Closure of the Lachin Corridor and Creation of Humanitarian Crisis is an Act of Genocide, Says Cypriot Representative

The closure of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan and the creation of a humanitarian crisis for the people of Artsakh is an act of genocide. This was stated by the Cypriot delegate Konstantinos Efstatios at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, calling for the immediate cessation of the blockade of the corridor.

In his speech at the PACE, the Cypriot representative raised serious concerns about the humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. “Entry into Artsakh and supplies must be unconditionally restored, and Azerbaijan must respect the trilateral agreement and ensure the safety of people and the movement of goods through the Lachin Corridor. Thousands of people, including children, are unable to return to their homes due to the blockade. This alarming situation threatens the fragile peace process and may lead to a resurgence of violence,” he stated.

The Cypriot representative noted that the consequences would be disastrous not only for Armenians and Azerbaijanis but also for the South Caucasus region as a whole. “As a member of the Council of Europe, we urge the Azerbaijani authorities to open the Lachin Corridor without delays and to refrain from actions that provoke tension,” he said. Efstatios further continued, “Is it a crime to die just because someone is Armenian or Christian?”

He emphasized that starving people and leaving them without access to electricity and medicine constitutes an act of genocide. One of the elements of genocide is creating living conditions that lead to the physical destruction of a group of people. “This is a crucial moment for genocide; let us not sacrifice people based on political conditions or national interests. Every person in this world deserves to live in dignity and in conditions of full respect for their rights. The message must be clear: stop the blockade of the Lachin Corridor,” concluded the Cypriot representative.