Azerbaijan's Conduct Directly Contradicts International Law: Ombudsman of Artsakh

On April 23, near the Hakari Bridge on the Goris-Stepanakert highway, Azerbaijan has been artificially obstructing the normal functioning of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nagorno-Karabakh since the installation of an illegal checkpoint. The Azerbaijani side is not only violating provisions of international humanitarian law but is also grossly breaching an agreement reached regarding the transfer of individuals in extremely critical health conditions to Armenia during the blockade. In doing so, Azerbaijan is directly ignoring the European Court of Human Rights' decision from December 21, 2022, which obligated Azerbaijan to take all necessary and sufficient measures to ensure the movement of severely ill individuals in need of medical assistance to Armenia through the Lachin corridor. This was stated by the Ombudsman of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan.

During this time, the ICRC managed to transfer patients twice: on April 28 (13 patients) and April 29 (16 patients). However, as of April 29, the transfers of patients to Armenian medical facilities through the ICRC have completely ceased. According to information obtained by the Ombudsman’s office, the Azerbaijani side has put forward additional conditions, requiring the inspection of vehicles transporting patients, as well as the passports of ICRC staff and patients, thus violating previously reached agreements. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Artsakh has reported that 30 patients in extremely critical condition are awaiting urgent transfer.

Azerbaijan is deliberately obstructing the supply of necessary medications to Artsakh through the ICRC, leading to serious problems in healthcare facilities there. With the aim of fully isolating Artsakh, Azerbaijan is taking deliberate measures to obstruct the operations of humanitarian organizations in the region by consistently imposing artificial additional demands. Even in humanitarian matters, Azerbaijan is unwilling to demonstrate constructiveness, seizing every opportunity to intimidate the population and exacerbate both the physical and psychological suffering caused by the blockade, thereby intentionally deepening the humanitarian crisis.

Azerbaijan's conduct directly contradicts international law and the principles of humanitarianism, which should receive clear condemnation from international organizations and the human rights community. We are expecting practical intervention from international bodies to address this critical humanitarian issue.