structures, international partners, and leaders of parliaments of different countries, drawing attention to the difficult situation caused by the crisis of the Lachin Corridor for eight months.
In the official letter, details are presented about the situation of the 120,000 Armenian population facing the real danger of extermination as a result of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh. The letter emphasizes that natural gas and electricity supply to Nagorno-Karabakh was deliberately disrupted along with the blockade, and since June 15, Azerbaijan has completely prohibited even the humanitarian entry of the International Committee of the Red Cross to Nagorno-Karabakh, and the supply of even basic necessities has been completely stopped.
Referring to basic necessities, it was noted that the stock of grain is quickly consumed, and due to the lack of fuel, it is not possible to bake bread in at least production volumes and deliver it to stores.
The RA NA Speaker drew attention to the fact that on July 26, the Armenian government sent 360 tons of humanitarian cargo to Nagorno Karabakh, but the Azerbaijani authorities do not allow the convoy of 19 trucks to pass through the Lachin Corridor to Stepanakert.
The letter describes Azerbaijan’s disregard for the decision of the International Court of Justice, which ordered Azerbaijan to immediately suspend the operation of the checkpoint, as it undeniably hinders the rights of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, as defined by the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. “The humanitarian disaster created by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh shows that without a viable international mechanism, no Armenian can survive in Nagorno-Karabakh. We attach great importance to the targeted and objective evaluations and efforts made by partner parliaments and international organizations aimed at the peace agenda and the stability of our region,” the letter says.
RA NA Speaker mentions a sequence of steps, as a result of which it will be possible to change the situation. “The desired goals can be achieved through the following steps, in relation to which we also expect your active support.
• Implementation of international mechanisms. international organizations should act quickly within the framework of their mandated powers and existing instruments, which are designed to solve such situations. International humanitarian organizations, in particular, UN agencies, should carry out monitoring missions to the corridor and the region, despite the obstacles.
• It is extremely important to record that, according to our position, the issue of the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh should be addressed as a result of the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue, negotiations, and discussions. But, taking into account the incommensurability of the forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan, we believe that this conversation should take place within the framework of international mechanisms, where the international community will be present. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan perceives and interprets Armenia’s interest in the process as an encroachment or ambition towards Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
• If Baku does not comply with the legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice of the United Nations within a reasonable time, we expect that the parliamentary body headed by you will appeal to the European Commission (the country’s government) with an urge to apply appropriate sanctions against Azerbaijan. These are not easy solutions and require difficult decisions and determination, but they are viable to stop the ongoing ethnic cleansing of 120,000 civilians.
•These days, we consider it extremely necessary to open the Lachin Corridor so that the convoy with humanitarian aid can reach Nagorno-Karabakh. We look forward to your active steps in that direction,” RA NA Speaker Alen Simonyan concluded.
