated by Armenia. He stated that the conflict has had grave consequences to date, and represented one of the major obstacles3 to the protection of human rights in the country. In the course of the armed aggression, the Armenian side committed grave violations of international humanitarian law, including numerous killings and extrajudicial executions of Azerbaijani civilians, hostages and prisoners of war, and use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Azerbaijan noted that the national report contained more detailed information regarding the fact that almost one million of its people became refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of the policy of ethnic cleansing4 by the Republic of Armenia. Mr. Khalafov further stated that such behaviour by Armenia was not a surprise, and that it was aimed at disrupting the review of Azerbaijan. 7. Azerbaijan conducts ongoing cooperation with the special procedures, which will be continued. Azerbaijan has been receiving visits by special procedures mandate holders. The latest visit was by the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health from 16 to 23 May 2012. Azerbaijan also highlighted that it had already extended a standing invitation to all special procedures mandate holders. 8. Azerbaijan mentioned that the National Action Programme on raising the efficiency of human rights protection was adopted in 2011. It covers the issues reflected in the recommendations addressed to Azerbaijan during the first UPR. It also envisages such issues as improvement of the normative legal basis, including through the definition of human rights and fundamental freedoms as a major criterion for drafting laws, improving the activities of State agencies, training, research and awareness-raising measures on human rights and cooperation with international organizations in the field of human rights. 9. Azerbaijan stated that it had joined the Open Government Partnership in 2011 with a view to raising transparency and promoting open Government practices, exchanging 1 2 3 4 4 In accordance with General Assembly resolution 62/243, entitled “The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan”, references to “Nagorno-Karabakh” in the present report should read as “the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” Armenia requested the President remind the delegation of Azerbaijan that it should only use accepted language in the United Nations. Armenia requested the President to disregard the allegations made against Armenia and not to include them in the report of the Working Group. In response, the President reminded all delegations that, as per rule 113 of the rules of procedure, a point of order should focus on procedural matters. He stated that debating on territorial issues was a substantive exercise, and those issues would be more appropriately dealt with in other fora. He further stated that the UPR Working Group was not the competent body to discuss issues of a political or territorial nature. Consequently, the President invited all delegations to focus on human rights issues in the context of their statements. He reiterated that all States were entitled to their views and asked that these be voiced in a respectful and dignified manner. The President appealed to all concerned to refrain from using the UPR to deal with bilateral issues as this would ultimately undermine the principles of universality and the goals of the mechanism. With respect to Armenia’s request for a point of order, the President reminded the meeting that States that are not members of the Council may raise points of order under rule 113, but cannot appeal the ruling of the President. With respect to Armenia’s further request for a point of order, the President again reminded the meeting that States that are not members of the Council may raise points of order under rule 113, but cannot appeal the ruling of the President. The President further urged the delegation of Armenia to refrain from these reactions.