Artsakh has been under siege for 170 days.
On May 26, the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, convened a meeting of the Security Council, the agenda of which was the military-political situation around Artsakh.
Foreign political and security issues, as well as social and economic challenges caused by the blockade, were discussed.
The President gave a number of instructions regarding the solution of existing problems in the short and long term.
President Harutyunyan signed decrees on additional restrictions applied under martial law
According to the Presidential Decree, all kinds of gatherings are prohibited, except for the purpose of realizing the right of self-determination of the people of Artsakh, as well as gatherings organized on holidays and memorial days of the Republic of Artsakh, which can be organized only with the permission of the Government of the Republic of Artsakh.
Another decree of the President restricts the freedom of expression of opinion, prohibits seeking, receiving and disseminating information about the defense capability, security, territorial integrity, sovereignty, constitutional or public order, normal development of the Artsakh Republic through any means of information, including propaganda against them.
On 26 May, 15 patients from the Republican Medical Center of Artsakh, together with persons accompanying them, were transferred to the specialized medical centers of Armenia with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
12 medical patients, who were sent to Armenia for treatment within the framework of the state order, returned to Artsakh with persons accompanying them. Dozens of patients are still waiting for their turn.
After Azerbaijan installed an illegal checkpoint on 23 April on the border with Armenia on the highway connecting Artsakh to Armenia, the communities of Hin Shen, Mets Shen, Lisagor and Yeghtsahogh of Berdadzor sub-district of Shushi region were under a bilateral blockade, deprived of all possibilities of communication with the rest of Artsakh and Armenia. Due to the Azerbaijani obstacles, all kinds of humanitarian supplies to the residents of those villages were also stopped.
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 disrupted, 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 168 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.”
