Urgent Need for Access to Accident Zone for Armenian Side: Takhuhy Tovmasyan Appeals to International Community

Chair of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, independent member Takhuhy Tovmasyan writes:

“Urgently ensure access for the Armenian side to the accident zone to restore electricity supply to Artsakh: a pressing demand to the international community. For more than a month, the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem has continued its ethnic cleansing and genocidal policies in Artsakh, effectively holding hostage 120,000 people, including 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly, and 9,000 people with disabilities.

Azerbaijan has created a humanitarian emergency in Artsakh, leading to the region being left without electricity during the harsh winter conditions. An accident was reported in the high-voltage line segment from Aghavno to Berdzor, which is the only route supplied by Armenia. Due to Azerbaijan's destructive stance, it has not been possible to organize emergency recovery work in that area. The Azerbaijani side has cut the internet cables entering Artsakh and is hindering repair work.

Azerbaijan has blocked all supplies of food, medicine, and essential goods to Artsakh. Thousands of children are deprived of their right to education, with more than 100 educational institutions closed due to food shortages. Thousands of families are separated, with children hundreds of kilometers away from their parents. Issues in Artsakh are increasing day by day in the context of leaving Azerbaijan unpunished for its actions. The goal of this criminal policy by Azerbaijan is to depopulate Artsakh. This is also evidenced by Aliyev's recent statement that if Armenians do not wish to be citizens of Azerbaijan in Artsakh, the corridor is open, and they may leave.”