Refugees and forced migrants in Azerbaijan : the political context

Abstract

In the context of a conflict discourse, the factor of the existence of refugees and IDPs in the country becomes an important political resource. The authorities and the opposition actively use this factor in political fights and to strengthen their own positions. As a certain homogenous group, refugees and IDPS do not exist outside of the political discourse. Over the past 20 years, the refugee population has become strongly differentiated. A full resolution of issues related to this category of persons, and their de-politicization, is possible only in a situation of a lesser relevance of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.