Azerbaijan's Goal is Clear: To Create an Intolerable Humanitarian Crisis and Force People to Leave Artsakh - Armenian Ombudsman

The Armenian Ombudsman, Kristine Grigoryan, has issued a statement regarding the closure of the highway connecting Artsakh to Armenia. She stated: 'Azerbaijani “environmental activists” have blocked the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the world. Even for a novice investigator, the videos reflecting the 'activists' behavior and the content of discussions with Russian peacekeepers on the ground reveal the fabricated nature of this 'action'. Just like last year during the prolonged disruption of the only gas pipeline between Armenia and Artsakh, the current closure of the only road connecting Artsakh to the outside world is very clear in its objective: to create an unbearable humanitarian crisis and thereby force people to leave their homes and homeland. More than 120,000 peaceful elderly, women, children, and men are trapped, with their lives, health, livelihoods, freedom of movement, and other vital and inalienable rights at risk.

This political agenda, fueled by ethnic hatred (anti-Armenianism), is directly sanctioned by the Azerbaijani state authorities, contrary to international human rights standards and in violation of commitments made under trilateral statements. I have presented the facts of the situation to relevant international organizations and actors, demanding an unequivocal condemnation of this act of genocidal policy and urging them to exert pressure on Azerbaijan to cease these glaring and ongoing violations of human rights,' the statement reads.