ICRC Will Not Engage in Any Humanitarian Actions Until Full Compliance with Humanitarian Ceasefire Along Artsakh-Azerbaijan Contact Line: Z. Amatuni

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will not begin to engage in any humanitarian actions until the humanitarian ceasefire along the Artsakh and Azerbaijan contact line is fully maintained. This was stated by Zara Amatuni, the head of the ICRC communication programs in Armenia, in an interview with Armenpress.

“The ICRC will not start to engage in any humanitarian activities in such a situation because this humanitarian ceasefire needs to be entirely respected, which in turn will ensure the safety of our teams working there. We see reports of shelling from both sides,” Amatuni said, adding that naturally, the current situation does not allow for operations to commence, as the conditions are not adequate.

One of the points from the ceasefire agreement reached during the meeting on October 9 in Moscow between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan, which lasted more than 11 hours, specifies that the ceasefire is intended for humanitarian purposes—specifically for the exchange of prisoners of war and other persons under custody, as well as the bodies of the deceased. When asked who falls under the category of “persons under custody,” Amatuni responded that there is no clarification on that matter.

“In this regard, our organization is not among the decision-makers because it is not involved in political negotiations. Our role is strictly humanitarian, which means we will support the sides to fulfill their obligations regarding the return of bodies and individuals. As for the framework, that is determined by the parties. At this moment, we are in contact with the parties regarding follow-up meetings and discussions with the authorities of the involved sides. Further details will be clarified,” emphasized the head of the ICRC’s communication programs in Armenia.