Azerbaijan's Ban on Humanitarian Transfers Deepens Artsakh's Humanitarian Crisis

The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, has addressed Azerbaijan's ban on all humanitarian transfers through the Lachin corridor. Following a military provocation near the Hakari Bridge on the morning of June 15, Azerbaijan has blocked all types of humanitarian transfers in both directions, including those involving people and cargo, since the illegal establishment of a checkpoint on April 23, 2023.

This action constitutes yet another gross violation by Azerbaijan of its international obligations to ensure safe and unimpeded transfers as stipulated in the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, and disregards the International Court of Justice's ruling issued on February 22, 2023.

Today, Azerbaijan did not allow the transfer of 25 patients and accompanying persons from Artsakh to Armenia, who were supposed to be accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross, forcing them to return to Stepanakert. Additionally, planned transfers of urgently needed humanitarian aid for individuals in need, as well as vehicles carrying humanitarian cargo along the Stepanakert-Goris highway, have also been canceled.

Azerbaijan is exclusively using the obstruction of humanitarian transfers and aid through the ICRC and Russian peacekeepers, which are already limited, as a means to terrorize the peaceful population of Artsakh, spread fear, exert psychological pressure, and create unbearable living conditions in the region.

The significance and humanitarian importance of the Lachin corridor for the people of Artsakh were clearly reflected in the statement of November 9, 2020, which established a special regime for the corridor. By closing the corridor, which is vital for the population of Artsakh, Azerbaijan is not only grossly violating its international obligations but also reaffirming its real intentions for the annihilation of the indigenous Armenian people of Artsakh.

The Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh has repeatedly alerted the international community about the existential threat posed to the people of Artsakh due to the illegal checkpoint established in the Lachin corridor. Today’s incident once again confirms our concerns and highlights the increasing nature of existing threats, as Azerbaijan's deliberate and criminal blockade of humanitarian transfers further deepens the humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade of Artsakh.