Artsakh has been under siege for 152 days.

Since the installation of the illegal checkpoint on the Goris-Stepanakert highway near the Hakari Bridge on April 23, Azerbaijan has been artificially obstructing the normal operation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nagorno-Karabakh, by which the Azerbaijani side violates both the provisions of the international humanitarian law, and the agreement reached during the blockade on the transfer to Armenia of the persons in extremely serious health condition.

During this time, the ICRC transported patients only twice: on April 28 (13 patients) and on April 29 (16 patients). Since April 29, with the mediation of the ICRC, the transfer of patients to medical institutions of the Republic of Armenia has completely stopped. According to the information received by the Human Rights Defender’s Office, the Azerbaijani side has put forward additional conditions, demanding to check the ICRC cars transporting patients, as well as the passports of the ICRC employees and patients, thus, violating the agreements reached earlier.

Azerbaijan deliberately prevents the supply of essential medicines to Artsakh through the ICRC, as a result of which serious problems arise in medical institutions of Artsakh.

We expect practical intervention by international structures in the settlement of this urgent humanitarian issue.

On 12 May, the State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan reported on the effects of the blockade of Artsakh on the education rights of Artsakh citizens. “Especially now, when after finishing school, hundreds of young people are trying to lay the foundation for further higher or professional education, as a result of the blockade, they are deprived of the opportunity to get an education outside of Artsakh or to choose a profession, to participate in inter-university exams outside of Artsakh. Those of our citizens who remained in the Republic of Armenia as a result of the blockade, who want to continue their education in Artsakh universities, are facing similar problems.”

On 22 February, the International Court published the decision regarding the request submitted by Armenia and stated: “Since 12 December, the connection through the Lachin Corridor has been disrypted, the supply of food, medicine and other necessary goods to Nagorno Karabakh has been hindered, which can cause irreparable damage.

“The Court considers that it is necessary to apply a temporary measure and court records that Azerbaijan is obliged to take the measures that depend on it to ensure the uninterrupted movement of people and goods in both directions through the Lachin Corridor.”

It was noted that the court’s decision came into force from the moment of its publication.

However, the fact is that the road is still closed. The cases of violation of the ceasefire regime by Azerbaijan have increased; this is confirmed by the reports of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Due to the lack of international pressure on Azerbaijan, the Armenians of Artsakh are facing a humanitarian disaster. The appeals of the international community have been ignored by the leadership of Azerbaijan until now.

Fundamental human rights have been violated for 151 days, and international organizations and states are silent.

Due to the terrorist behavior of the Azerbaijani side, the villages of Shushi region are completely cut off from the capital of Artsakh and other settlements.

It should be noted that the Governing Board of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia also made a statement. “This blockade, under the guise of environmentalism, pursues   the realization of the corrupt ambitions of the despotic leadership of Azerbaijan to seize the most important assets of Artsakh’s economy.”