For Artsakh, Against Azerbaijan: Rally and March in Kornidzor

Today, on May 20, the "Volunteer Movement" NGO is holding a rally in Syunik, in Kornidzor. According to the statement released by the movement, the rally is taking place at the beginning of the Hakari bridge to reaffirm our decision to say no to the concessions imposed on Armenia and to stand with Artsakh and Armenia, as well as to demonstrate our will to live and fight.

It should be noted that Artsakh has been under blockade for more than 160 days. On December 12, a group of Azerbaijanis in civilian clothing closed the Stepanakert-Goris highway connecting Artsakh to Armenia under the pretext of environmental reasons, from which they left on April 28. Prior to this, on February 22, 2022, the International Court of Justice applied urgent measures against Azerbaijan, demanding the unblocking of the Lachin corridor. This decision has not only been ignored, but also on April 23, Azerbaijan established a checkpoint on the Lachin road, taking complete control of it.

After Azerbaijan illegally set up a checkpoint on April 23 on the highway connecting Artsakh to Armenia, the communities of Hin Shen, Mets Shen, Lisagor, and Yeghdzahogh in the Berdadzor subregion of Shushi have found themselves under a bilateral blockade, deprived of all possible connections to both the rest of Artsakh and Armenia. Due to Azerbaijani obstacles, all types of humanitarian supplies to the residents of these villages have also ceased.

However, the fact remains that the road is still closed. Incidents of ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan have increased, as evidenced by the reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense. Due to the lack of international pressure on Azerbaijan, the Armenian population of Artsakh is facing a humanitarian disaster. The toothless calls of the international community have so far been ignored by the Azerbaijani leadership. For 160 days, fundamental human rights have been violated, while international organizations and states remain silent.