Human Rights Defender of Artsakh Meets with OSCE President, Expresses Discontent

On April 13, Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh, met with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Bujar Osmani, who is on a working visit in Armenia.

During the meeting, Stepanyan addressed the ethnic cleansing policies conducted by Azerbaijan since the establishment of the ceasefire on November 9, 2020, highlighting specific facts and examples of Azerbaijani crimes. He presented the humanitarian consequences of the illegal blockade by Azerbaijan that has lasted for four months and the widespread violations of the rights of the people of Artsakh.

The Human Rights Defender noted that the indifference of international actors and the lack of implementation of the International Court of Justice's decision have not resulted in any consequences for Azerbaijan, which further extends its impunity and lawlessness. In response to the statements and calls from the international community, Azerbaijan has intensified the blockade and continued actions that inflict further suffering on the civilian population.

Gegham Stepanyan expressed his dissatisfaction with the inadequate and untargeted response of the international community to the created humanitarian crisis, indicating that it is incomprehensible and unacceptable for the international community to adopt differentiated approaches to human rights protection in the context of different conflicts. He expressed hope that practical steps would be taken by international partners to lift the blockade and address the humanitarian situation.

Emphasizing the importance of OSCE involvement in resolving the Azerbaijan-Artsakh conflict, the Defender highlighted the necessity of restoring the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group format, sending a fact-finding mission to Artsakh, and maintaining a permanent presence in the region.

Also present at the meeting was Andrzej Kasprzyk, the personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.