Human Rights Defender Issues Statement on Azerbaijan's Blockade of Humanitarian Deliveries to Artsakh

The Human Rights Defender has issued a statement regarding Azerbaijan's blockade of humanitarian deliveries to Artsakh, noting in particular that:

“For over a week now, humanitarian transfers to Artsakh have been completely halted. These transfers, carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers, were essential during the blockade. The blockade of humanitarian cargoes to Artsakh exacerbates the already dire humanitarian crisis created by the six-month blockade. The already scarce food and medical supply situation poses severe existential threats to our population.

Azerbaijan has continuously advertised humanitarian transfers during the blockade to falsely demonstrate that the corridor is not blocked, effectively weaponizing humanitarian issues. In the face of international inaction, Azerbaijan operates in an atmosphere of complete impunity, disregarding the trilateral statement of 2020 and the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice.

Azerbaijan promises rights while criminally blocking even humanitarian access. It seems that certain international actors blindly believe those promises, deliberately ignoring the reality of Azerbaijan's actions. How long can reality be ignored?

What Azerbaijan proposes is ethnic cleansing and forced subjugation—both cases involve the same crime that grossly violates fundamental human rights: the right to self-determination, freedom of expression, life, and the right to live in one's homeland without discrimination.

Does this situation indicate that all international actors lack the commitment to urgently respond to Azerbaijan? Are you normalizing the genocidal policies pursued by Azerbaijan? In the 21st century, 120,000 people are subjected to inhumane suffering on a daily basis before your eyes, and your response has been mere episodic expressions of concern.

Intentionally obstructing humanitarian access is regarded as a war crime in international law. I again urge you to end this criminal indifference, prevent new war crimes by Azerbaijan, and recognize that the responsibility for the peaceful population of Artsakh also lies with your conscience. Ultimately, indifference and inaction equate to complicity.”