The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Switzerland and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Armenia at the UN Office in Geneva reported that today, a group of UN experts expressed alarm over Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which has led to a dire humanitarian crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
As a result of the blockade, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia has remained blocked for the past seven months, as a result of which the population has faced a sharp shortage of food, medical supplies, and hygiene supplies. The blockade has also disrupted medical and educational facilities and put the lives of residents, especially children, the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women, and the sick, at the most significant risk.
“The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is a humanitarian crisis that has led to a sharp decline in food supplies, including oil, fish, poultry, dairy, wheat, sugar, and baby food,” the experts said.
They warn that medicine is running out fast, and hospitals are struggling to provide medical care as fuel shortages have disrupted ambulances.
Experts call on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately restore the uninterrupted movement of people, vehicles, and goods in both directions through the Lachin Corridor by the 2020 ceasefire agreement of November 9.
They also call on Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the region to protect the corridor, in line with the provisions of the ceasefire agreement.
“By lifting the blockade, the authorities will free thousands of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh from suffering and allow the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population,” experts note. “At this critical moment, it is necessary to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals,” the experts said.
“We call on the government of Azerbaijan to adhere to its international obligations to respect and protect human rights, including the rights to food, health, education, and life.
We also emphasize the importance of cooperation and dialogue between all parties involved in the peaceful and long-term settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”, the experts note.
UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, and Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older people.
