Open the Path of Life: Artsakh Human Rights Defender

Like all children in the world, the children of Artsakh also need safety and support. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, in reference to Azerbaijan's closure of the Lachin corridor since December 12, 2022.

“Like all children, the children of Artsakh deserve love and support, nourishment, safety, and security. However, due to Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh, hundreds of families are now separated, and children have not been able to see their parents for nearly 24 days. Open the path of life,” Stepanyan wrote on his Twitter page.

It has been the 24th day that the only road connecting Artsakh to the world, the Lachin corridor, remains closed. Azerbaijan has blocked the corridor since December 12, citing false environmental reasons.

Due to Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, a humanitarian crisis has emerged for 120,000 people in Artsakh, including 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly individuals, and about 9,000 persons with disabilities.

As a result of the road closure, 1,100 people, including 270 children, have been unable to return to Artsakh from Armenia.